Truckload

Facing the tightest spot truckload market in at least four years, the number of available loads on the spot truckload freight market jumped 5.4% during the week ending Sept. 30 and tight capacity sent the load-to-truck ratio for van freight into uncharted territory.

Anyone involved in moving heavy or oversize loads knows that some take more effort than others. That was certainly the case with a 94,000-pound scissor-lift platform that stretches 110-feet long and spans 24 feet 6 inches – taking up two lanes of highway.

After private spaceflight company, Blue Origin, finished assembling its first full-scale BE-4 rocket engine, it needed to be tested. That testing would be crucial to determine whether the BE-4 is ready to be used in a rocket designed to bring cargo and people into outer space.

Reacting to the tightest spot truckload market in at least four years, brokers and third-party logistics providers are working overtime to obtain TL capacity for shippers during this peak freight season.

Based on various commentaries from speakers at the recent 2017 FTR Transportation Conference and CSCMP Edge, it stands to reason that in the coming months, rates are only heading in one direction: up.

Having a myopic approach, or outlook, to something that “may” happen can often prove to be misguided, but that mindset seems to be spot on when assessing the direction of truckload rates and tightening truckload capacity. Why? Based on commentary from speakers at recent industry gatherings like the 2017 FTR Transportation Conference and CSCMP Edge, it stands to reason that in the coming months, rates are only heading in one direction: up.

The merger of two Phoenix, Az.-based truckload giants, Swift Transportation and Knight Transportation, was approved late yesterday by Swift stockholders, Swift officials announced yesterday. Swift said it expects to the merger to close today.

In an award-winning collaboration effort with a 3PL and TL partner, this global performance nutrition company has drastically reduced costs—all while improving service through and innovative “embedded” arrangement.

Like the summer weather in many parts of the country, the current state of the truckload contract and spots market remains in a good spot. That’s the word from DAT Solutions, a subsidiary of Roper Industries, based on different data sets it has issued throughout this summer for different periods.

Learn about the 34th Annual Quest for Quality Award winners for Truckload Carriers

June was a booming month for spot truckload freight activity, according to data issued this week by DAT Solutions in its DAT North American Freight Index. DAT defines the North American Freight Index as a measure of conditions on the spot truckload freight market.

Shippers are giving pool distribution a second look thanks to today’s third generation TMS, which is more powerful, flexible, and sophisticated than prior generation products.

E-commerce continues to fuel a boom that’s tempered by overcapacity, rate pressures, sluggish demand and political doubt. The result: “cognitive dissonance” that finds a $1.4 trillion market scratching its head.

In a marketplace that’s seeing a slew of new entrants and significant technological advances, the truckload brokerage market finds shippers and carriers alike seeking out the highest visibility and the best value in a fiercely competitive environment.

Turbulent market roils with consolidations and “muted” freight demand