Zach Strickland

Just in case ordering has diminished the truckload market's utility, specifically for cross continental freight, but that mechanism may come undone later in the year.

Container imports surged to a multi-year high in early July, driven by importers racing to recover lost time after tariff disruptions. While volumes spiked, this early peak doesn’t necessarily signal stronger demand.. As inventories grow more expensive to hold, maritime carriers are bracing for softer demand and more volatile shipping patterns in the months ahead.

Surface transportation rates took a hard right to start the year, thanks to shifting supply chain strategies and a slowing economy. Is this just a pause or is there further to fall?

Truckload capacity tightened noticeably during the annual CVSA International Roadcheck inspection period.

Until recently, surface transportation demand in total was relatively flat with shippers utilizing the rails more frequently. Annual intermodal growth has stabilized, with truckload demand eroding beyond the modal shift offset.

The truckload market is tightening, but not evenly.

Rejection rates that surged over 6% just before Christmas for loads out of Laredo, Texas, have unexpectedly remained elevated.

The spot-to-contract rate spread is just now in line with 2019 levels. How much longer until we see a stronger response?

There is more than meets the eye looking at the aggregate inventory level data. Retailers are shedding goods at a faster rate than their upstream counterparts, making the total look like a wash. This bodes well for 2025 from an economic perspective.

Hurricanes garner most of the attention, given their threat to life and property, but from an operational point of view, transportation managers and providers should probably increase their focus on winter weather.

There are some significant if subtle takeaways from the truckload markets’ shrinking average length of haul.

Shippers are giving longer notice for contracted truckload carriers to pick up their freight. What does this mean?

Spot and tender rejection rates point to a strong tightening in the national truckload market. Is this the end of the freight market recession?

Hurricane Milton was the third large disruptor to transportation markets in three weeks. What happens next?

Nationwide tender rejections are already above 5%.

The truckload market appears to be increasingly stable through a period when it normally isn’t. While the immediate future appears uneventful, the holiday shipping season is anything but certain.

Maritime import demand for the U.S. is as strong as it has ever been, second only to the pandemic boom. What does this mean for the upcoming peak season, and how does it affect domestic transportation?

The wide range of spot and contract rates being offered may help trigger a strong market shift later in the year.

Operating cost inflation is largely hidden, but fuel costs help explain why the domestic truckload market is headed for a turn.

Pricing trends and rejection rates are signaling a market shift is approaching. What should market participants do?