Falling international container volumes have been a silver lining for U.S. ramp operations, but major changes are looming for ocean shipping logistics.
“November’s index data confirms our October forecast, showing a continued pattern of import and export volume decreases,” said ITS Logistics in its monthly port rail/ramp freight index. “With those volume decreases, port, terminal, and ocean carrier operations remain at normal levels and should remain so through November.”
The report rated as “normal” container operations at major ports on the west, east and Gulf coasts as well as international and domestic container rail ramp operations in the western and eastern portions of the country.
But ITS warned that “[a]s we get closer to 2026, there are some items we are keeping a close eye on that could drastically change the landscape in North American port and ramp operations.”
As has been extensively covered in FreightWaves and noted in the report, trucking companies have been exiting the market at an accelerated rate as an extended freight recession has pummeled rates and raised operating costs, leading to increased shutdowns and bankruptcies.
“This, in addition to a federal initiative to remove non-domiciled Commercial Drivers License (CDL) holders from service, could create trucking capacity issues for most shippers,” ITS said. “It is estimated [by transportation economist Noël Perry] that as many as 600,000 drivers could be removed from the U.S. driver ecosystem due to non-domiciled driver and English language proficiency (ELP) enforcement.”
November also saw a “significant spike” in trucking activity on the Pacific Coast from October, likely due “to shippers taking steps to replace actual and potential capacity at risk due to the aforementioned challenges. We will be watching closely throughout the month and providing an update in the December index, as this activity may be the beginning of a trend that could impact 2026 operations.”
This article was updated Nov. 18 to attribute the figure of 600,000 CDL drivers being removed to transportation economist Noël Perry.
Find more articles by Stuart Chirls here.
Related coverage:
Trade volatility hits Hapag-Lloyd profits
Rare October as container volumes, China recovery diverge
Freight Fraud Symposium
Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.
Supply Chain AI Symposium
Past the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
Future of Rail Symposium
Reshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
Double brokering. AI deepfakes. Identity theft. Freight fraud is an existential threat to the industry. Get ahead of it.
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame • Cleveland, OH Register NowPast the hype. Join operators, founders, and enterprise leaders figuring out how to deploy AI in supply chain.
The Old Post Office • Chicago, IL Register NowReshoring is rewriting freight demand. Join shippers, rail executives, and government officials to shape the next decade.
The Signal at Chattanooga Choo Choo • Chattanooga, TN Register Now