Q4 Trucking Capacity Tightening
The truckload market is heading into Q4 with less breathing room. While spot rates pulled back seasonally in August, underlying capacity remains constrained. DAT reported an August dry van spot linehaul rate of $2.19 per mile, while recent weekly rates remained more than 30% above year-ago levels. Uber Freight also reports that dry van contract […]
Trans-Pacific Rates Holding Higher
Trans-Pacific ocean rates remain elevated as rising bunker fuel costs, storm-driven congestion and capacity disruptions offset early signs of softer peak-season demand. Rates are currently near $7,600 per container to the U.S. West Coast and $9,500 to the East Coast, levels comparable with the 2024 peak season. For shippers, the key issue is not just […]
UP-NS Merger Review Advances
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are pushing their proposed transcontinental merger into the next stage of Surface Transportation Board review, arguing that their application meets the regulatory threshold for a full evaluation. The STB has established a procedural schedule, with a final decision expected in late 2027. The railroads say the combined network could expand […]
Diesel Drives Pump Price Pressure
Diesel prices are surging far faster than crude, creating another layer of cost pressure for shippers. Since late February, Brent crude has risen about 26%, while ULSD has climbed more than 70%. U.S. retail diesel is now near post-war highs, reflecting an unusually wide gap between crude and refined-product pricing. Several forces are tightening diesel […]
Panama Canal Slots Tighten
The Panama Canal is tightening daily vessel capacity as below-average rainfall and El Niño raise concerns over water availability across the watershed. Beginning Sept. 3, Neopanamax booking slots will drop from 10 to nine per day, while Panamax slots will fall from 26 to 25 before declining again to 23 on Sept. 15. Draft restrictions […]
Higher Driver Pay Signals a Tighter Market
Driver compensation is moving higher as trucking capacity contracts and carriers position for a firmer freight market. According to the Q2 2026 Driver Recruiting & Retention Data Download Report, 26% of carriers have increased driver pay this year, while sign-on bonuses and other recruiting incentives are returning. The shift reflects more than increasing freight demand. […]
Asia-US Rates Continue To Rise
Trans-Pacific container rates are climbing as stronger-than-expected U.S. consumer demand extends peak-season shipping activity. Freightos data shows Asia–U.S. East Coast pricing reaching roughly $9,400 per FEU this week, while West Coast rates have climbed to about $7,400 per FEU after declining through much of July. The rebound comes as importers navigate inflation, tariff uncertainty, capacity […]
Rising Rates Lift All Ships’ Profit Outlook
Ocean Network Express (ONE) closed the first quarter of FY2026 with stronger revenue, improved operating performance, and a significantly higher full-year profit outlook. Revenue reached $4.54 billion, while EBITDA rose to $707 million and margin improved to 15.6%. Container volumes increased to 3.257 million TEUs, supported by higher average freight rates and strong vessel utilization. […]
Conflict Lifts Ocean Rates
Ocean freight prices are climbing, but no single issue is driving the market. Geopolitical instability remains a major factor, forcing longer routes, raising insurance costs and adding complexity across key trade lanes. At the same time, carriers are managing capacity through blank sailings and network adjustments, while bunker expenses, equipment availability and shifting demand patterns […]
Canada Tariffs Reach 50%
The United States is set to impose an additional 50% tariff on a broad range of Canadian imports beginning August 19, 2026. The Section 338 duties will apply even to many goods that qualify for preferential treatment under the USMCA, expanding potential cost and planning pressure across North American supply chains. Covered categories include agricultural […]
