trucking cycle

The bleak first quarter of 2024 looks much like 2023 for freight brokerages.

The first meeting of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration’s Truck Leasing Task Force (TLTF) discussed and drafted recommendations on Tuesday regarding limiting or eliminating the power a trucking company has over lease purchase agreements with drivers.

FreightWaves has also observed downward pressure on contract rates and the beginning of a capacity bleed-off.

The investment bank issued a report this morning calling for one more spot rate peak in the fourth quarter, followed by a softer 2019 that should still be 12% above the 2012-7 cycle. New price targets were also issued.

Shippers feel like they’re in uncharted territory even a year into an extremely strong trucking cycle, and they’re adapting in a number of ways, including building depth into routing guides, accepting lower service levels, and extending tender lead times.