News

Logistics is a fast-paced and always-changing industry. Understanding market dynamics is crucial for staying ahead. Artificial intelligence (AI), in all its forms, is all the rage. Now, logistics professionals can harness the power of AI plus other advanced data solutions and pair it with their existing analytics capability to unlock value and optimize efficiency in…

Demand remains uncertain for carriers as we move through the peak season in trucking. In the latest Trucking Ton-Mile Index (TTMI) release, Professor Jason Miller of Michigan State University said, “Demand continues to move along the bottom of a trough. While September saw a 0.6% seasonally adjusted increase from August, this arises because not-seasonally adjusted…

Around this time of the year, the production of leafy greens moves from major growing regions to California’s Coachella and Imperial valleys and into Arizona – from Salinas, California, to Yuma, Arizona.  This southernmost part of California and Arizona transforms into the “Winter Salad Bowl,” where an estimated 90% of lettuce demand is met between…

DAT has partnered with KnowBe4, a leader in security awareness training, to offer our customers an exclusive discount on their first year of services. This partnership aims to provide businesses of all sizes with valuable resources to enhance their online security and foster a culture of cybersecurity awareness. KnowBe4 offers a comprehensive suite of affordable…

Overtime pay for truckers gains momentum It’s hard to believe that in 2023, truckers, one of the most essential elements of a functioning supply chain, have been denied overtime protection for nearly 100 years. On top of that, their minimum work week starts at 60 hours and is often as high as 70, depending on…

Developing a flexible and agile procurement strategy has always been critical to success in freight. However, the heightened market volatility of the past few years has put a spotlight on the process. Procurement teams are tasked with doing more while spending less as belts tighten and market pressures rise.   In a keynote session at CSCMP…

Demand for flatbed carriers continues to be the flattest in the last seven years, as spot market load post volumes continue below 2019 levels, a notoriously poor year for carriers. As we start November, flatbed load post volumes are 41% lower than in 2019 and 66% lower than in 2018, considered by most to be…

According to Wells Fargo’s Chief Agricultural Economist Michael Swanson, Midwest and Southwest reefer volumes in the frozen food category are being impacted by the “smallest beef herd in decades” due to prolonged drought in essential cattle-ranching states like Texas and Kansas. Drought conditions have regularly occurred in many beef-producing areas, but a prolonged drought in…

Mature businessman working on a laptop. He is sitting at a desk looking serious. He is wearing a tie. Increased freight demand, market volatility and supply chain disruptions over the past two years have created freight market imbalances that forced shippers to enter the spot market in droves. Freight contracts resulting from annual RFP events…

With a transportation market turn on the horizon, supply chains will be a key area of emphasis for executive leaders in 2024. The urgency is high after pandemic-driven disruptions revealed the fragmented state of the U.S. supply chain and the ramifications of lacking resilience. From steep financial losses to brand reputational damage, lessons learned during…

Two important factors of any broker-carrier relationship are trust and familiarity – brokers desire to work with carriers they know to be reliable. Freight matching with trusted carriers allows brokers to spend more time cultivating a robust carrier base and move more freight for their customers.  When brokers moved from DAT Power to DAT One,…

Protecting yourself from fraud is more important than ever. Fraud is a changing and complex topic, but we believe in making things simple. We’ve distilled basic fraud protection down to four key areas:  Know your customer: We’ll walk you through the steps to ensure you know exactly who you’re interacting with, reducing the risk of…

Futuristic HUD digital graph interface over blurry dark blue background. Concept of stock market and trading. 3d rendering double exposure The holiday season is just around the corner and for freight brokers, that means one thing: it’s about to get busy. As the demand for goods surges during this time of year, freight brokers play…

The American Trucking Association’s seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 1.1% in September after increasing by 0.2% in August. Compared with September 2022, the SA index fell 4.1%, the seventh straight year-over-year (y/y) decrease and the largest over that period.  “After hitting bottom in April, tonnage increased in three of the previous four…

There was some positive news for flatbed demand from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) last week – raw steel production increased by 0.2% w/w and was up 3.8% compared to the same period in 2022. That news fell somewhat flat compared to prior years, including 2018, when flatbed demand came off a robust…

The tomato harvest in the Sacramento Valley has just finished, along with the late harvest of almonds, grapes, onions, figs, olives, and plums. Tomato volumes have been substantial, according to Aaron Giampietro from Morning Star, with an estimated 12.9 million tons for the 2023 five-month season, 15% higher than the five-year annual tonnage. Despite the…

We celebrate Halloween this week, and there are signs dry van carriers have benefited somewhat through higher spot market volumes. Of course, these loads were already positioned in freight markets before this week’s big event. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), total Halloween spending is expected to reach a record $12.2 billion. That exceeds…

Against the backdrop of the worsening Middle East crisis, global oil markets are being impacted, driving up oil prices. Many energy firms remained focused on returning money to investors and paying down debt rather than boosting oil and gas production. Going against the trend, energy firms added two oil and natural gas rigs for a…

Remember to be thankful for Minnesota, the so-called “Land of 10,000 Lakes”, when you sit down to Thanksgiving dinner this year. Minnesota is the number-one state for turkey production by a wide margin. So it’s no big surprise that the Minneapolis market area will also be the land of 1,000 loads per day this Thanksgiving…

Today’s truckload transportation market has a lot of moving parts. Between various economic modes, constantly shifting rates, different procurement strategies and pervasive uncertainty, it can be difficult for shippers to feel confident and prepared. Earlier this month at CSCMP Edge 2023, DAT Chief Scientist Dr. Chris Caplice hosted a presentation alongside Steve Raetz, Director of…

The 2023 JOC Inland Distribution Conference took place in Chicago from Sept. 26-28. DAT Freight & Analytics Principal Analyst Dean Croke was among the featured speakers over the annual three-day event, serving as a panelist during the Trucking’s Route to a Rebound keynote session.  Croke was joined on the panel by industry experts Chris Jamroz…

Shippers navigate a variety of risks across their transportation network. Severe weather, fluctuating capacity, demand swings, labor issues, mechanical failures, and infrastructure obstacles disrupt deliveries and lead to delays. In addition, cyberattacks and digitally-enabled cargo theft have emerged as new risks amid the rise of interconnected supply chains. Cybercriminals are increasingly targeting digital supply chains…

As the hope of freight market recovery in 2023 fades, even the forecast scenario for improvement in Q2 2024 is in doubt, according to Prof. Jason Miller of Michigan State University, in releasing the latest Trucking Ton-Mile Index (TTMI). The index is calculated as a weighted geometric mean of physical output, inflation-adjusted sales, or total…

Flatbed carriers looking for market direction received good news last week following the new single-family homebuilding rebounded in September. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, single-family housing starts, which account for most homebuilding, increased 3.2% to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 963,000 units last month. In contrast, single-family building permits, a leading indicator of…

Halloween is next Tuesday, October 31, culminating in peak pumpkin shipping season for reefer carriers, especially out of midwest freight markets in Illinois. This year’s commercial Midwest Region pumpkin crop was in doubt over the summer following 50 days in May and June without rain, raising concerns the crop would not germinate. Despite a challenging…

The September Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) came in at 52.4, up 1.2 from August. This is the second consecutive month of expansion following three straight contraction readings from May-July. While this is the fastest expansion rate since February, a reading of 52.4 is still well below the all-time average of 62.9 and represents a very…

Manufacturing accounts for around 60% of truckload demand, making the most recent data good news for flatbed carriers. Data published by the U.S. Census Bureau reported that new orders for manufactured goods – Factory Orders – increased $6.7 billion, or 1.2%, to $586.1 billion in August. This follows the 2.1% decrease recorded in July and…

The fall holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving signal harvest time for pumpkins, creating more demand for reefer carriers. Smaller pumpkins are already on farm stands around the country. Pumpkin is used to make soups, desserts, and breads, and many Americans include pumpkin pie in their Thanksgiving meals. What’s lesser known is the history of pumpkins…

by Joe Cottone One of the most critical aspects of any broker-customer relationship is the consultative approach – customers desire to work with knowledgeable brokers. Market knowledge is key when it comes to pricing loads and forecasting your cost, but also explaining market trends to your customers. Within DAT iQ, Ratecast and the new iQ…

Protecting your identity and sensitive information is more crucial than ever. At DAT, we understand these challenges and are continually working to enhance security measures for our customers. Here, we will discuss the steps we’ve taken to combat spoofing, introduce multi-factor authentication (MFA), and strengthen password complexity. Taking on spoofing Spoofing, or faking one’s identity…

Although the Institute of Supply Management’s (ISM) Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) increased by 1.4% month-over-month (m/m) in September, economic activity in the manufacturing sector contracted for the eleventh consecutive month. Last month’s PMI reading came in at 49%, with a manufacturing reading above 48.7% over an extended period, generally indicating an expansion of the overall…

For flatbed and specialized carriers, construction spending reveals how much the government and private companies spend on projects, from housing to highways. The more the U.S. spends on construction, the higher the level of economic activity. According to the Commerce Department, spending on construction projects increased 0.5% in August to $1.98 trillion, falling short of…

It’s sweet potato season, meaning reefer capacity could tighten in North Carolina, the leading producer in the United States, accounting for 76% of annual tonnage. For the last eight weeks, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has also reported a slight shortage of trucks in Delaware, Maryland, and the eastern Virginia region, one of…

October is Cybersecurity Awareness Month, the perfect time to learn more about protecting our digital lives. With cybercrime causing over $8 trillion in losses worldwide this year, it’s more important than ever to take steps to secure your devices and data. This post covers the risks you’re facing, and practical tips to mitigate those risks. …

Sales of farm tractors and combine harvesters continue to track closely with the 5-year average, even though last month’s volume was almost 5% lower than in August 2022. In contrast, heavy-duty row crop tractor unit sales continued to increase in the U.S. According to Curt Blades, Senior Vice President of Industry Sectors and Product Leadership…

Fall is the busiest time of the year in Central California; workers at the vineyards and wineries hurry to pick grapes. The peak season lasts from August until October, but some grape varieties can be harvested as late as December. But this season may be a little different – grape prices are expected to be…

The American Trucking Association’s (ATA) advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 0.2% in August after rising 1.1% in July. In August, the index equaled 115.3 (2015 = 100) compared with 115 in July. ATA Chief Economist Bob Costello states, “The evidence is growing that tonnage hit bottom in April and continues its…

Newly built single-family properties comprised a record share of homes on the market in the second quarter of the year, making up nearly one-third of housing inventory nationwide, according to new research from Redfin. New home sales typically make up only about 10% of the market. Low inventory levels of existing homes have kept demand…

Lower import and export levels of temperature-controlled freight contribute to the soft demand reported by reefer carriers. According to data supplied by IHS Markit, both levels are the lowest in five years. In August, national refrigerated import container volumes totaled 148,152 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units), down 12.6% y/y or 21,327 fewer TEU. The top port…

There is no market recovery coming in 2023, and the best-case scenario is for improvement in Q2 2024, according to Prof. Jason Miller of Michigan State University in the release of the latest Trucking Ton-Mile Index (TTMI). The index is calculated as a weighted geometric mean of physical output, or inflation-adjusted sales, or total labor…

The Network Integrity Unit is a specialized team within DAT dedicated to maintaining the integrity of our network. Dedicated employees work around the clock, resolving 100% of network complaints. Their role is crucial – they work tirelessly to prevent fraudulent actors from infiltrating our system, ensuring that your business remains protected. Our team employs advanced…

Despite apple production numbers in the Pacific Northwest falling slightly compared to last year, growers expect final volumes to be up around 20% y/y by season’s end, according to Ignacio Vidales, sales manager for Salix. After two years of shrinking export volumes, Vidales says some factors should help reverse this trend, including “a bigger crop,…

Despite forecasts of a muted peak season for imports, August container import volumes were surprisingly higher than July. This was surprising because of recent reports of excess inventories that still need to be whittled down. However, TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) volumes were only up 0.6% month-over-month (m/m) and remained down by 14% year-over-year (y/y). To…

Futuristic HUD digital graph interface over blurry dark blue background. Concept of stock market and trading. 3d rendering double exposure The blueprint for effective supply chain management (SCM) has evolved. It’s not just about saving money anymore. While financial considerations and budget optimization will always be facets of SCM planning, customer-centric value creation is the…

Steel output in the U.S. in the week ending September 2, 2023, was up by 1.2% compared with the same time frame in 2022, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Year-to-date production through September 2, 2023, was 59,844,000 net tons (NT) at a capability utilization rate of 76.0%. That is down 1.8%…

Cybercrime is an evolving threat, and DAT is ready to lead the industry’s fraud prevention efforts. With over 40 years of experience, DAT understands the industry’s complex challenges. At the heart of this defense is DAT’s Network Integrity Unit, a dedicated team committed to keeping fraudulent actors at bay and safeguarding your business. A legacy…

Structurally deficient bridges adversely impact all carriers but none more so than flatbed carriers; load securement is critical for flatbeds. “The good news is that states are beginning to employ these new resources to address long-overdue bridge needs,” American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) President & CEO Dave Bauer said. As the end of…

California produce volumes were not doing well before Hurricane Hilary hit the West Coast, but now that the damage assessments are in, growers expect to lose around one-third of this season’s grape crop. According to the USDA, this comes at peak-harvest time, when volumes are already 5% lower than last year. “The impact of the…

The $0.71/gal surge in diesel prices since July 4 has devastated small carriers operating in the spot market, especially those lacking access to a fuel surcharge recapture program. Never has there been a more critical time to understand operating costs – diesel has increased to 37% of total costs or $0.69/mile. More carriers elected to…

For brokers, margins are the name of the game. You’ve got to price loads so shippers are happy to work with you, while keeping enough wiggle room to pay carriers and profit yourself. It’s a difficult needle to thread.  Advanced analytics tools like RateView make it easy, though.  RateView is a powerful benchmarking tool based…

Are you a broker looking to optimize, grow, and scale your business? Do you want to maximize your profits and learn innovative strategies to help your brokerage succeed? If so, there’s a conference you can’t afford to miss – DATCON, taking place on October 10-12 at Houston’s Westin Galleria. DATCON isn’t just another industry conference.…

Since the Electronic Logging Devices (ELD) Mandate went into effect in December 2017, just under 1,000 devices from a variety of manufacturers have been registered with the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to act as logging devices for the hours of service regulation. Of the 994 registered, an amazing 159…

The outlook for flatbeds assumes no substantive improvement in current freight market conditions, confirmed on the recent second-quarter earnings call with Daseke, Inc. (NASDAQ: DSKE), North America’s most extensive flatbed and specialized transportation and logistics company. Daseke’s fleet consists of approximately 4,839 total tractors (up 4.1% year-over-year, or y/y) and 10,886 flatbed and specialized trailers…

Food-related products rank at the top of the commodities hauled by reefer carriers. So far this year, protein foods are delivering a different volume than carriers would expect. Data for the first six months of this year showed a distinct lack of herd rebuilding due to lingering drought conditions and higher feed costs. Overall, beef…

New manufacturing orders contracted for the 11th consecutive month in July, according to the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Purchasing Managers Index (PMI). The July New Order Index reading came in at 47.3%, up 1.7% m/m. New order level contraction slowed compared to June as ISM survey panelists’ companies continued to deal with uncertain customer…

The recent U.S. Census Bureau release of residential construction for July surprised most of us who watch this data as an indicator of future flatbed demand. Climbing mortgage rates to near-two-decade highs continue to slow the overall housing market improvement. Meanwhile, new home construction continues to grow amid an acute shortage of existing homes. Single-family…

Hurricane Hilary, the first tropical storm to hit Southern California in 84 years, flooded roads and toppled trees, prompting flood watches and warnings in half a dozen states. The storm hit parts of California’s San Joaquin Valley, bringing rare August downpours that could significantly affect the region’s crops. California’s Central Valley supplies 8% of the…

Recent news of vessel and draft restrictions on the Panama Canal due to drought conditions has not affected most shippers — at least not yet — but the resulting queue of container ships waiting to transit the canal does bear watching for importers moving goods into the U.S. for the coming fall and winter seasons,…

Although the flatbed and specialized carriers market is past peak season, imports of tractors, agricultural machinery, and garden equipment are down 17% y/y and trending close to 2021 levels according to the latest data from IHS Markit. Baltimore is still ranked number one, handling 18.3% of the total tonnage with July volume up 19%  y/y…

At $1.68/mile excluding fuel, refrigerated outbound spot rates in Washington state are almost identical to this time in 2019 – but as usual, they are expected to increase at least another 20% by the end of the year. Over the next few months, during late summer and fall, the Pacific Northwest (PNW) produce season ramps…

Mature businessman working on a laptop. He is sitting at a desk looking serious. He is wearing a tie. As a freight broker, you solve problems. When things don’t go according to plan, shippers rely on you to save the day. The crux of your business becomes knowing how to turn that opportunity into growth,…

In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic sent shockwaves through every industry. While most have regained some sense of normalcy, the transportation and logistics sector continues to experience lingering effects that significantly impact shippers, carriers, and brokers. This June, DAT hosted “A Logistics Jam Session” with Dr. Chris Caplice, Chief Scientist at DAT, and Anbu Kuppusamy, Director…

As shippers are well-aware at this point, the transportation and logistics industry has experienced a significant shift over the past few years as mounting financial pressures and spiking demand pushed the old ways to their limits. Willingness to adapt operations to the new demands of the modern market carried shippers and carriers through as they…

As we look to demand signals through the second half of this year and into 2024, manufacturing changes will be vital to estimating truckload demand. One such demand indicator is the Cutting Tool Market Report prepared by the U.S. Cutting Tool Institute (USCTI) and the Association For Manufacturing Technology (AMT). The report provides a monthly…

Logistics metrics such as transportation, warehousing, and Inventory are leading economic indicators and can point toward potential movements in the overall economy. As we look for signals the freight economy is improving, the monthly Logistics Managers Index (LMI) gives us an insight into what to expect. The LMI surveys logistics professionals who are CSCMP members…

Peak blueberry shipping begins next month, with South American shipments arriving from Peru, Chile, and Colombia, mainly at the Port of Philadelphia. This also coincides with the start of the Pacific Northwest season, which runs from July to the end of September. Imported blueberries account for 75% of annual production, with Peru (36%) the number…

Working with a broker or carrier for the first time can lead to a successful and profitable relationship that will last for years. But in this digital age where carriers and brokers rarely meet in person, it’s good to follow some common-sense rules to ensure your new business partner is who they say they are.…

Diesel price hikes in the last few weeks are beginning to impact the industry. DAT Freight & Analytics’ pessimistic modeling scenario was for this year to shape up just as it did in 2019, while on the optimistic side, forecasts called for an uptick in freight activity in the fall, coinciding with peak shipping ahead…

Steel output in the U.S. in the week ending July 29, 2023, is up by 1.6% compared with the same time period in 2022, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Adjusted year-to-date production through July 29, 2023, was 51,111,000 net tons at a capacity utilization rate of 75.8%. That is down 2.4%…

Within the next three months, we’ll see the seasonal transition where our fruit and vegetables are grown and hauled. The overarching trend is from traditional domestic produce growing regions as the domestic seasons wind down to imports from South and Central America at port markets such as Los Angeles or Philadelphia. Chile and Peru start…

Since the new 1,400-foot berth Leatherman Terminal opened in April 2021, much larger container vessels have been calling on the Port of Charleston, South Carolina. Additional capacity has also resulted in more volume through the port. If we look closely at the number of TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) imported before the new terminal and after,…

The digital landscape is constantly evolving, and with it comes a new wave of cyber threats. Like industries around the globe, DAT is no stranger to the uptick in cyber crime. DAT’s Network Integrity Unit (NIU) has partnered with the FBI to help end fraud such as double brokering or phishing attacks on DAT’s network. …

Lower oil prices generally help truckload carriers through lower diesel costs, but they also point to lower truckload freight volumes directly related to drilling activities. Flatbed carriers in large freight markets like Texas have benefited substantially from higher drill pipe and casing demand, particularly in recent years. More drilling rigs translated into more freight volumes…

The United States ranks 7th in worldwide watermelon production, with Florida, Georgia, Texas, and California leading domestic production. Watermelon is grown in warm places, from Florida to Guatemala, making it available throughout the year in the U.S., with a typical season spanning April to September, with shipping volumes peaking in June – right around the…

Let’s face it, there are only so many loads to go around. A lot stands between you and booking your next load, but the most important one by far, is time. In partnership with OTR Solutions, DAT Load Board offers integrated credit checks right on the main load board. Simply look for the Blue Checkmark to…

With aftershocks of COVID-19 still rippling across industries, it’s safe to say that “unprecedented” is the official buzzword of the decade. However, according to DAT Chief Scientist Dr. Chris Caplice in a recent conversation with Supply Chain Brain at the Gartner® Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2023, the reality of today’s transportation and logistics market isn’t unprecedented…

The two-week strike by the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU) workers in British Columbia was initially over and is now back on. The strike is causing supply chain disruptions because import containers are delayed or diverted to other ports. According to third-party logistics provider ITS Logistics, the labor strike at the ports of Vancouver…

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes in July posted a one-point gain to 56, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) released today. Low inventory levels of existing homes have kept demand solid for new homes even as the industry grapples with rising mortgage rates,…

The Port of Oakland is a central hub for exports in Northern California. Its strategic location and modern infrastructure make it popular for companies shipping goods overseas. The Port of Oakland handles various exports, from agricultural products to manufactured goods.  Most container ships sailing from the Port of Oakland are specifically heading to China and…

Since last October, the number of long-haul interstate carriers leaving the trucking industry has been around twice the rate of those joining the industry. The long-haul freight market is in the process of rebalancing. In the absence of any significant increase in demand, changes in the number of trucks in the market will become the…

The school year may have just ended, but shoppers are already getting ready for the start of school in the Fall. According to the June National Retail Federation (NRF) report, 25% of back-to-school and back-to-college shoppers are already placing orders compared to 17% five years ago. Also, 68% plan to take advantage of major retailer…

Capacity migration is a subject often underestimated and misunderstood by industry experts. Most successful small fleets and owner-operators have a variety of trailer types at their disposal, enabling them to switch between modes based on spot rate and demand levels. An example could include a reefer carrier that changes to bulk liquid haulage in winter,…

Demand for temperature-controlled equipment is typically at its highest during the summer months, peaking right around Independence Day. That’s when spot rates increase and produce volume peaks, but within the space of a month, volume can drop by as much as 25%. From the start of July, the reefer market goes into maintenance mode until…

Stuck in your factoring contract? The thought of switching factoring companies can be a complicated process. However, our partner, OTR Solutions, makes switching factoring companies easy with their dedicated buy-out task force.  This guide will walk you through key considerations to help you identify the following: Should you switch from your current factoring company? The…

Truckload carriers have been experiencing considerable growth in freight volumes in the Southeast and Southwest since the pandemic began in early 2020, and it is likely being sustained based on recent data from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Northeast, traditionally a GDP powerhouse, now contributes less to the national GDP than six fast-growing states in…

Flatbed carriers have moved around 42,000 fewer truckloads of steel this year compared to the first six months of 2022, based on data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Excluding 2020, when global demand crashed, year-to-date steel production tonnage is the lowest since 2018. The AISI reports steel output in the U.S. in the…

The long Independence Day weekend traditionally marks the peak in produce shipping volumes, and after a slow start, national volumes recovered to be up 11% y/y for the week ending July 4. National volumes were almost identical to 2018 and 2019 volumes halfway through 2023. Like last year, weather has significantly impacted this year, with…

As shippers seek to contend with the ever-evolving transportation market landscape, the evolution of data is causing major shifts to the procurement process. On May 8, 2023, DAT Chief Scientist Dr. Chris Caplice gave a presentation at the Gartner® Supply Chain Symposium/Xpo 2023 discussing the rise of data analytics and its impact on transportation procurement.…

Import cargo volume at the nation’s major container ports is expected to be 22% lower during the first half of 2023 than last year despite increased consumer spending, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation (NRF) and Hackett Associates. NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy…

According to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), Four-Wheel-Drive Tractors and Combine Harvesters continue to grow while some other segments continue to decline. Compared to the 5-year average, 2-4WD Tractors and Combine Harvester sales were 6% lower in May. Total farm tractor sales in the U.S. fell 0.7% versus May 2022…

The cherry season in California peaks in mid to late June and winds down quickly after contributing around 22% to the national annual volume in a very short 6-week season. Nearly all of the cherry production is near Lodi, CA, and the Stockton freight market, where the famous Bing cherry variety is grown. This region…

In the last 30 days, watermelons, potatoes, onions, apples, tomatoes, and strawberries have dominated truckload produce volumes but with a twist. Due to the weather-impacted late start to the West Coast season, more volume is coming from Mexico to offset lower volumes in California. Still, national volumes are down around 4% y/y, according to the…

Almost a month into Hurricane Season, the U.S. has seen its first tropical storm with a second forming, two of 12 to 17 total named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher) predicted by NOAA this season. NOAA’s outlook for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season, which goes from June 1 to November 30, indicates a…

Fraud is everywhere. From phishing and spyware to identity theft and hacking, fraud comes at us from every angle, and scammers have more tools at their disposal than ever before. It impacts our personal lives and puts every business in every industry at risk. DAT is no different. As the operator of North America’s largest…

Over the past two months, hundreds of wildfires have spread across Canada, resulting in mass evacuations and the destruction of millions of acres. From May to September, Canadian wildfires or forest fires are common in forested and grassland regions. According to locals in British Columbia,  such widespread destruction this early in the season is rare. According…

As a new broker, you’re going to do some cold calling.  The tried and true method of connecting with potential customers hasn’t gone out of style, but you can’t go into it without the proper prep work. Let’s talk about what all needs to happen before you hop on the phone.  Pick your spot Prospecting…

Read our free ebook, “Finding Shippers,” and grow your business Strong carrier networks are the bread and butter of any freight brokerage. Without them, you’ve got nothing. No way to move goods, no way to make money.  Brand new brokers face obstacles in building a network at the beginning. Typically, it takes a new brokerage…

What do you do once you’ve secured consistent shippers as your customer base? Now that you’re operating on solid ground, built on long-term partnerships and organizational efficiency, this is a good time to step out and tackle new areas of business. The stability you worked so hard to create fuels your expansion now.  Expansion can…

A late start to the spring construction season as weather conditions improve and wildfires in critical lumber-producing regions in Canada, including Alberta and Nova Scotia, could impact lumber volumes for flatbed carriers. Focusing on the freight-intensive single-family home building segment, higher interest rates, and construction costs have slowed development significantly. According to the National Association…

Hunt’s Point Produce Market (HPMM), the largest produce market in the U.S., has outgrown the facilities’ storage, using diesel-powered reefer trailers as extra storage. Around 1,000 of them, to be precise. Old reefers being used as storage at produce markets across the county is not new, but at this scale, it starts to cause significant…

Depending on who you talk to, the economy is headed for a recession or, more recently, a “soft landing,” as outlined by the National Retail Federations (NRF) June edition of the Monthly Economic Review. In the last year, we’ve heard economic pundits describe the state of the economy using terms such as the U.S. is…

Since last October, the truckload sector has seen more carriers leave the industry than join. Since 2014 DAT Freight & Analytics has been tracking the spread between carriers obtaining new authorities or reactivating existing ones (green bars in the chart below) and those exiting the industry (red bars). The spread or difference between the two…

Flatbed carriers are moving around 37,000 fewer truckloads of steel compared to the start of June last year, based on data from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). Excluding 2020, when global demand crashed, year-to-date steel production tonnage is the lowest since 2018. The AISI reports steel output in the U.S. in the week…

In the last 30 days, watermelons have dominated national truckload tonnage as the number one commodity shipped, a spot usually held by potatoes. In May, almost 765 million pounds, or nearly 18,000 truckloads of seedless watermelons, were shipped, followed by potatoes (596 million pounds) and apples (445 million pounds). According to the USDA, 55% of…

  The siloed nature of traditional shipper-carrier relationships is officially in the rear view mirror. From socioeconomic volatility and rapid demand swings to seasonal supply chain disruptions and rising fuel costs, organizations are navigating more complexity than ever during day-to-day operations – making effective collaboration between shippers and carriers increasingly critical to success.  In a…

The transportation logistics industry is no stranger to uncertainty. With seasonality shifts, demand fluctuations, rate volatility, and severe inclement weather, organizations have a wide range of variables to consider when designing their operational models. And while these variables are oftentimes outside of their control, what can be controlled is how prepared shippers respond to them.…

The American Trucking Association’s advanced seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index fell 1.7% in April after decreasing 2.8% in March. Compared with April 2022, the SA index decreased 3.4%, which was the largest year-over-year decrease since February 2021.  “While the broader economy continues to surprise and thus far stave off an expected recession, the…

For flatbed carriers, especially those in Texas and neighboring states, the falloff in oil and gas drilling activity is something to be concerned about. According to Baker Hughes, the U.S. oil and gas rig count fell by 44 in May, the biggest drop in three years as energy firms curtail investment in new drilling rigs.…

Traditionally the impact on spot rates over the summer resulting from increased demand for fruit and vegetables is significant. In a typical year, reefer spot rates increase on average by $0.29/mile between mid-April and July 4. Last year that didn’t happen mainly due to the multi-year drought in California, resulting in national reefer rates increasing…

Builder confidence in the market for newly-built single-family homes in May increased by five points to 50, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI). This marks the fifth straight month that builder confidence has increased and is the first time sentiment levels have reached the midpoint mark of…

Understanding the demand for produce is critical to understanding supply and demand, and a great place to start is your local festival. Most produce-growing regions love to celebrate their annual harvest and typically hold a significant festival each year around the peak harvest time. Here are some key dates to watch: Florida Strawberry Festival –…

Some recent truckload demand indexes align to paint a gloomy picture for truckload carriers looking for a rebound in freight demand this year. So far, many of the publicly traded trucking companies reported that they didn’t see the usual seasonal bounce in freight volumes in March that they expected, according to Prof. Jason Miller at…

The Spring 2023 Semiannual Economic Forecast by the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) forecasts the U.S. economy will continue to expand softly for the rest of 2023. The ISM expects the remainder of 2023 “are similar to those expressed in December 2022, despite continued inflation and geopolitical uncertainty”, according to Timothy R. Fiore, Chair of…

The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) increased in April to its highest level since May 2022, jumping 5.5 points to 66.8. Year over year, the full index is down 1.7 points. All six of the HPSI’s components increased monthly, most notably the component associated with consumers’ expectations of mortgage rates. While the component…

The substantial development of new warehouses along our interstates has been hard to miss in the last two years. Newmark has conducted a report that explores factors driving accelerated sector growth and quantifies key metrics for top U.S. cold storage markets experiencing expansion. According to Newmark, national cold storage development hit an all-time high of…

One of the great joys of trucking is the joy our work brings to children. When we’re young, the image of a giant truck soaring by on the highway is a pure marvel – like you’re seeing a real-life Transformer. And if you’re the type of trucker who responds to passers-by pantomiming horn pulls with…

Produce season is upon us, and you don’t have to be hauling food to feel its effects. It’s a time of year when demand for trucks is near its highest. And when demand rises, rates follow. That’s why this is a time of year most carriers look forward to, especially when freight markets have been…

Higher levels of commercial construction activity are offsetting the well-documented slowdown in residential construction. Boosted by new developments for electric vehicles, schools, e-commerce warehouses, manufacturing plants, and more recently, infrastructure projects, flatbed and specialized carriers are seeing more robust than expected demand this year. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, construction spending for non-residential projects…

The 2023 produce season starts in the Southeast but is driven by California regarding the market-wide lift truckload volume and spot rates. The multi-year drought in California suppressed the 2022 produce season; this year, it’s impacted by extensive flooding in January and March. The area worst affected by the flooding was the Salinas Valley, where…

The U.S. Bank Freight Payments Index is based on more than $46 billion in freight payments annually and provides a quarterly look at the domestic truckload and less-than-truckload freight market. There were some mixed signals in the recently published first-quarter report for 2023. Even though the volume of shipments decreased by just over 6% compared…

The transportation logistics industry has seen its fair share of ups and downs in recent years – from the COVID-19 pandemic to recent supply chain issues. Now, in response to this tumultuous environment, the logistics industry has become increasingly data-driven. To help optimize supply chains, predict and prepare for market shifts, better understand performance, and…

In the past decade, data has become perhaps the most important tool a company can use to make strategic decisions and see success. In light of this, Dr. Chris Caplice sat down with Scott Friesen, EVP of Strategic Analytics for Echo Global Logistics, for an episode of Freightvine.  In this episode, the pair discuss the…

About 84% of U.S. adults are expected to spend a record $35.7 billion this coming Mother’s Day, representing an increase of $4 billion from 2022’s record spending, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF). Their recently released annual survey indicates consumers plan to spend an average of $274.02 on Mother’s Day items. Whichever way you…

Although housing construction activity has slowed faster than most expected, the extensive construction of new commercial warehouses along our nation’s interstate highways is hard to ignore. The flatbed freight market has been surprisingly robust this year following two years driven mainly by record levels of housing construction. The contraction in the latter has been offset…

If you think of tulips, you’d most likely think of the Netherlands and the patchwork quilt of colored tulips this time of the year. The Netherlands now leads the global tulip trade centered around the world’s largest flower auction in Alsmeer, a stone’s throw from Amsterdam’s Schipol Airport. Such is the Dutch global dominance of…

U.S. single-family homebuilding increased for a second straight month in March, following a 3.36% sequential gain. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, building permits, a leading indicator of future flatbed demand, increased by 4% m/m, offering some glimmers of hope for the depressed housing market ahead of the busy spring selling season. The industry started…

As we head into planting season, combine harvester sales in the U.S. and Canada continue to grow while tractor sales are tracking closely with their 5-year average, according to the latest data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM). This is good news for flatbed and specialized carriers looking to gauge service demand this season.…

Almost every week, the USDA reports a slight shortage of trucks to haul sweet potatoes in Eastern North Carolina despite the season being well past the shipping peak in November each year. According to the USDA, the coastal plains region of North Carolina produced around 67% of total annual sweet potato production in the last…

The March reading of The Cass Freight Index shipments component fell 1.0% m/m in March as freight markets continue to work through an extended soft patch. “Mild weather this winter and Omicron a year ago supported volume comparisons in January and February, so the lower result in March was unsurprising. Soft real retail sales trends…

For flatbed carriers and brokers, Texas has been a strong performer benefiting from the 2022 coastal shift in imports away from the West Coast. At $2.33/mile, excluding fuel, outbound linehaul rates in Texas are at the second-highest level in seven years. They are a direct result of the substantial increase in breakbulk import volumes into…

Around 10% of all containers imported into the U.S. are refrigerated, unlike their non-refrigerated counterparts, which mostly come from Asia and arrive on the West Coast—quite the opposite. According to the latest data from IHS Markit/Piers, almost half of March refrigerated imports came from Central America; 25% were loaded with bananas, with just under 60%…

The February 2023 reading of the for-hire trucking ton-mile seasonally adjusted index produced by Yemisi Bolumole and Jason Miller at Michigan State University (MSU) saw demand flat compared to January 2023 and down 1% y/y. The ton-mileage index is derived from the physical quantity output for 41 freight-producing industry sectors. According to Professor Miller, “Demand…

The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index (HPSI) increased 3.3 points in March to 61.3, it remains only slightly above its all-time low set late last year. The HPSI indicates future flatbed demand for truckload carriers based on a monthly survey of 1,000 consumers who make household financial decisions. Survey questions ask consumers whether they…

The Georgia peach season has suffered a setback this year. After a warmer winter followed by several days of freezing temperatures in March, Georgia peach farmers “fear a brutal, one-two punch may have wiped out much of their crop.” At the start of March, Georgia’s oldest operating peach packinghouse Dickey’s Farms, reported peach trees were…

The March Logistics Managers’ Index (LMI) came in at 51.1, down -3.6 from February and the lowest reading for the overall index in the 6.5-year history of the LMI. The March result is driven by an all-time low in Transportation Prices, down (-5.0) to 31.1. The LMI score combines eight unique components of the logistics…

According to the nation’s supply chain executives in the latest Institute for Supply Management (ISM) Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index (PMI), economic activity in manufacturing contracted in March for the fifth consecutive month following a 28-month period of growth. At 46.3%, the March Manufacturing PMI is at its lowest level since May 2020, when it registered…

One of the more critical dates on the annual produce calendar is the Vidalia onion “pack date,” signaling the start of the produce shipping season. Each year Vidalia onion devotees eagerly await the announcement of the pack date or time shoppers will soon be able to purchase the product, which is only available for a…

The alcohol industry produces an estimated 20,000 truckload equivalents each week, hauled mainly by truckload carriers, but it has yet to be all froth and bubbles for beverage makers. The world’s largest brewer, AB InBev, reported a fall in sales volume at the end of last year as steep price increases prompted a drop in…

It’s not peak season for tractor sales until April, coinciding with planting season, and although volumes typically decrease in February, last month’s 19.4% decrease was higher than last year. Total farm tractor sales are also down 17.2%year-to-date. Two smaller categories, 100+ HP 2WD and 4WD tractors, were up 2.7% y/y and 55% y/y, respectively. Compared…

Located in DAT’s Brooklyn, NY, freight market, the Hunts Point Produce Market (HPPM) is regarded as the largest produce market in the U.S., with roots dating back to 1790. Situated on nearly 120 acres in the Bronx, on its busiest day, typically right before Thanksgiving, it can handle 30 million pounds of produce. Thousands of…

For some time now, we’ve been wondering if and when Class 1 railroads will take advantage of the shift in imports from the West Coast to the East Coast. Wait no longer. Ari Ashe at the Journal of Commerce reports Norfolk Southern Railway (NS) will launch a new international intermodal service between the Port of…

The Port of Baltimore’s six public marine terminals handles autos, roll-on/roll-off (RoRo), containers, forest products, and project cargo. The port also handles more RoRo farm and construction machinery than any other U.S. port. Baltimore’s proximity to the Midwest’s major farm and construction equipment manufacturers has helped it become the leading U.S. port for combines, tractors,…

Who would have thought that in the space of a year, California would go from a multi-year drought to a series of atmospheric rivers to devastating flooding, landslides, and inaccessible farmland? Lettuce growers are nearing the end of the season in Yuma, AZ, or what’s known as the Winter Salad Bowl, where 90% of leafy…

Seize the moment and take back control of your rates What would you give to know you’re spending the right amount to move goods and eliminate all the guesswork? The market has shifted, and shippers have more leverage than they’ve had through the pandemic. Now is the time to optimize your spend so you can…

You made the first step – you’ve got your authority and you’re off the ground as a freight broker. You’re learning the ropes, expanding both your customer base and carrier network. What’s next? How do you keep the momentum going on your journey upward? That’ll give us a good place to start our conversation on…

The February Logistics Managers Index (LMI) came in at 54.7 in February, down (-2.9) from January’s reading of 57.6. While the overall diffusion index remains in expansion territory (values above 50 indicate expansion and below indicate contraction), February’s numbers broke the streak of two consecutive readings of increased growth. Notable movers in February were Transportation…

For the week ending on March 11, 2023, domestic steel mills made 1,677,000 net tons representing a decrease of 2% y/y or 60,000 tons or the equivalent of 2,400 fewer flatbed truckload equivalents. The capability utilization rate was 75%, down from 78.7% the previous year. The current week’s production represents a 1.9% decrease from the…

There’s a chance your produce has traveled more than you have. Consider that 2.6 million registered truck tractors are on our roads daily, and 70% of all U.S. agricultural products are shipped by truck. The average food item travels approximately 5,120 miles through the supply chain to reach your store. National Geographic reporters followed a…

It’s been a tough few years for shippers. With little to no leverage, shippers were forced to pay the rates demanded of them by carriers. They had their hands tied, and they didn’t have much choice except to pay the piper if they wanted to get products to market.  But now things are changing. You’ve…

While overall truckload freight volume is holding steady for now, according to the latest ATA Truckload Tonnage Index, recent less-than-truckload (LTL) earning calls point to market softness following two years of volume increases. According to the Kearney 2022 Logistics Report, LTL freight transactions account for around 10% ($83 billion) of the $830 billion motor-carrier freight…

The flatbed sector is off to a bustling start in 2023, boosted by significant projects resulting from the Infrastructure Bill and warmer weather, particularly in the Northeast. While the housing construction sector remains the wild card for flatbed carriers assessing the 2023 demand outlook, recent earnings calls from home improvement companies Lowes and Home Depot…

Located just an hour’s drive from Detroit on the shores of Lake Ontario is the produce-growing region in Leamington, ON. At the region’s heart is the Ontario Greenhouse Vegetable Growers (OGVG), established in 1967 and representing approximately 170 members who grow greenhouse tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers year-round on over 3800 acres. According to Richard Lee,…

The American Trucking Association’s advanced, seasonally adjusted (SA) For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index rose 0.7% in January following the 1% m/m gain last December. Compared with January 2022, the SA index increased by 1.5%, the seventeenth year-over-year gain almost identical to early 2020 levels just before the pandemic took hold. ATA’s For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index is…

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), U.S. agriculture tractor sales finished January 2023 in the negative, while in contrast, all segments of agriculture equipment grew in Canada. The January AEM report notes total U.S. agriculture tractor unit sales fell for the month of January in all segments except one, with 100+hp 2WD tractors…

We’re almost midway through Lent, and those observing the religious tradition will also abstain from eating meat on Fridays up to Easter. As a substitute, many turn to various fish recipes, and fish, including the  McDonald’s Filet-O-Fish, a popular option during Lent for decades. According to McDonald’s, which uses wild-caught Alaska Pollock in approximately 300…

What’s step one to kick off your business’ next growth stage? It all starts with the right TMS.  Click here to see the TMS that scales with you. But let’s level the playing field – what is a TMS?  A transportation management system (TMS) is a software platform that allows logistics professionals to streamline the…

The question most are asking is about the 2023 freight outlook following what can only be described as an unprecedented and volatile three-year period. Two-thirds the way through the first quarter of 2023, traditionally the quietest on the freight calendar, some early signs are emerging. Last week the Cass Shipments Index reported shipment volumes were…

Home builders feel more confident as the year progresses based on The National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, which increased by the highest sequential amount years. Homebuilder confidence for newly-built single-family homes in February rose 7 points to 42, according to the NAHB HMI, the highest reading since September and the most…

This week, the strawberry shipping season ramps up in the Winter Strawberry Capital of the World, centered around Plant City, FL. Even though most U.S. strawberry production comes from California (68%) and Mexico (21%) over the course of the year, Florida and Mexico produce the bulk of the winter strawberry crop for U.S. consumers, according…

Portrait of an African American female truck driver, viewed from the outside of her commercial truck. Smart businesses take advantage of every opportunity. They act proactively because more opportunities means more business.  If you could guarantee you had more opportunities to grow and scale, wouldn’t you? DAT One offers 2.5x as many opportunities as the…

“Don’t bet against LA,” was the message from Port of Los Angeles Executive Director Gene Seroka following the steep decline in imports, according to the AJOT. A softening in consumer demand, a loss of cargo to East and Gulf coast ports, and the stalled dockworker contract negotiations between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU)…

Fastmarkets report a record-setting surge in Southern Pine exports to Mexico propelled total U.S. softwood lumber shipments to a 30-year high in 2022. Shipments of all species to Mexico climbed to 385 million board feet last year, up 8% from 2021 and the third-highest annual total on record. For the first time since 2016, Mexico…

Tyson Foods, Inc. (TSN), one of the world’s largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein with brands including Tyson, Jimmy Dean, and Ball Park, reported lower earnings in the first quarter due to falling beef and pork sales. Chris Casey at Fooddive reports, “In a call with analysts, CEO Donnie King said supply…

The tree of market conditions is bearing ripe fruit for shippers. With rates falling, carriers can’t demand higher prices – there’s room to negotiate and wiggle, which means you’ve got all the cards you need to play some winning hands. There’s good news incoming: the market is handing shippers some leverage, and you’re poised to…

The latest releases of manufacturing survey data for January are encouraging as we look ahead to what 2023 has in store. Although S&P Global and the Institute of Supply Management ISM manufacturing indexes show a decline in their respective diffusion indexes for the prior three months after 28 months of growth, we are not seeing…

The Port of New Orleans (Port NOLA) is uniquely located on the Mississippi River near the Gulf of Mexico — with access to 30-plus major inland hubs such as Memphis, Chicago, and Canada via 14,500 miles of waterways, six Class I railroads and interstate highways. The trucking industry plays a vital role in the daily…

Regarded as the fasted growing and largest refrigerated port in the U.S., the Port of Philadelphia (PhilaPort) is home to the Packer Marine Terminal, adjacent to the Interstate 95 and 76 freight corridors. Processing around 300 reefer trucks daily, PhilaPort is within a day’s drive by truck to a third of the U.S. population, making…

The growth in warehouse capacity in Phoenix is something to see, and one truckload carriers must keep an eye on. Current developments are hard to miss as you travel along I-10 west leading to Ontario and Los Angeles, as are the traffic snarls caused by never-ending highway construction. Current warehouse development extends 37 miles west…

Last week’s release of the U.S. Bank National Shipments Index reported contracted a 4.6% decline during the final quarter of 2022. That drop is the most significant sequential decline since the first quarter of 2021 after decreasing for the last five quarters. Compared to the final quarter of 2021, the index contracted 7.1%, the most…

This Sunday, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles square off in the Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona. The big day also coincides with peak shipping of the delicious Hass avocado from Mexico. Michoacán, the only Mexican state with certification to export avocados to the U.S., exports 84% of the avocados grown to the…

Intermodal provides a valuable complement to truckload regarding a shipper’s choice of transport mode for long-haul freight. Intermodal is typically slower than full truckload shipping (transportation takes at least one day longer on most lanes) and is more complex (it involves multiple parties). The benefits are considerable, though. They include cost-savings on high-volume lanes, especially…

Texas flatbed carriers are enjoying some of the best outbound spot rates in the past seven years. At an average linehaul rate of $2.19/mile, only last year has been higher for the third week of the year when rates were $2.54/mile. Boosted by more substantial imports across the southern border and through the Port of…

After years of drought, rain is welcome news for California farmers of every commodity. Within 12 months, Californian farmers have gone from the grips of a multi-year drought and reduced crop acreage to concerns about the amount of water running off into the ocean. In just a few weeks, historic storms have hammered California, resulting…

The ports of Savannah and Brunswick, Georgia’s deepwater ports, together with inland terminals in Chatsworth, Bainbridge, and Columbus, are Georgia’s gateways to the world. According to data from IHS Markit, Savannah exported the second-highest number of reefer containers in December last year (14% of the total) behind Oakland, CA (17%). Savannah ranks number four on…

Record-level wage increases over the past three years continued well into the fourth quarter of 2022, according to data compiled by The National Transportation Institute (NTI). Gains in base wages — mileage and hourly pay — were reported across fleet type, industry segment, driver job type, and all experience levels. Likewise, motor carriers and private…

After the pandemic pushed truckload rates into record-setting highs, the freight marketplace entered a down cycle in 2022. This puts motor carriers in a very different position entering the new year. Higher expenses affect all businesses, but motor carriers operating in the spot market have felt the pain more than most, caught between falling linehaul…

On top of the solid report on mortgage volume earlier today comes another hopeful report from the construction industry. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) says builder confidence in the new home market has improved for the first time in January after 12 straight months of declines. According to NAHB’s chief economist Robert Dietz,…

What a difference a year makes. Twelve months ago, we were talking about constrained truckload capacity and surging demand, as disruptions and bottlenecks piled up to wreak havoc on supply chains. A year later, transportation providers and purchasers have a different cloud of uncertainty hanging over them – the economy.  Is a recession coming (or…

The current inverted market – where contract rates are well above spot rates – has presented plenty of opportunities for brokers. The historic gap between those rates has allowed for larger profit margins than were possible during the height of the pandemic.  That gap will not continue indefinitely, and the shifting markets put a greater…

The results from last year’s Operation Safe Driver Week give carriers and drivers of preview of what’s in store this year. Last July, Canadian and U.S. officers pulled over more than 35,000 commercial motor and passenger vehicles. They issued 26,164 warnings and citations to commercial motor vehicle drivers and passenger vehicle drivers engaging in unsafe…

According to Fastmarkets 2023 Outlook, “widespread economic turmoil, including interest rates that soared to the highest levels in more than a decade, overshadowed the fact that 2022 was a banner year in the U.S. softwood lumber industry by historical standards. Fastmarkets’ latest projections indicate U.S. housing starts will drop 12.8% from last year due to…

A series of atmospheric river events has brought much-needed rain to California and some relief to dried-out almond farmers. Multi-year drought conditions should ease boosting reservoir levels. However, according to the latest reports, levels are still below the Jan average, with a lot of excess rain expected to end up in the ocean. Produce supply…

While California’s recent storms have caused widespread localized flooding, high winds, property damage, power outages and a number of deaths, they have not yet shut down the state’s key interstates, most major state highways or its ports. The storms that have been punishing California since Christmas are being caused by atmospheric rivers, which meteorologists call…

As the retail shopping season nears the finish line, December import volumes confirm a non-existent peak season in the retail sector. According to IHS Markit, TEU, (twenty-foot equivalent unit) import volumes were down 1% m/m and 12% y/y in December, and unlike prior years, import volumes are slowing rapidly. Since the peak in imports in…

The outlook for flatbed carriers in the housing construction industry continues to worsen. According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), homebuilder sentiment in November dropped for the 12th straight month to the lowest since 2012. Regionally, the sentiment was strongest in the Northeast and weakest in the West, where prices are highest.  Single-family…

As the early stages of the 2023 produce season begin in southern latitudes, including Florida and Arizona, the 2022 calendar year was a disappointment for reefer carriers. The year ended with total produce volumes at 2016 levels. According to the USDA, weekly truckload volumes of produce ended the year down by 8.5% compared to the…

Of the thousands of dry van destinations, 10 stood above the rest. For various reasons, these are the top 10 dry van markets of 2022. Do these surprise you? Atlanta, GA  Dallas, TX  Chicago, IL  Los Angeles, CA  Fort Worth, TX  Ontario, CA  Joilet, IL  Houston, TX  Columbus, OH  Charlotte, NC   Lucky for you,…

Though temp-control trucks are heading in every direction, we looked deeper and found the top 10 temp-control markets. Do any of these surprise you?  Atlanta, GA  Chicago, IL  Dallas, TX  Fort Worth, TX  Fresno, CA  Fayetteville, AR  Joilet, IL  Los Angeles, CA  Lakeland, FL  Ontario, CA   Lucky for you, you don’t need to be…

Despite the economic headwinds facing many industries, there are strategic opportunities for transportation professionals in the new year. Taking advantage of them will require collaboration with your trusted partners, and those relationships will prove critical in 2023.  Of course, there are the usual suspects when it comes to freight disruptions – hurricanes, snowstorms, etc. –…

Flatbeds constantly crisscross the country, but 10 cities were flatbed magnets in 2022. We’ve combed through over $137B of logistics invoices from last year and found the top 10. Do any of these surprise you?  Houston, TX  Dallas, TX  Fort Worth, TX  Savannah, GA  Birmingham, AL  Cleveland, OH  Atlanta, GA  Chicago, IL  South Bend, IN …

As the retail shopping season nears the finish line, November import volumes confirm a non-existent peak season in the retail sector. According to IHS Markit, TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit) import volumes were down 9% m/m in November, and unlike prior years, import volumes are slowing rapidly. Since the peak in imports in May this year…

On top of the crash in the building market creating a gloomy outlook for flatbed carriers in 2023, news of pine trees dying in significant numbers in Oregon further complicates the Pacific Northwest demand outlook. In addition to being the number one state for producing Christmas Trees, Oregon is also a major supplier of lumber…

Avocados From Mexico are looking to make a touchdown on February 12, 2023. The Super Bowl is the biggest occasion of the year for Avocados from Mexico, with peak-shipping season coinciding with the NFL end-of-season event in Phoenix, AZ. Over the course of a year, U.S. truckload carriers will move around 95,000 truckloads of avocados,…

The latest data for new equipment orders from ACT Research for November indicate carriers continue to have a bullish outlook for 2023. Preliminary new Class 8 truck net orders continue at robust levels, with November’s 33,000 orders down 22% m/m but up 245% y/y against easy comparisons to last year when order books remained closed.…

Like most produce growers in California, grape growers also faced various challenges in 2022. Katie Driver, Technical Services Manager for UPL North America, described the year as a “wild ride for agriculture starting with a frost that came through in the spring wiping out some grape crops and forced some tough decisions for growers. It’s…

Reefer carriers still feel the aftershocks of September’s Hurricane Ian, the deadliest storm to hit Florida since 1935. Heavy rainfall, flooding, and infrastructure wind damage have delayed the start of the Florida produce season. According to the USDA, weekly truckload volumes of fruit and vegetables are currently 35% lower than at the beginning of December…

The third quarter of 2022 was another excellent one for Daseke, Inc. (NASDAQ: DSKE), the largest flatbed and specialized transportation and logistics company in North America. As of September 30, Daseke’s fleet consists of 4,649 tractors (up 3.1% y/y) and 11,028 flatbed and specialized trailers (down 2.1% y/y) and has operations throughout the United States,…

According to USDA, weekly truckloads of citrus at the start of December were down 19% y/y underscoring what a difficult year the California produce market has experienced. It’s not just citrus that has been impacted by the West Coast pandemic, port congestion, truckload supply, and weather; total state produce volumes are down 54% y/y over…

Recent months have been rough for small carriers and owner-operators. The impacts of high fuel costs, inflation, and more have made it especially challenging to keep operating costs low and maintain the same profit levels.  DAT’s analysis shows that costs today are around $2.01/mile, up from approximately $1.77/mile a year ago. This represents a 14%…

Company reviews are standard fare for purchasing decisions. Smart businesses leverage them to entice and inform potential buyers, to great effect: 77% of consumers always or regularly read company reviews before making a purchase.   But now, reviews have moved away from consumer-facing spaces. They’ve put down roots in the B2B world, too. Thousands of brokerages…

Truckload demand may well be cooling unseasonably in the fourth quarter, but according to the American Trucking Associations’ For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index, truck tonnage increased by 2.8% in October compared to the previous year. This was the fourteenth straight year-over-year gain, although tonnage decreased sequentially by 2.3% in October after rising 0.8% in September. The…

For flatbed carriers looking to demand indicators through year-end and into 2023, the recent Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) October report and fourth-quarter results for Deere & Company (DE (NYSE) are important indicators to evaluate. According to the AEM, construction and agriculture equipment manufacturers face supply chain disruption for input components. However, a resolution of…

According to the USDA, weekly truckload volumes of produce are currently around 2016 levels and down by 13% compared to the previous year. In the Pacific Northwest, where the Fall produce season is still underway, weekly volumes before Thanksgiving were up by 13% compared to last year and almost identical to 2020 volumes. In Idaho’s…

Unlike last season’s natural and artificial Christmas tree shortage, this year’s supplies look good, with U.S. consumers planning to decorate their homes for Christmas earlier this year. According to a Wakefield Research survey of 1,000 Americans, 79% of participants agreed that the earlier they decorate for Christmas, the more holiday spirit they experience.  This time…

Truckload demand remains strong despite the headline-grabbing talks of a freight recession. All reputable and representative truckload demand indicators point to volumes being up year-over-year, not down. If you have significant exposure to retail freight, volumes are certainly lower than in previous years, but that’s just one segment of the truckload industry. According to the…

The Baker Hughes oil and gas rig count, an early indicator of future output and flatbed demand, increased by three units to a total of 782 in the week of November 18, the highest since March 2020. Compared to the previous year, the rigs count is up 219 or 39%, although current levels are still…

Last week, Church Brothers Farms in Salinas, CA, made the annual migration south to Yuma, AZ, where they will produce salad vegetables over the winter. From November to March each year, Yuma, AZ, becomes the Winter Salad Bowl, where 90% of leafy greens are produced for domestic consumption. Church Brothers uproot their farm team and…

The latest data from IHS Markit for the month of October shows imports overall are up by just under one percent y/y, while the split between various coasts tells a very different story. For at least the last six months, we’ve seen a noticeable shift of import volumes away from the West Coast, where labor…

As lumber prices retreat and housing construction demand softens, flatbed carriers with substantial exposure to single-family housing face the prospect of a slow start to 2023. Higher mortgage rates, and construction costs for concrete and other building materials, continue to drag on single-family housing production, which decreased by 6.15% m/m and 20.4% y/y, according to…

You might be surprised to find some winter vegetables in tight supply this Thanksgiving weekend. The list includes celery, broccoli, cauliflower, and lettuce. Supplies of lettuce, in particular, have been impacted by both a change in seasons and Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (NSV), which kills lettuce when it’s in its mature stage, just before harvest.…

Every year, a different national forest is selected to provide a tree to appear on the west lawn of the U.S. Capitol building for the holiday season. The 2022 tree will come from the National Forests in North Carolina. After almost a year of planning, the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree, a 78-foot red spruce affectionately…

U.S homebuilders get more than a quarter of their lumber from Canada, making the recent slump in lumber prices worth noting. Hardest-hit is lumber sawmills in British Columbia, one of the continent’s most prominent timber-producing regions. Lumber futures fell 4% to $433 per 1,000 board feet last week, 62% lower than the record-high of $1,310…

Following Hurricane Ian’s devastating impact on Florida, strawberry growers are still assessing the fallout as strawberry planting restarts. According to Robert Wilhelm of Bova Fresh, based in Boca Raton, Florida, “Our southern farms took the brunt of the storm, but luckily we had not laid any plastic yet down south. However, our Plant City farms…

Nearly 10% of truck drivers are veterans, and transportation and logistics is one of the most popular destinations for veterans entering the civilian workforce. We’re proud to work in an industry that serves as a safe, reliable place for veterans to work after their service. DAT is taking time to honor our nation’s veterans –…

Shippers in the U.S. saved more than 30% on intermodal contracts in the third quarter, according to the latest JOC Intermodal Savings Index (ISI). “Still, sagging truck rates have created intense competition on the spot market and caused shorter hauls to shift to the highways,” according to Ari Ashe, Senior Editor at the Journal of…

The agricultural industry relies heavily on the flatbed industry for the movement of tractors. Although volumes are tracking slightly higher than the 5-year average, we don’t expect to see peak volume until March next year. According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM), U.S. total farm tractor sales decreased 12.8% y/y in September and are…

Around this time of the year, the production of leafy greens moves from major growing regions, including Salinas, CA, to Yuma, AZ, in California’s Imperial Valley. This southernmost part of California and Arizona transforms into the “Winter Salad Bowl,” where an estimated 90% of lettuce demand is met between November and March each year. Due…

Florida’s orange crop this year will be nearly a third smaller than last year and one of the smallest in decades after Hurricane Ian devastated citrus groves the previous month. According to the USDA, all-orange production for the 2022/23 season is estimated at 3.19 million tons, down 8% from the 2021/22 final numbers in the…

In a recent study, the U.S. Department of Transport (USDoT) found that the truck parking shortage exists in every state and region and is most acute along major freight corridors. There are about 3.5 million truck drivers in the United States and approximately 313,000 truck parking spaces nationally, according to the USDoT; for every 11…

Overhyped talk of a freight recession in recent months seems to have missed the mark, for the time being, anyway. Nearly all freight marketing indicators have demand higher than the previous year and substantially higher than in 2018. According to the leading freight demand for-hire trucking ton-mile index (TTMI) published by Yemisi Bolumole, Ph.D., and…

Houston is one of DAT’s top markets, recently boosted by the surge in imports impacting capacity for all equipment types – more volume means more options for carriers and brokers. Traditional West Coast shippers have increasingly shifted imports to Gulf Coast ports to avoid potential labor disruptions and port congestion in the Ports of Long…

Flatbed carriers are seeing a softening demand driven by seasonal factors and, unlike in recent years, a dramatic slowdown in consumer confidence in the building industry. A reliable flatbed demand indicator for many years has been The Fannie Mae Home Purchase Sentiment Index® (HPSI), which captures home buying/selling consumer sentiment and other indices. The HPSI…

On the Central Californian Coast, where temperatures are mild year-round, lettuce is planted from late December to mid-August for harvest from early April to November. So far, California’s less-than-optimal weather (extreme heat and heavy rain) limits supplies of iceberg and romaine lettuce, and green leaf varieties. The problems are expected to continue through the end…

Supply chain disruption has been a hot topic over the past 2.5 years, and although there are signs it could be improving, measuring the level of disruption and improvement remains elusive. Ari Ashe, Senior Editor at The Journal of Commerce, recently wrote about “box turns” in his weekly Please Haul My Freight newsletter, where he…

Port Houston handled 353,525 twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) in September, an increase of 26% compared to last year, according to the recent release of September data. This is the second-highest month ever for containers at Port Houston, following only August 2022. The increase in volume is largely due to demand for imported goods and a…

Even though it’s Florida’s slack season for truckload volumes of fruit and vegetables, the damage resulting from Hurricane Ian is expected to ripple through the economy for many months. Florida will kick-start the 2023 produce season early next month, typically peaking in May, but the season start may be delayed, according to some growers DAT…

By Christina Ellington Steel output in the U.S. in the week ending June 11 fell by 3% compared with the same time frame in 2021, according to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). As a result, domestic raw steel production was 1,784,000 net tons, while the capability utilization rate was 81.7% compared to 1,834,000…

By Christina Ellington Produce peak season is underway. However, this season is not off to a strong start due to factors ranging from increased input costs to climate challenges. California is in its third consecutive year of drought and experienced a late frost this season. Mexico is also experiencing drought conditions, and the Southeast and…

By Christina Ellington Import volumes are rising, and port congestion may not be far behind. The Freight Analysis Framework (FAF) indicates that approximately 5% of domestic truckload freight tonnage comes directly from Imports.  According to the latest data from PIERS, Imports for May are up 3% m/m and 6% y/y. For the CA ports of…

Just over two years ago, U.S. consumers embarked on a spending spree that initially began with overstocking pantries with daily essentials and then quickly transitioned into buying record levels of physical goods for working, living, eating, and sleeping more at home. The pandemic changed many things in our daily lives but none more so than…

By Christina Ellington As fuel prices continue to rise with no apparent end in sight, oil companies can’t drill wells quickly enough to meet the growing demand. According to Baker Hughes, the national count shows a 61% y/y increase of weekly active drilling rigs as drilling companies react to recent supply and demand challenges. Oil…

By Christina Ellington Even with record sales of grills this summer, the volume of goods in cold storage (meats, dairy products, poultry products, fruits, nuts, and vegetables in public, private, and semi-private refrigerated warehouses) is much lower to start the grilling season. According to the USDA, volumes in cold storage are down 13% year-to-date (YTD)…

A widespread discussion we are witnessing on almost every trucking forum is mainly approaching the difficulties rookies have when they are trying to decide what will be their next trucking company to begin their journey. Being a newbie, it is very easy to get lost in the process, and getting confused considering all the suggestions…

Usually, a rookie would go ahead with a very optimistic attitude and such a workaholic behaviour. This happens because they want to feel that freedom given by the open road and prove that they can also be full-time truckers. Unfortunate for them, because this hype can very easily lead to accidents or some wasted time.…

Any trucker that just ended their training or CDL has been through some emotions and various heart rates. Before you even jump in your first truck cabin, you are nervous, and you might feel some fear, which is understandable considering what actions are required in this industry If you would go and listen to the…

After many inspections and accidents that happen all the time, it is a fact that beginners have a bigger chance to get involved in accidents. But, it does not mean that if you are an experienced truck driver, you cannot make an accident. The more experienced you are, the more risks you take. Do accidents…