Cascading effects of Texas winter storm bump up spot rates

Spring is here, and the polar vortex of mid-February is in the rearview mirror. But impacts on the spot market linger.

By Jim Stinson • April 7, 2021

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 6, 2021

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Inside the trends affecting logistics management

The demise of the de minimis exception, trade tensions and tariffs are among the new challenges logistics managers are facing.  

By Supply Chain Dive staff

Logistics costs eat into General Mills' margins

The company's CFO said he expects those increased expenses to abate once supply and demand even out and inventory levels are balanced.

By S.L. Fuller • March 30, 2021

Utz resumes converting direct-store-delivery routes to independent operators

The company expects to convert 200-250 routes this year, after pausing the work last year to accommodate for the pandemic and an ERP implementation, the CFO said.

By S.L. Fuller • March 25, 2021

Schneider's plan to reduce carbon with focus on intermodal

Intermodal offers a road to sustainability, but it's a challenge for the speedy delivery consumers want and expect.

By Amanda Loudin • March 25, 2021

Dollar General to curb logistics costs by expanding private truck fleet

The company's existing fleet accounted for more than 20% of outbound logistics at the end of last year, the COO said.

By S.L. Fuller • March 23, 2021

Congress takes on truck driver shortage, reboots bill to permit under-21s to haul interstate loads

Proponents of the DRIVE-Safe Act applaud its ability to bring young drivers into the workforce, but opponents express safety concerns.

By S.L. Fuller • March 16, 2021

Knight-Swift focuses on drop trailers, pools to 'ebb and flow' in volatile market

Flexibility could help ease stressed supply chains, the CEO said. That's one reason the carrier is expanding its fleet of trailers, not tractors.

By S.L. Fuller • March 9, 2021

Coronavirus beams trucking, supply chain into an automated future

XPO Logistics shipped five times more units using robotic technology in 2020 than it did in 2019. 

By Jim Stinson • March 3, 2021

Why interest is growing in private fleet conversion

J.B. Hunt and other trucking firms have seen their pipelines fill, as companies realize transport may be better off in the hands of specialists.

By S.L. Fuller • March 2, 2021

Winter storms squeeze capacity, drive spot rates up 20 cents

Long-haul deliveries and outbound volumes dropped in Texas markets, but analysts said effects may be just a "blip" on the long-term freight market radar.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 25, 2021

Tyson to use real-time data for visibility in warehouse shipments, volume

Data is helping Tyson identify its highest dwell times by facility — its own and those belonging to customers — as well as informing what mitigation actions to take.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 23, 2021

JB Hunt partners with Google to provide shippers real-time visibility

Tight capacity has sent cargo owners scrambling to find trucks. And they're turning to digital brokers that provide as much real-time data as possible.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 19, 2021

Winter storm slams Texas food supply chains, logistics networks

Even with improving road conditions, logistics managers may experience capacity challenges and delayed shipments.

By Shefali Kapadia • Feb. 19, 2021

Shipper, trucker groups applaud FMC on 'strongest step' to demand container information from carriers

The Federal Maritime Commission said failing to follow the agency's interpretive rule on detention and demurrage "might constitute a violation of" the Shipping Act.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 18, 2021

Gatik's autonomous, middle-mile box trucks go electric

The company, known for its partnership with Walmart, is using EV technology in B2B short hauls.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 18, 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

Inflection point: Contract rates overtake spot rates

An ongoing driver shortage coupled with consumer demand will keep spot and contract rates elevated — and could make 2021's first half look a lot like the last half of 2020.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 9, 2021

Sysco plans warehouse, driver hiring push to prep for pandemic recovery

Volumes were low in December, but the company wants to be ahead of the curve. It's thinking ahead to SKU rationalization as a way to improve throughput.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 5, 2021

Harbor truckers dispute millions of detention, demurrage charges as fees surpass $200

Trucking firms may pass added costs down to shippers, depending on the relationship, as well as the terms of the contract between the two parties, HTA's CEO said.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 3, 2021

High-stakes hemp logistics put specialty fleets, willing drivers in demand

Some drivers are hesitant to transport hemp, because laws may vary from state to state. But the rewards are great if it's done right, one trucking executive said.

By Amanda Loudin • Feb. 2, 2021

Tight capacity pushes CH Robinson to the spot market, hikes prices 29%

The market is showing signs of normalization, but pricing for customers will continue "gravitating higher throughout the course of the year," CEO Bob Biesterfeld said.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 28, 2021

XPO CEO: More acquisitions possible once spinoff is complete

Bradley Jacobs turned XPO into a trucking powerhouse over the years by growing the LTL company organically and through absorbing other firms.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 27, 2021

What does shipper of choice mean in 2021?

A history of short dwell times and consistent tendering behavior will be important as carriers prioritize freight in a tight market.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 21, 2021

California proposes points system to hold warehouses accountable for truck emissions

Road transport has been at the forefront of Southern California's emissions crackdown, but it's also one of the most challenging areas for supply chains to curb given the involvement of external parties.

By S.L. Fuller • Jan. 20, 2021