State of Logistics

Plenty of truckload capacity

However, most economists surveyed in the report expect a U, so we’ll just keep our eyes on freight volumes and consumer confidence over the next few months.

The 31st annual Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) State of Logistics report released today says the “shocked economy will shrink this year, but the adapting is already under way” as logisticians adjust to new realities of transport planning and execution.

Tight capacity, high rates, rapid e-commerce growth and a booming economy fueled an 11.45% rise in U.S. logistics costs over the course of 2018. However, new freight management innovations abound, and now nimbleness and efficiency are keys to good service as we roll through 2019.

State of 3PL: More mergers and aquisitions on the horizon

Air cargo capacity outpaces demand as carriers regroup

Carrier alliances and slow steaming bear scrutiny

Rail freight volumes trending down

Truckload market grappling with excess capacity, lagging rates

Rates up as carrier costs “go through the roof”

The official release of the report—which took place on June 18th at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C.—sets our editorial staff on a quest to put context around the report and what it’s findings mean to freight transportation management in terms of service, capacity and rates.

But UP CEO Fritz warns Trump initiatives on trade threaten growth prospects.

As if higher rates and capacity shortages weren’t enough to worry about, shippers must now deal with a pending trade war, import/export uncertainties and increasing scrutiny from C-suite executives. Shippers now face a steep climb to keep budgets and service levels intact.

As we have for the past 29 years, the Logistics Management editorial team has devoted a large portion of our July issue to putting context around the “Annual State of Logistics Report (SoL)”—and we continue to do so for good reason.

As most shippers can tell from their rising freight bills, carriers have taken advantage of a seller’s market in transportation as the confluence of a strong economy, surging demand and labor and capacity shortages is causing multiple pain points for logisticians. That’s the conclusion of the 29th annual State of Logistics report produced by A.T. Kearney in partnership with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and Penske Logistics.