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?
Rapid policy decisions are transforming freight flows.
The spot-to-contract rate spread is just now in line with 2019 levels. How much longer until we see a stronger response?
Spot and tender rejection rates point to a strong tightening in the national truckload market. Is this the end of the freight market recession?
Many of the signs of the end to the freight recession have faded, at least in the short run. A strike and the aftermath of a major hurricane are looming disruptors but probably not enough to sustainably shift the market. But the data still points to the end of this historically loose environment.
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.
The overall freight transportation market may be soft but the natural imbalance in the flow of freight is still able to create pockets of tightness.
Large carriers finally started shedding capacity this summer.
If the spread between contract and spot rates narrows, capacity will become increasingly inconsistent in the second half of the year.
What do historically low rejection rates mean for the truckload industry?
Knight-Swift’s David Jackson and fellow trucking executives sound off on regulations and the economy at TCA’s annual meeting.
The 3PL’s first-quarter update is bearish on truckload rates.
FreightWaves new spot rate forecast supports a slow start to trucking’s peak season.
Declining contract volumes may bring large carriers into the spot market, forcing spot rates into negative margin territory if they are not already there.
Carriers and brokers tend to have the weather on a TV somewhere in their facilities throughout hurricane season because of the dramatic impacts storms can have on their operations and bottom lines. Ian hit at a time when trucking will not be as reactive to this devastating storm.
Carriers gobble up contracted freight, leaving the spot market barren for the holiday week. While not overtly obvious, there is still some semblance of hope for a decent peak season for carriers.
FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller provides insight into the state of trucking contract rates.
Contract rates have grown at their fastest pace in history over the pandemic era. The contract to spot rate spread fluctuation is an argument for smarter and more efficient growth strategies for carriers.
FreightWaves presents the Small Fleet & Owner-Operator Summit on Wednesday, June 15.
The truckload spot market has fallen apart over the past two months. Larger fleets are in far better shape for weathering the storm.
Shippers book maritime containers well before it turns into trucking and rail freight in the U.S. The relationship between international and domestic freight strengthened during the pandemic and they are both pointing toward a summer slump.
FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller analyzes the impact of rising diesel costs on the spot market and the trucking industry.
Many transportation managers and providers are expecting a return to a simpler time, but the data shows simpler times may be a thing of the past.
FreightWaves Founder and CEO Craig Fuller analyzes methods to generate more revenue in a trucking downturn.
Stability lulled transportation managers and providers to sleep in the six years post-recession. The roller-coaster ride of the last four may be more indicative of their future.
FreightWaves SONAR API/Tai TMS customers have a new method to get FreightWaves TRAC and SONAR Capacity Lane Score data.
Carriers are working hard on covering the high-priced West Coast freight, leaving shippers in the Northeast wanting.
People use the term “contract rate” in trucking and think that it is binding. It is not. In reality, it just means a prenegotiated rate both parties have the right to reject at the time of the tender.
There has never been more attention paid to freight transportation than what we are experiencing now. And like the Wall Street Bets crowd on Reddit, our industry loves talking about the direction of the market. While FreightWaves and other industry publications have always talked about freight rates, mainstream media is getting into the game. This […]
The truckload spot market appears to have hit another peak, but quickly rising fuel costs make this appear much larger than it is.
Capacity is retightening in California as demand surges once again. There are new patterns emerging that may lead to a battle for capacity between the two coasts.
Transportation rates continue to climb while service is at an all-time low. Shippers will have to be aggressive in devising new strategies to keep costs under control.
The underlying fundamentals of the market are showing signs of moving slowly back toward a more stable scenario and spot rates may be unable to paint the full picture.
The latest round of winter weather hit transportation hard. How does this compare to other events?
Companies are paying significantly more for transportation than they were a year ago with many contracts yet to be implemented.
Although many questions remain for trucking in 2021, flatbed appears to be poised for a much stronger year.
Bid season is here, which means contract rates are catching up to spot rates and in turn loosening capacity.
Class 8 truck orders are surging signaling carriers are once again willing to invest in their fleets. Does this mean another overcorrection of capacity is in store?
Spot rates continued to increase after the holiday period ended even as capacity returned to the market according to the Outbound Tender Reject Index.
Shippers are willing to pay more to put freight on the rail just to get it moving out of Los Angeles.
International import bookings signal continued strength in the domestic freight market.
MoLo reveals how its “service-always” operating philosophy is affecting financial performance.
Freight is getting crammed into the U.S. West Coast as fast as carriers can pick it up. How long will it last?
Anthony and Zach discuss the dynamic between the spot and contract market as rates continue their wild ride in 2020. Do carriers, brokers or shippers control the spot market?
Reefer capacity has started to show early signs of tightening after experiencing the loosest conditions in years in April. Will van capacity follow suit?
The clear difference between contract and spot rates.
Zach Strickland and JP Hampstead talk about the current state of freight. Outbound tender rejections have dropped to 14%, about where they were on March 18, 2020. Some markets like Harrisburg, PA and Atlanta, GA are performing better due to the demand for specific goods. Why is this happening?
Contracted volumes, tender rejections, and spot rates all fell.
This week in trucking spot rates
Freight brokers expect spot rates to ramp this week, but the long-term outlook is uncertain.
Zach Strickland and JP Hampstead discuss the possibility of e-commerce growth, spending in the service sector, and more. While the effects are yet to be determined, drivers are still out on the road delivering goods throughout the country.
Profitability is the key to any business staying in business. In trucking it is harder than in many other businesses. Chris Henry explores the “trucking profitability paradox.”
FreightWaves SONAR clients will have access to Truckstop.com rates
Ocean, intermodal and trucking data are flashing red. Don’t worry — DAT just made a bullish call on spot rates.
Director of Freight Market Intelligence Zach Strickland is back to chat with Director of Passport Research JP Hampstead about the state of rates this past week. They also talk about the continued impact of the coronavirus and post-Valentine’s Day freight rates.
Diesel costs were supposed to make 2020 more difficult for struggling carriers, but wholesale fuel prices have fallen rapidly, which should help carriers in the slow season.
Chris Henry runs fleet profitability benchmarking and analytics for FreightWaves and facilitates the TCA’s TPP program. If you are interested in benchmarking your fleet’s performance with the best operators, join TCA’s TPP. The data presented in this article come from analytics of over 230 truckload for-hire fleets, representing more than 70,000 trucks. A wise trucker […]
FreightWaves Market Expert Chris Henry provides a look into truckload’s year that was and commentary on a possible path toward consistent profitability.
FreightWaves founder and CEO Craig Fuller writes about the issues the trucking industry dealt with in 2019 and what is ahead in 2020.
Ben Thrower writes about what most in the trucking industry know – 2019 was a tough year for almost everyone.
Brian Aoaeh writes about key trucking events in 2019 and looks ahead to 2020.
In the over-the-road truckload for-hire market, there are two major types of trucking rates: contract and spot
Our rate predictor builds rates from actual freight market conditions, using historically reported data only as a frame of reference.
Trucks are competitively priced on East Coast lanes and offer better service than the railroads.
The forward curve inches lower.
Spooked shippers are trying to lock in capacity ahead of the holiday push.
Contract rates are still sliding down against steady spot rates.
Multi-modal data and channel checks with freight brokers point to a good setup for peak season.
Rates could break out either to the upside or downside.
There are reasons to expect a healthy pop in outbound Los Angeles spot rates.
Chicago to Atlanta should jump in September, LA to Dallas peaks in November, and Seattle to LA hits a high in December.
We caught up with Gary Saykaly, who is running a new Trucking & Freight Derivatives Group at Lakefront Futures & Options.
Lakefront Futures & Options will be marketing Trucking Freight Futures through its new Trucking Derivatives Group. Read the article and learn more about Trucking Freight Futures and Lakefront Futures & Options.
Some signs of a stabilizing market after a long upward run, but nothing that suggests weakness.
