Shippers

The FreightWaves Quarterly Shipper Rate Report is crafted with contributions from US Bank, Recon Logistics and Blume Global.

As the battle for fair rates carries on, what if the solution is not government regulation, but rather the creation of a consortium that anonymizes rate data on a lane-by-lane basis for all to see?

The DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power index moved up for the first time since the volume surge in March. The index now sits at 15, which is still positions the shippers comfortably in bid negotiations.

The world of transportation has changed due to COVID-19. Read about how shipping professionals are adapting to those changes.

The current focus on the rate war distracts from the real issue at hand: how to build a profitable trucking business and control your own future.

National volumes and tender rejections have been roughly flat for the past week. There is no change in the DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index this week. Shippers remain in dominant pricing power position.

Driver amenities pay off for Shipper of Choice Facilities winners

Amazon has expanded its brokerage service to 48 states, allowing shippers to easily connect with carriers on a digital platform.

Shippers and forwarders will be cautious with how much cargo they commit to the ocean container carriers this contract season, industry experts say.

The DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index fell another 5 points this week to its lowest total in series history. Volumes are beginning to come back to life, but capacity remains historically loose and spot rates are extremely low.

“Transplace’s customers expect us to dig in and do the research that matters most to their business, and we deliver,” said Transplace Vice President of International Services Mollie Bailey.

The shippers are in the strongest pricing power position in the DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index history, but for all the wrong reasons. Volumes are stable, but well below normal levels, and tender rejections are at the lowest level in the index’s 3-year history.

Many shippers believe a TMS will streamline their operations and lead to greater profit. It is just one piece of the puzzle, though, that also includes freight auditing, benchmarking, and procurement strategies.

Pricing power shifts towards the shippers in a major way this week. Contract freight volumes are now at Labor Day 2019 levels and are poised to go lower. Rejection rates are encroaching on a rare 4% mark, and spot rates are in the bin.

Knowing exactly where shipments are and when they will arrive is more important now than ever.

While mobile devices are common in many industries, the use of these devices to manage inventory is still limited.

Carriers give back pricing power as volumes and rejections rates plummet. Spot rates are negative week-over-week for 95% of lanes from Truckstop.com.

Morgan Stanley survey shows coronavirus disruption is accelerating for carriers, shippers and brokers, but the height of the disruption may be closer than some may think.

National freight volumes and tender rejections are falling as fast as they rose. Carriers remain in slight pricing power position, but their footing is slipping with each passing week,

On EP22, Kevin and Andrew discuss the inevitable accounts receivable risk incoming in the transportation industry with Peter Rentschler from CarrierDirect. Andrew introduces a new segment and expectations are set for the March unemployment rate. Check out other episodes here.

While this may be the peak pricing power for the carriers for this freight cycle, the carriers gain another 10 points in the DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index this week.

Uber Freight has taken several steps to address industry needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, including offering truck drivers a $20 weekly food credit and cutting shipper costs with zero-profit relief loads.

The continuation of panic buying and restocking has swung the DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index violently to the upside. Carriers are now in dominant pricing power position for the first time since we began this series in September.

CDL 1000 aims to revolutionize street turns by automating the process, cutting out inefficiencies and improving speed.

American consumers are panic buying goods from every aisle. To meet this spike in demand, shippers must procure trucking capacity at higher-than-contracted rates creating a significant 15 point swing to the carriers.

Kellogg’s took first place in the inaugural Shipper of Choice Awards last year. Nestle won second, followed by Walmart, Conagra and The Home Depot.

Shippers combat coronavirus with new procedures, questions for drivers; carriers advise proper hygiene, while Amazon requires sanitization of workstations, vehicles

Steel giant working to restore normal operations “as quickly as possible” as trucking companies report disruptions in freight from Canadian facility.

The carriers gained pricing power this week as volumes jumped over 6%, capacity tightened slightly and spot rates increased across the country.

This week, the shippers gain pricing power for the 5th time in the first seven weeks of 2020. Volumes are flat, rejection rates are low and rates are even lower.

In a monotonous week in the freight industry, we believe neither the shippers nor carriers gained any pricing power.

Shippers gain another 5 points of pricing power in this week’s DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index.

Nominate your Shipper of Choice right here.

This white paper pairs FreightWaves’ survey results with SONAR data to closely examine the contributing factors of volatility in the most recent freight cycle, predict the tightening market in 2020 and show how shippers can use data to increase visibility and stability.

Despite strong economic data in favor of the carriers, flat volumes and loosening capacity garners a power grab by the shippers.

Shippers in a Morgan Stanley survey are optimistic over the macro environment and expect rate improvement moving forward. Plus, Chinese New Year impacts and supply chain sustainability takes a hit.

GlobalTranz, already among the largest brokerages in the nation, grew a bit more with the acquisition of 3PL Cerasis.

Outbound volumes and rejections were horizontal this week. Target’s poor earnings are not enough for us to believe the retail sector is in danger of a slowdown, but it is slightly alarming.

Few freight forwarders currently offer shipper-owned containers due to the lack of market transparency in their sourcing.

In the second DHL Supply Chain Pricing Power Index of 2020, the shippers gain power for the first time in 7 weeks. Look for the shippers to continue gaining power for the next few weeks.

Lumper payments can tie up cash for weeks as carriers wait for reimbursement, but Convoy is now automating the process, guaranteeing payment with the touch of a button.

Recon Logistics President expects LTL rate increases in the new year.

Market Expert Zach Strickland provides timely advice for shippers that need to choose either a carrier or a 3PL.

Peak season is wrapping up after bringing the carriers something to cheer for after dismal 2019.

A better than expected holiday season, the tightest capacity of the year and shippers rushing to get inventory off their shelves putting upward pressure on rates.

Investing in a TMS requires a critical look at what you want to accomplish, an understanding of what it can do and how to choose the right partner.

Tender rejections above 10 for the first time in 2019, volumes are holding and holiday rates are cheery.

New independent research reveals that lines are failing to adequately explain how IMO 2020 fuel bill surcharges are calculated.

Momentum for carriers holding as volumes, rejections and rates are moving in their favor.

Increased rates and signs of capacity slowly leaving the market continues the power shift towards carriers.

“We need to arrive on-time, every time!” “We need better visibility!” “We need more technology!”

The Global Shippers Forum says the views of exporters and importers have been ignored by European regulators extending antitrust protection to liner carriers.

No good news for carriers besides a slight surge in volumes leading into the late Thanksgiving holiday.

Lowe’s announces plans to make leadership changes and close 34 stores in Canada. The home improvement retailer increased earnings guidance for fiscal 2019.

The Home Depot, Inc. reels in full year sales expectations due to timing of investment initiatives. Management expects broad-based growth to continue as consumer discretionary spending remains steady.

Freightquote by C.H. Robinson brings Robinson’s information advantage, capacity, and technology to small businesses.

Data and partnerships are critical elements to helping shippers move through the ongoing technological revolution in freight.

Frank McGuigan, CEO of Transplace, in a wide-ranging discussion at FreightWaves LIVE Chicago, detailed Transplace’s current status, market conditions, and how technology is driving an outcome-based business.

Online freight logistics startup Shipwell has made all of its functionalities available through the REST API, which allows companies to integrate all or some parts of the functionalities into their own workflows.

Convoy is now offering direct-from-shipper loads on its platform, giving carriers many more choices for hauling freight.

Slight rallies in volumes and rejections not enough to keep power from shifting further towards shippers.

Noel Perry heads Transport Futures in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In addition, he heads Transportation Economics, a consulting company focused on strategy, market research and forecasting for the North American freight transport market. Previously, he was a Corporate Economist at Schneider National, and Director of Market Research at CSX Transportation and Cummins Engine Company. Broker margins are […]

Larger shippers must think beyond the short-term peaks and valleys.

Renowned logistics analyst explains how Brexit will impact cargo flows, liner shipping calls and European supply chain planning.

Maersk expects ample supplies of low-sulfur fuels to be available in most ports, but warns shippers to expect higher costs.

Want more? SONAR users get exclusive access to more insights.

Power swings five points in favor of the shippers, but momentum building for carriers leading into holiday season.

Trade lanes will come to a halt if the U.K. exits the EU on October. 31, believes the Secretary-General of the European Shippers Council.

Project44’s new truckload tendering capability allows users to secure quotes without having to maneuver outside of their transportation management system.

The FreightWaves Pricing Power Index is a new weekly feature that highlights the balance of power between shippers and carriers.

FourKites has introduced a new analysis tool to help shippers identify unused capacity in their trailers.

Jim Blaze writes about FreightWaves SONAR and how it could be a helpful tool for the freight railroads.

As railroads cut less profitable routes, shippers should learn as much as possible about railroads plans for future service.

FMC Commissioner Rebecca Dye is scheduled to deliver her demurrage and detention recommendations to her fellow commissioners on Sept. 3.

Jim Blaze writes about the pros and cons of shippers owning or leasing their own freight railcars to move their products.

Commentary by Bill Driegert, Senior Director of Uber Freight, explores the current and near-future of on-demand freight.

FreightWaves’ Freight Intel Group has released a new study of the impact of IMO 2020 on the U.S. trucking industries (and other industries). Read what may happen to diesel fuel prices.

Gemini Shippers Group, a non-profit shippers association that is nearly 100 years old, has joined the Blockchain in Transport Alliance (BiTA). Read about Gemini and why it has joined BiTA.

Spot rates have fallen back to 2017 levels, but costs are still on the rise for carriers. Plus, ocean container rates increased on July 1st from China to the U.S.

DHL explains why it is important for shippers to work with a 3PL for their transportation needs.

Coca-Cola (NYSE:KO) moves about 10,000 loads per week in the United States. Drivers picking up those shipments – whether they’re beverage bases destined for bottlers or ice tea for retailers – can expect can expect free refreshments, but more importantly, short dwell times.  “We want to provide quality service and hospitality to the drivers who […]

Land O’Lakes continues to value the companies that haul its freight and the drivers that show up to its docks, even as the state of the market shifts.

The FreightWaves Intel Group surveyed over 800 carriers, shippers and brokers about the entry of Amazon into online freight brokerage. Read about the survey’s results and what respondents think Amazon will do to their businesses.

Fr8Hub recently announced that it will expand its services to provide domestic freight matching throughout Mexico, connecting shippers with available carriers throughout the country. The Fr8Hub carrier network currently features more than 1,000 carriers in the United States and Mexico, and more than 30,000 available trucks. Since electronic logging devices and global positioning systems are […]

Lakefront Futures & Options will be marketing Trucking Freight Futures through its new Trucking Derivatives Group. Read the article and learn more about Trucking Freight Futures and Lakefront Futures & Options.

Shippers in the maritime market can choose between a carrier-owned container or a shipper-owned container, with each business model holding certain advantages over the other based on availability and the freight corridor in question.

The first-of-its-kind award was created to recognize shippers committed to eliminating inefficiencies from the supply chain and aiming to be excellent partners for their carriers.

Today on FreightWaves NOW, we talk to brokers, carriers, shippers, and even look at the maritime outlook from a global perspective. Where are volumes and rates heading Taco Tuesday, June 4?

Learn how existing and future technologies will continue the evolution of supply chains, transportation and warehousing.

Today on FreightWaves NOW, we give you quick hitters on volumes, the headhaul index, and a look at the latest consumer spending. Something here for carriers, brokers, and shippers.

As rate pressure eases, conditions for shippers continue to improve.

Inefficient warehouse operations lead to confusion, delays and added cost. By incorporating a TMS, shippers can gain better data and improve the end-to-end process of warehouse and shipping management.

FreightWaves CEO Craig Fuller assesses current conditions impacting trucking and outlines what is ahead for the industry.

Making carriers more productive is good business for Arrive Logistics.

Market expert Brian Aoaeh writes about the impact of market disruption on the freight brokerage sector. Learn how Amazon, artificial intelligence, machine learning and other disruptors will change the business…

Convoy has worked closely with shippers on various projects, including its Convoy Go program that gives owner-operators access to drop-and-hook freight. It has now formalized those efforts in the Innovation Lab.

Convoy is looking to help owner-operators and small fleets get access to drop-and-hook freight with a nationwide rollout of Convoy Go.

The fluctuating price of fuel makes it difficult for carriers and shippers to know the exact cost to move freight. Genesis Fuel is offering a way to pre-buy diesel at a set price, adding certainty to the cost for both parties.

Becoming a Shipper of Choice requires many steps and processes, but it starts with communication, trust and building a relationship.

Group hopes to set standards for `shippers of choice’.