Industry Pulse
Keep track of monthly trends for each mode of transportation through this data hub.
-
Tight trucking capacity won't ease until later in 2021
The market has led to increases in freight spending, which was up nearly 17% YoY in February.
By Matt Leonard • April 06, 2021 -
Tight ocean market, extended lead times push shippers to airfreight
Air cargo demand has rebounded to pre-pandemic levels. But capacity remains down with many passenger planes grounded, and pricing is unstable.
By Matt Leonard • March 09, 2021 -
No rate relief in sight for ocean shippers as Lunar New Year passes
If consumer spending doesn't fall off during 2021, the ocean shipping industry could be in for a busy and record-breaking year, one analyst predicted.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 23, 2021 -
Tight capacity puts pricing power in trucking's hands as spot, contract rates rise
Trailer orders are up YoY and fleets say they're trying to hire drivers, but one analyst said it will be the end of the pandemic that will bring drivers back.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 12, 2021 -
Analysts see 'no underlying currents' to loosen tight airfreight capacity
Shippers, forwarders and carriers pivoted to short-term rate negotiations and the spot market as airfreight capacity dropped 18% YoY.
By Matt Leonard • Feb. 04, 2021 -
Intermodal carloads up 12% but railroads struggle with trip plan compliance
Traditional commodities, such as coal, saw volume slump on the rail lines in 2020, but intermodal grew thanks to a tight trucking market and a glut of containers needing to move.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 26, 2021 -
Ocean rates rose through January as ports report record year
Carriers have held off on the blank sailings that usually happen around Lunar New Year, but one forwarder suggested booking loads for spring now as capacity is strained.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 22, 2021 -
Analysts: Restocking in Q1 will keep trucking market hot
Cass' latest Freight Index showed expenditures were up almost 6% in November as rate increases in the spot market have begun to spill over into contracts.
By Matt Leonard • Jan. 05, 2021 -
Airfreight rates from China to US rise 58% ahead of the holidays
The ongoing distribution of coronavirus vaccines could increase annual air cargo demand by 2% and lift airfreight rates in the first half of next year, according to one analyst.
By Matt Leonard • Dec. 22, 2020 -
Restocking is 'alive and well,' giving intermodal its best month ever
Intermodal volume was up 10% YoY in October and saw strong numbers in the first two weeks of November.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 18, 2020 -
Airfreight rates climb as peak nears
Rates between China/Hong Kong and the United States increased by nearly 46% between Oct. 12 and Nov. 9 to reach $7.40 per kilogram, which is more than double the rate during the same time last year.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 09, 2020 -
Carriers talk of adding capacity as tight trucking market continues to raise rates
Shippers could see their freight costs go up — if they haven't already — as they wait for new capacity to enter the market.
By Matt Leonard • Nov. 05, 2020 -
Intermodal volume swells to 4th-strongest month of all time amid restocking, e-commerce boom
It is difficult to project how long the current trend in intermodal volume will last, considering unpredictable variables like coronavirus case numbers and federal relief, one analyst said.
By Matt Leonard • Oct. 13, 2020 -
Capacity constraints limit air cargo's ability to bounce back
A nearly 13% YoY drop in airfreight volume amid improving economic indicators surprised the International Air Transport Association in August.
By Matt Leonard • Sept. 30, 2020 -
August import volume swells above 2019 levels as retailers restock, prep for holidays
High import volume is expected to continue going into September, and the next six months are expected to be stronger than the previous six months.
By Matt Leonard • Sept. 17, 2020 -
Intermodal leads rail volume recovery as retailers restock
Despite what may turn out to be a dramatic recovery for certain segments of the railroads' businesses, pricing is unlikely to shift until 2021, one CSX executive said.
By Emma Cosgrove • Sept. 09, 2020 -
Airfreight rates expected to stay elevated through peak due to loss of belly capacity
Freighter capacity increased 29% in July compared to the same month last year, but the gains were not enough to offset a 70% dip in belly capacity.
By Matt Leonard • Sept. 02, 2020 -
Railroads voice wary optimism for peak as freight volumes make slow progress in July
Intermodal traffic is close to pre-pandemic levels, down 1% compared to July 2019. CSX attributed growing intermodal volumes to retailers replenishing inventories.
By Matt Leonard • Aug. 11, 2020 -
CH Robinson draws airfreight demand with belly capacity down 70% in June
The carrier's airfreight revenue and pricing increased despite hauling less volume — a dichotomy highlighting the struggle shippers face in the current environment.
By Matt Leonard • July 30, 2020 -
Tight truckload market pushes up spot rates in June
Knight-Swift said it expects spot rates to rise through the remainder of 2020 and result in more expensive contract rates for 2021.
By Matt Leonard • July 28, 2020 -
Rail volumes make 'slow recovery' but KCS keeps capacity tight
KCS's intermodal volume began improving as automotive plants reopened and parts were exported to Mexico. But lackluster consumer demand is still a drag on overall levels.
By Matt Leonard • July 07, 2020 -
May airfreight data hints at recovery, FedEx doesn't expect capacity to normalize until 2021
Freight capacity fell more than volume, creating a supply-demand gap and a challenge for shippers to find air cargo space.
By Matt Leonard • July 06, 2020 -
Automotive rail volume remains below pre-pandemic levels as factories reopen
Motor vehicles and parts volume was down 75% year over year in May, according to the latest numbers from the Association of American Railroads.
By Matt Leonard • June 17, 2020 -
Airfreight capacity falls 42%, 'damaging' global supply chains
The drop has resulted in longer shipping times and higher costs for companies moving cargo by air.
By Matt Leonard • June 05, 2020 -
Rail carriers cut capacity as intermodal volume drops 17% in April, the largest fall since 2009
CSX, Kansas City Southern, Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific all mentioned reducing train starts as a result of falling demand during April earnings calls.
By Matt Leonard • May 07, 2020