Economic trends

ACT: Freight cycle likely nearing bottom

ACT Research reported that freight volumes and rates declined in February, but the freight downcycle is closer to the end than the beginning. Also: Teamsters, ABF start work on new deal; Looser capacity decreased shippers' conditions in January; more

March 29, 2023

ACT Research For-Hire Trucking Index Volumes

'Get ready to compete': New rail behemoth sets sights on trucking

Canada Pacific's merger with Kansas City Southern promises to take 64,000 truckloads off the road each year, and the Biden admin will likely hold them to that. The new rail behemoth is very clearly coming for trucking, but can the industry take it?

March 23, 2023

cp train in the mountains

Trucking conditions improved in January, but downswing expected

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index improved from December to January, but the firm expects negative conditions into the third quarter of 2024. Also: Truck tonnage was up in February; R+L Carriers founder passes away; more.

March 22, 2023

truck backed to dock

Truck orders climb for the first time in five months

Order activity over the last six months has been strong and annualizes to 413,000 units.

March 7, 2023

parked semi-trucks

Truck tonnage opened 2023 with slight increase

ATA reported a 0.7% uptick in truck tonnage in January. Also: FMCSA denies truck driver's HOS exemption request; another driver seeks split-sleeper flexibility; Fleetforce expands training programs in Florida; Tradepoint Atlantic expanding to Tampa.

February 23, 2023

ATA Truck Tonnage Index January 2023

Trailer backlog increasing as production rate drops

Demand overall remains strong, and cancellations are low, but some orders are being made to replenish dealer stock, rather than going directly to fleet customers.

February 20, 2023

Trailer Doors Open

Carriers' conditions improved in December with falling diesel prices

FTR reported other indicators – including freight volume, capacity utilization, and rates – were negative. Also: ATRI wants carrier feedback on marijuana legalization's impact on recruiting; New SVP at Atlas Van Lines; more.

February 16, 2023

Recession likely still inbound in months ahead but freight outlook less pessimistic

Freight brokers near evenly spit on spot rate outlook but far less optimistic on contract rates.

February 13, 2023

Trucks at a dock

Truck orders skid for fourth month in a row

With backlogs already solidifying production slots, it's no surprise that orders have fallen off the torrential pace set late last year.

February 9, 2023

Kenworth truck assembly line

Experts expect M&A in the transportation and logistics industry to thrive in 2023

Despite choppy economic waters in 2022, many M&A deals got done, and that trend is expected to continue in 2023, though the size and structure of deals will differ, along with a shift in the types of company profiles targeted for acquisition.

February 5, 2023

Trailer demand surges to record highs

Lower trailer build rates and a jump in end-of-year factory shipments caused inventory levels to drop by 18% month-over-month.

January 27, 2023

lineup of dry van trailers

Truck tonnage ticked up to close out 2022

ATA reported truck tonnage was up slightly in December, while tonnage for the year increased 3.4% over 2021. Also: Shippers' conditions on the rise; California fleet orders 15 Nikola hydrogen fuel cell trucks; Xcell Logistics opens new Texas warehouse.

January 26, 2023

ATA Truck Tonnage Index December 2022

Supply chain correction helps put the 'worst of the inflation crisis behind us'

The price of lumber is down by roughly two-thirds over the last year, not far from its five-year average. Brent crude too, has fallen by roughly one-third since last summer along with shipping costs. Why? The supply chain adapts and overcomes.

January 18, 2023

truck hauling a container

Trucking conditions, while improved, remained negative in November

FTR's Trucking Conditions Index showed slight improvement in November. Also: Schneider gets eCascadia in SoCal intermodal operations; FMCSA denies driver's HOS exemption request; Mack unveils refreshed Granite model; Estes opens new Texas terminal.

January 19, 2023

FTR Trucking Conditions Index November 2022

Report forecasts 'surprising' strength in LTL freight for early 2023

Carriers are competing for more limited demand while searching for ways to claw back revenue.

January 18, 2023

pallet jacks in a warehouse

Rates end 2022 on a high note, signaling 'bottoming process' underway

While market conditions remain broadly loose, there are increasingly signs of slowing supply – a key to the bottoming process, according to experts.

January 17, 2023

Trucks at the dock

What should carriers expect from dry van and reefer rates in 2023?

After a turbulent year for many carriers working the spot market, it's time to look ahead further into 2023 to get an idea of where rates might go as the year progresses.

January 12, 2023

Maxresdefault 63c027549ef2d

FTR: Number of carriers will continue to fall as economy cools

“What is likely to happen is that we’re going to have some capacity loss,” Vise says. “As we lose drivers from these carriers that are failing, that is likely to be a driver population that we will lose.”

January 12, 2023

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truck pulled over by police

Beating the roadside blitz: experts share maintenance tips ahead of CVSA Roadcheck

In partnership with Mann+Hummel, CCJ brings together experts from some of trucking's safest fleets (and CVSA) to discuss maintenance tips and practices that make roadside inspections easier.

truck driver talking on the phone

Truck driver age creeping up, retirement plans on the back burner for many

truck driver asleep in the bunk

Drivers value late model truck, but not as much as other features

female truck driver using a CB radio

Pay and respect top influences on why drivers leave a carrier

The 2023 State Of Heavy Duty Repair Report is here.

The 2023 State Of Heavy Duty Repair Report is here.

Get all the info on the top 250 trucking companies in America

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Heavy-Duty Maintenance Checklist

Maintenance is a critical part of vehicle upkeep—we’re preaching to the choir here, but you know what? It doesn’t hurt to repeat it at times. Check out our latest downloadable maintenance checklist and give it a whirl!