Economic trends

Truck replacement, investment strategies will rise in 202

As the tumultuous economy of 2021 makes its way through the first quarter, businesses are encountering sporadic patterns of equipment investment demand depending on which market sectors they serve.

February 23, 2021

The reason for this stronger recovery for transportation fleets is a product of the country’s reopening plans that placed heavy dependence and shipping activity for transporters.

Economic trends

Carrier failures mounted in '20, but so did new entrant carriers

Lack of load availability last spring -- and the cheap rates on the loads that were available -- were the prime contributing factor in the spike in carrier failures last year. But a hot spot market also drew a surge in new entrant motor carriers.

February 16, 2021

Lack of load availability last spring -- and the cheap rates on the loads that were available -- were the prime contributing factor in the spike in carrier failures last year, said Donald Broughton, principal and managing partner of Broughton Capital.

Economic trends

Fleets locking in trailer build slots on 2021 optimism

The challenge currently facing trailer OEMs in the near-term is a raw material and component shortage.

February 11, 2021

January trailer order activity met expectations, as most of the large fleets had already placed their 2021 requirements orders previously.

Economic trends

Truck orders exceed 40K units for fourth consecutive month

Freight growth has pushed fleets to add capacity as fast as possible and OEMs and suppliers are wrestling to keep pace with surging demand.

February 2, 2021

Freight growth has pushed fleets to add capacity as fast as possible and OEMs and suppliers are wrestling to keep pace with the surging demand.

Avoid the spot market? Analysts weigh in on 2021 freight outlook

Analysts have offered a rosy outlook as the freight recovery that burgeoned in the back half of 2020 is expected to continue through at least the first half of 2021. One prominent analyst, however, foresees a cyclical slowdown.

January 20, 2021

Chris Pickett, of Pickett Research, foresees the current boom cycle fading early this year after the months-long acceleration in the second half of 2020: “If this cycle behaves in a way that is in any way similar to truckload cycles over the past 15 years, which I have no reason to think otherwise, I expect to see our peak by the first quarter of this year at the latest, if not the fourth quarter that we just wrapped up. And once we observe that turn in the year-over-year cycle, we can start planning for the subsequent collapse leading into the final deflationary leg of the cycle – before we start all over again.”

Economic trends

Three areas to watch in 2021

The virus, the economy and regulations: Here's what to look for in 2021.

January 19, 2021

2020 trailer orders beat 2019 levels

At current production levels, many OEMs could be fully-committed for 2021 production slots.

January 14, 2021

Year-end trailer orders have boosted backlogs from a low point in July during the throes of the pandemic.

CCJ MarketPulse- October 2020

Key findings Carrier optimism continues to rise as the year draws to an end, with the business conditions index rising from 7.1 in September to 7.3 in October. Month-to-month sentiment rose for respondents with up to 100 power units from 6.7 in September to 6.8 in October, while sentiment for respondents from fleets with more […]

December 14, 2020

CCJ MarketPulse- September 2020

Key findings Carrier sentiment for business conditions continues to track with the economic rebound, up to 7.1 in September 2020 compared to 6.83 in August 2020. Month-to-month sentiment rose for respondents with up to 100 power units from 6.47 in August to 6.7 in September, while sentiment for respondents from fleets with more than 100 […]

November 5, 2020

CCJ MarketPulse- August 2020

Key findings: Carrier sentiment for business conditions continue to surge during the COVID shutdown recovery, up to 6.83 in August 2020 compared to 6.35 in July 2020. Month-to-month sentiment rose for respondents with up to 100 power units from 6.24 in July to 6.47 in August, while sentiment for respondents from fleets with more than […]

October 13, 2020

As Amazon issues warehousing blockade, carriers scramble to make sense of early peak season and retail wave

Transportation companies see an increase in e-commerce for physical goods amid record-low inventories as Amazon announces warehouse blockade. Details on CCJ.

October 6, 2020

The recent surge of e-commerce brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has made the long-haul, full truckload segment more appealing to Amazon’s logistics arm, says Carson Krieg of Convey. The company has recently pivoted its focus away from parcel delivery and final-mile to trying to build a network of full truckload carriers.

Man vs. machine: Software battles empty miles and increases revenue

Trucking companies look to offset empty miles and increase profitability with efficient route planning software. Learn more here on Commercial Carrier Journal.

September 1, 2020

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The quest for rates transparency: How carriers can leverage data to come out ahead

Variables that shippers, 3PLs and carriers use for freight rates make it difficult, if not impossible, to price shipments like a commodity. See CCJ for details

July 17, 2020

During the turmoil of 2020, a number of shippers, carriers and 3PLs say they have not only survived but have used it as an opportunity to come out ahead.

When the free market and a pandemic collide: Is more oversight needed of trucking rates?

Freight markets have been volatile, but is more rate and cost transparency needed? Read CCJ to see how shippers, 3PLs and carriers are addressing this concern.

July 15, 2020

“When all this started we took a hit right off of the bat and about 50% of our work died off,” said Liberty Linehaul West president Greg Dubuque. “We’re lucky enough to have a few brokerage friends that are holding their rates where they need to, that understand the cost of running a truck up and down the road, and then there are those that really seem to be on the back side of price gouging.”

The freight awakening? Demand roars back to life, though potential ditches lie ahead

Freight demand has crawled back, with load volumes soaring on the spot market. Some predict gains to continue, though key hurdles remain. Details on CCJ.

June 16, 2020

DHL Supply Chain execs discuss ‘whirlwind’ business climate

Truckload and LTL shipments are down. Carriers are furloughing drivers to keep their costs at bay. When will transportation rebound? See CCJ to find out.

June 2, 2020

DHL trucks are docked at a DHL Global Forwarding facility near Chicago’s O’Hare airport to deliver imported shipments.

CCJ Upshift: Trucking economist predicts rapid post-COVID recovery

The second half of 2020 and the long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic are unknowns, but one noted trucking economist is willing to predict the U.S. economy’s recovery will be more robust and occur more quickly than many might think.

May 27, 2020

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Loadsmart, BluJay integration gives shippers instantly bookable truck rates

The integration makes Loadsmart’s real-time, bookable rates appear in BluJay’s Transportation Management application.

April 8, 2020

LoadSmart developed algorithms that predict rates to offer shippers instant booking options for their freight.

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With serial production of its electric eCascadia and eM2 set for next year, DTNA earlier this month unveiled Detroit electric ePowertrain.

Daimler, Cummins partnership puts writing on the wall for DD5, DD8 engines

DTNA will wind down production of its DD5, DD8 engines through medium-duty partnership with Cummins.

With COVID vaccine ‘peak season’ nigh, can trucking keep up with looming load demand?

Locomation is planning to initially roll out autonomous vehicle technology using a convoy.

Floodgates wide open for investment in trucking and logistics

Lack of load availability last spring -- and the cheap rates on the loads that were available -- were the prime contributing factor in the spike in carrier failures last year, said Donald Broughton, principal and managing partner of Broughton Capital.

Carrier failures mounted in '20, but so did new entrant carriers

Goodyear Introduces Tire Management, Improving Efficiency for Fleets

Goodyear Introduces Tire Management, Improving Efficiency for Fleets

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

View, sort and download the trucking industry’s most comprehensive ranking of for-hire carriers in North America, based on a blend of metrics including fleet size, annual revenue and number of drivers.

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