Shippers Face Ongoing Freight Market Struggles

Shippers Face Ongoing Freight Market Struggles

FTR's Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) indicates that despite a rebound, shippers still face significant challenges as it remains in negative territory. The analysis covers influencing factors such as fuel costs, freight volume, capacity utilization, and freight rates. It suggests strategies for shippers to navigate these challenges, including optimizing supply chains, diversifying transportation modes, strengthening collaborations, and leveraging technological innovations. The aim is to help shippers find opportunities amidst the difficulties in the current freight market.

01/20/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Inefficient Packaging Raises Air Freight Costs

Inefficient Packaging Raises Air Freight Costs

Retailers and manufacturers incur higher logistics costs, known as 'shipping air,' due to inefficient packaging. The increasing emphasis on dimensional weight in the logistics industry compels businesses to optimize their packaging strategies. By improving packaging design, selecting appropriate materials, and collaborating with logistics providers, companies can reduce costs, enhance efficiency, and achieve sustainable development. This proactive approach addresses the challenges posed by dimensional weight pricing and promotes a more streamlined and cost-effective supply chain.

01/20/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Evans Transportation Launches Freight Brokerage Service

Evans Transportation Launches Freight Brokerage Service

Evans Transportation Services (ETS) launches its freight brokerage division, EFS, to address capacity shortages and declining service quality faced by manufacturers. Leveraging 25 years of industry expertise, advanced technology, and a robust carrier network, EFS aims to provide clients with broader capacity options, competitive pricing, and reliable service quality. EFS will help businesses optimize their supply chains, reduce costs, and improve efficiency by offering tailored solutions and expert support in navigating the complexities of freight transportation.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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Shippers Prioritize Safety in Freight Transportation

Shippers Prioritize Safety in Freight Transportation

Shippers play a crucial role in ensuring driver safety. By optimizing appointment systems, improving loading/unloading processes, providing comfortable waiting areas, enhancing communication, re-evaluating contract terms, investing in technology, and training staff, shippers can reduce driver downtime, improve operational efficiency, lower transportation costs, and increase customer satisfaction, creating a win-win situation for all parties involved. These measures contribute to a safer and more efficient transportation ecosystem, benefiting drivers, shippers, and ultimately, the end consumers.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Freight Data Signals Potential Recession Risks

Freight Data Signals Potential Recession Risks

This paper delves into the intricate relationship between freight logistics and macroeconomics, analyzing the impact of shifting consumption patterns, inventory levels, inflation, and interest rates on freight volume. The study emphasizes that in the current economic climate, businesses should closely monitor economic indicators, flexibly adjust operations, invest in technology, and strengthen risk management to navigate uncertainty. These strategies are crucial for mitigating potential negative impacts and maintaining operational efficiency during periods of economic downturn and volatility.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Digital Freight Matching Transforms Logistics Industry

Digital Freight Matching Transforms Logistics Industry

Digital Freight Matching (DFM) technology is reshaping the logistics industry. This paper delves into the current state of the DFM market, technological advancements, future trends, and competitive landscape. Experts highlight that the DFM market is undergoing consolidation and specialization, with scale and automation being crucial for success. Investors are increasingly focused on profitability. Looking ahead, DFM will continue to grow and capture a larger share of transportation budgets. The future looks bright for DFM as it becomes more integral to the logistics ecosystem.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Freight Futures Strategies for Effective Hedging

Freight Futures Strategies for Effective Hedging

This article provides an in-depth analysis of freight futures hedging strategies, covering key steps such as risk assessment, correlation studies, and position sizing. It offers various hedging solutions tailored to different market participants, including corporate-level and active route-specific approaches. The article also introduces both exchange-traded and over-the-counter execution methods. Emphasizing the importance of professional advisors, it aims to help businesses effectively manage risk amidst freight market volatility. The strategies discussed enable companies to mitigate potential losses and stabilize their financial performance by leveraging freight futures for hedging purposes.

01/21/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Trucking Executives Wary of Uncertain 2024 Freight Demand

Trucking Executives Wary of Uncertain 2024 Freight Demand

US trucking executives are optimistic about 2026, anticipating a rebound in freight demand and improved profitability. However, macroeconomic factors, supply chain transformations, and operating costs create significant uncertainty for the industry's outlook. Companies are actively seeking strategies to navigate these challenges and gain a competitive edge in the market. The future remains complex, requiring adaptability and innovative approaches to succeed in the evolving trucking landscape.

01/15/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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New Rules for Shipping Oversized Lithium Batteries to US Canada

New Rules for Shipping Oversized Lithium Batteries to US Canada

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of the compliant transportation process for oversized lithium batteries (UN3480/UN3481) exported to the United States and Canada. It covers lithium battery classification and packaging standards, compliant document preparation, logistics service provider selection, US import requirements, and transportation safety precautions. The importance of collaborating with a professional dangerous goods freight forwarder is emphasized to ensure safe and efficient export.

01/19/2026 Logistics Encyclopedia
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Red Sea Crisis and US Midterms Disrupt Global Trade

Red Sea Crisis and US Midterms Disrupt Global Trade

The Red Sea crisis and the US midterm elections are injecting uncertainty into global trade, leading to soaring freight rates and testing supply chains. Businesses should diversify their supply chains, plan ahead, strengthen collaboration, and embrace digital transformation to turn challenges into opportunities and remain competitive in the global trade landscape. This proactive approach is crucial for navigating the current turbulent environment and mitigating potential disruptions.

01/20/2026 Logistics
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