Truckload Indexes

C.H. Robinson is not rushing to select Jim Barber as CEO, leading some to wonder if he is the perfect fit for the demanding job.

The consumer will be key to resolving the present tension in freight demand’s future, but consumers continue to be predictably unpredictable.

Market conditions will likely become a bit more favorable before they get much worse.

Strangely enough, tender volumes are abiding by seasonal trends.

Strangely enough, tender volumes are abiding by seasonal trends. The first quarter of 2022 was unusually active as shippers tried to get ahead of disruptions to capacity, which historically tightens in the spring.

With the inflation-squeezed consumer running through their discretionary budgets, freight demand is in a precarious state.

Consumers’ appetite for discretionary spending has been usurped in favor of squirreling away income into personal savings.

Volumes have continued their recovery from the winter holiday season with a surge in pent-up freight demand unleashed into the market. Naturally, since last week’s data was affected by holiday noise, the Outbound Tender Volume Index (OTVI) faces some absurdly easy comps on a weekly basis. Even still, accepted tender volumes remain below their levels of 2021 and ’22 for the time being. 

Volumes have continued their recovery from the winter holiday season with a surge in pent-up freight demand unleashed into the market. Naturally, since last week’s data was affected by holiday noise, the Outbound Tender Volume Index (OTVI) faces some absurdly easy comps on a weekly basis. Even still, accepted tender volumes remain below their levels of 2021 and ’22 for the time being. 

For all intents and purposes, the month of December has only three weeks of freight activity, as the final week from Christmas to New Year’s is effectively null. In years prior, freight demand has fallen throughout the month before bottoming out in that final week. So far, December looks to be following seasonal trends, which is to say that, while shippers’ activity is winding down, this movement is not alarming by itself. Rather, the gap in freight demand between 2022 and ’21 (or even ’20) is the main symptom of current ailments.

For all intents and purposes, the month of December has only three weeks of freight activity, as the final week from Christmas to New Year’s is effectively null. In years prior, freight demand has fallen throughout the month before bottoming out in that final week. So far, December looks to be following seasonal trends, which is to say that, while shippers’ activity is winding down, this movement is not alarming by itself. Rather, the gap in freight demand between 2022 and ’21 (or even ’20) is the main symptom of current ailments.

Tony Tzeng tells FreightWaves’ Domestic Supply Chain Summit that Transfix’s TrueRate+ program is designed to guarantee tenders with an optimal blend of price and service.

Contrary to popular opinion, December is not a peak season for freight. True, the freight that needs to be moved in this month typically has greater urgency than usual, which does put upward pressure on carrier rates. But peak truckload volumes are largely influenced by maritime imports, which historically peak between July and September.

Historically, November is the month in which maritime imports begin to move inland for their final push before the holiday shopping season. Yet such imports were lost at sea this year, failing to materialize during ocean shippers’ peak season. This one-two punch of weakened import volumes and overstocked retail inventories means that carriers are left with fewer opportunities to source freight.

Historically, November is the month in which maritime imports begin to move inland for their final push before the holiday shopping season. Yet such imports were lost at sea this year, failing to materialize during ocean shippers’ peak season. This one-two punch of weakened import volumes and overstocked retail inventories means that carriers are left with fewer opportunities to source freight.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Hurricane Ian boosted spot rates in the southeast over the past 10 days, but as rejection rates and volumes decline, when will spot rates on a national level take another step lower.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Contract and spot rates continue their downward trend despite volume levels and rejection rates flattening out…

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

Since the pandemic started, many shippers found their existing contracts unable to ensure carrier compliance. Supply and demand were especially volatile, and so spot rates, which are more sensitive to changing market conditions, handily outpaced contract rates.

In the nine days since July began, OTRI fell 141 basis points (bps) to its lowest level in over two years: 6.7%. In the three days following that bottom, OTRI clawed back 50 bps. At present, however, it seems as though any upward momentum upon which it could have built has been lost.

Volume levels are depressed this week by Monday’s holiday. The national average rate of tender rejections sunk below 7% late in the week, but linehaul spot rates…

Volume levels have made a final push before the second quarter ends. The national rejection rate has recovered from its earlier dip below 8%…

Volume levels have restarted their decline, as have spot rates. The national rejection rate has fallen below 8%…

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that simply discouraging an employee from filing a FMLA request is enough to have violated the employee’s rights.

Volume levels have restarted their decline, as have spot rates. The national rejection rate has fallen below 9%…

Despite the debate on ocean shipping reform, the law will be signed into law by President Biden relatively soon. With his presidency increasingly defined by record-breaking inflation, it is clear his administration is focused on efforts to correct course.

Trailer makers continue to push away orders as supply chain issues in different areas vex production amid stable pent-up demand.

As diesel and gasoline prices climb faster than the price of crude, a drop in U.S. refining capacity is seen as a key factor in the explosion in diesel levels.

Volume levels have restarted their decline, as have spot rates. The national rejection rate has fallen below 9%…

Compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act is a requirement for companies, and even honest mistakes can trigger violations.

FMC rulemakings and reports included in the Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 will begin taking shape soon after the bill is enacted. Here’s a breakdown.

Volume levels have restarted their decline, as have spot rates. The national rejection rate has fallen below 9%…

Truck transportation job gains posted in May were up more than 13,000, the third time in the last four months they’ve exceeded 10,000.

History is a good indicator of what will happen at the polls this November, with Republicans expected to regain at least one chamber of Congress.

Volume levels have restarted their decline, as have spot rates. The national rejection rate has fallen below 9%…

Changes in the field of arbitration are afoot and employers who utilize arbitration clauses need to stay up to date on these changes as they will impact the ability to arbitrate employee claims.

Tax collections are halted until at least July 14. The state’s supply chain emergency edict remains in effect.

Inventories of ultra low sulfur diesel on the East Coast moved down again after last week’s increase, but other statistics may promise relief to some buyers.

Volume levels have restarted their decline, as have spot rates. The national rejection rate has fallen below 9%…

Independent contractor status has been a particularly contentious issue for the trucking industry, and with a more pro-union posture from Washington, bears watching.

Attracting younger workers to trucking companies means investing in technology that eases wait times and routing and improves communications, experts said.

With CVSA’s annual International Roadcheck fast approaching, now is the time for carriers and drivers to prepare for the inspection process.

Volume levels have restarted their decline, as have spot rates. The national rejection rate has fallen below 9%…

A supervisor claimed he was fired because of his age. A court disagreed. For employers, though, it reinforces the need to properly train supervisors and employees on discrimination as a means of preventing it happening.

CFI driver Zach Yeakley “wasn’t really expecting anything out of it” when he was recognized for helping pull six crash victims from fiery cars.

Supply chains need diverse sourcing strategies and more real-time information to manage disruptive forces unleashed by COVID and the Ukraine invasion.

The executive envisions a “connected ecosystem” where all capacity and shipments move simultaneously and in real time.

AskWaves has reviewed the latest comments on a proposal allowing oral fluid instead of urine to test for drugs — the trucking industry mostly likes it.

Volume levels have restarted the decline after recovering after Easter Weekend. The national rejection rate has fallen below 9%…

There is no easy fix to rising fuel prices without stripping government of much-needed infrastructure money.

Mineta led the agency during the 9/11 attacks and oversaw the TSA’s launch.

Transportation capacity grew for the first time since May 2020, according to a monthly supply chain survey.

Tender volumes and tender rejection rates are both on a rapid decline, signaling trouble for the truckload market. Carriers and shippers alike will need to…

The 7th Circuit Court of Appeals has found that just because an employee is out on FMLA leave or has recently returned from FMLA leave, it does not mean an employer cannot terminate that employee for legitimate performance issues.

The group wants the contract with the Oshkosh unit blocked until the agency prepares a better environmental impact report.

Trucker Grant Quinton was “choked up” after being recognized for pulling a man and his grandson from their flipped vehicle.

Federal regulators plan to require truckers to limit their truck speeds by using electronic engine control devices.

Diesel futures on the CME commodity exchange soared Monday even as crude prices fell, suggesting that the market is headed into a significant squeeze.

Spot rates continue the rapid descent as truckload capacity continues to loosen rapidly. At the same time, accepted tender volumes turn…

The retail diesel benchmark price published by the Department of Energy rose less than 3 cents a gallon even as futures prices tacked on more than 60 cents a gallon over the past four trading days.

Tender rejection rates are rapidly headed toward single digits, causing spot rates to resemble a black diamond slope rather than the bunny…

Both the house and senate have passed competitiveness bills, but the details remain to be sorted out, including the long-term impact.

A new complaint filed by NLRB could serve as a focal point in a revision of independent contractor rules.

A trucker is “lucky to be alive” after a tornado flipped his tractor-trailer, a fellow driver who helped him says.

Predictions of a freight recession may be premature, according to the Trucking Activist.

Tender volumes and tender rejection rates are both on a rapid decline, signaling trouble for the truckload market. Carriers and shippers alike will need to…

Federal regulators are standing up a new task force to study predatory truck leasing and its effect on driver safety.

Venerable index gets shellacked as freight issues fall hard.

Tender volumes and tender rejection rates are both on a rapid decline, signaling trouble for the truckload market. Carriers and shippers alike will need to…

Oral fluid testing is not only a win for the safety-conscious, but the cost-conscious too.

Whether it is appealed in court or not, it It is highly like that the Biden administration will now restart its efforts to have the recently reinstated Trump-era independent contractor rule withdrawn and replaced with a new, more restrictive rule less favorable to establishing independent contractor status.

The big drop in futures prices shows that the demand side of the equation still matters.

Both tender volumes and tender rejection rates take a breather over the past week. It’s too early to be called a trend but definitely…

Challenger Motor Freight and Garner Trucking are focused on improving the lives of drivers and helping them maintain a work-life balance. The two firms have been named the nation’s top carriers for drivers.

Christopher Lloyd was helping out a fellow trucker by picking up a run, but it led him to the scene of a violent crash. For his heroic efforts at the scene, he’s been named the Highway Angel of the Year.

The Truckload Carriers Association has named John Elliott, CEO of Load One, its next chairman, and announced its fleet safety and driver of the year award winners.

After a panel discussion extolling better relations between shippers and carriers, a question sets off a discussion on current selection processes.

FMCSA’s safety boss grapples with a huge wave of truck entrants since the pandemic.

The U.S. DOT found that the truck parking shortage exists in every state and region, but it did not include dedicated funding for truck parking in the recent infrastructure bill.

Both tender volumes and tender rejection rates take a breather over the past week. It’s too early to be called a trend but definitely…

A recent court decision serves as notice to all employers that OSHA violations, even when wrongfully and willfully encouraged by a supervisor, can still result in liability to the employer.

DOT is leading a freight data exchange pilot project that it envisions as a long-term effort to speed cargo flow and cut costs for consumers.

The benchmark price moved up even as commodity diesel prices are headed sharply lower.

Both tender volumes and tender rejection rates take a breather over the past week. It’s too early to be called a trend but definitely…

California’s meal and rest break regulations are preempted by federal hours-of-service regulations, according to the courts, which means employers of short-haul drivers need not comply. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

Tender volumes recover most of last week’s decline while rejection rates continue their slow downward trend despite contract rate increases…

As the federal government begins prioritizing EV infrastructure, trucking fleets and stakeholders need to stay abreast of changes at the intersection of industry and climate initiatives.

Susan Binsted says trucker Karl Sholl “restored faith in our hearts” after he helped her and her husband stay safe after an accident.

Tender volumes take a February nap, sliding 4% over the past week while rejection rates were flat despite weather affecting certain markets..

Tender volumes continue to outperform year-ago levels. Rejection rates have declined throughout the past week as carriers return to major…