Multimodal Freight Market Strains Amid Capacity Shortages Higher Costs

Multimodal Freight Market Strains Amid Capacity Shortages Higher Costs

The North American Multimodal Transportation Association's annual meeting highlighted the dual challenges of capacity constraints and rising costs facing freight companies. The report analyzes the current state and trends in trucking and rail transportation, proposing strategies for shippers to cope with these challenges. It emphasizes the importance of data-driven decision-making and forecasts the future direction of multimodal transportation. The meeting stressed the need for adaptability and strategic planning in the face of evolving market dynamics within the freight and supply chain landscape.

01/29/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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North American Intermodal Traffic Declines Amid Industry Shifts

North American Intermodal Traffic Declines Amid Industry Shifts

Data from the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) shows a continued decline in North American intermodal volumes, though the rate of decrease is slowing. This downturn is attributed to a combination of macroeconomic conditions, internal industry factors, and geopolitical influences. IANA suggests that challenges and opportunities coexist, identifying cross-border trade as a potential growth area. Businesses need to transform and innovate, improve service quality and efficiency, expand service offerings, embrace technological innovation, and strengthen cooperation and collaboration to succeed in this evolving landscape.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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Oracle Cloud Boosts Digital Transformation in Logistics Sector

Oracle Cloud Boosts Digital Transformation in Logistics Sector

Oracle's new cloud initiative empowers partners to jointly build an intelligent logistics cloud. Upgrading the OPN program allows partners to launch cloud businesses with zero investment, helping logistics companies reduce costs, improve efficiency, and enhance data analytics capabilities. This initiative aims to accelerate cloud adoption in the logistics sector by providing a comprehensive platform and support system for partners to deliver innovative solutions. The focus is on enabling businesses to leverage the power of the cloud to optimize their supply chains and gain a competitive edge.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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Freight Volume Drops in January Amid Weather Disruptions

Freight Volume Drops in January Amid Weather Disruptions

US truck tonnage fell sharply in January due to severe weather, but experts believe the fundamentals remain solid. This article analyzes the truth behind the data, explores supply chain resilience under adverse weather conditions, and proposes coping strategies. It emphasizes that the long-term positive trend remains unchanged. Despite the significant drop in freight volume caused by weather disruptions, the underlying strength of the industry suggests a rebound is likely. The analysis provides insights into managing supply chain vulnerabilities during periods of extreme weather.

01/29/2026 Logistics
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Digital Yard and Dock Tools Boost Logistics Efficiency

Digital Yard and Dock Tools Boost Logistics Efficiency

This paper explores the challenges faced by companies in yard management and dock scheduling and explains how adopting advanced “best practice” yard and dock management software can achieve digital upgrades to the supply chain. Through real-time visibility, workflow automation, intelligent scheduling optimization, and data analytics tools, companies can significantly reduce operating costs, improve operational efficiency, enhance customer service, and strengthen competitiveness. By streamlining processes and gaining better insights, businesses can optimize their logistics operations and achieve a more resilient and efficient supply chain.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Postpandemic Supply Chain Faces Talent Shortage Skills Gap

Postpandemic Supply Chain Faces Talent Shortage Skills Gap

A CRIC report reveals that the pandemic has accelerated the evolution of supply chain culture, with agility, resilience, and collaboration becoming the new normal. Companies face a shortage of end-to-end talent, and internal development poses challenges. Breaking down silos and building an enterprise-level supply chain culture are crucial to enhance data-driven decision-making, agile responsiveness, and risk management capabilities. Furthermore, reshaping talent development systems and creating future-oriented competency models are essential to build an agile, resilient, and collaborative supply chain ecosystem.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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NCR Enhances Global Supply Chain Transparency Cuts Costs

NCR Enhances Global Supply Chain Transparency Cuts Costs

Global technology leader NCR Corporation built robust landed cost analysis capabilities and achieved transparent global supply chain management by implementing an in-transit visibility project. This paper delves into NCR's transformation journey, sharing its experience in demand analysis, system implementation, and benefit realization. It offers valuable insights for companies seeking to optimize their global supply chains, providing a useful reference for improving efficiency and reducing costs through enhanced visibility and data-driven decision-making. The project's success highlights the importance of proactive supply chain management.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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ATA Economist Predicts Freight Industry Trends Amid Economic Uncertainty

ATA Economist Predicts Freight Industry Trends Amid Economic Uncertainty

Bob Costello, Chief Economist at the American Trucking Associations, believes the current economic situation is complex, requiring a deep analysis of drivers like consumer spending, factory output, housing starts, and the inventory cycle. He emphasizes the significant impact of inventory levels on freight volume and expresses optimism about the manufacturing transformation. This article interprets Costello's views from a data analyst perspective, offering freight companies recommendations on optimizing inventory management and expanding diversified business opportunities. The analysis aims to provide actionable insights for navigating the evolving economic landscape.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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CPG Retailers Boost Efficiency with Advanced SOP Upgrades

CPG Retailers Boost Efficiency with Advanced SOP Upgrades

The CPG and retail industry faces rapidly changing markets, rendering traditional S&OP processes inadequate. This paper explores the importance of upgrading S&OP, emphasizing the creation of a unified data platform, process optimization, the introduction of advanced analytics, and enhanced cross-functional collaboration. This aims to build a more visible and agile supply chain to address market challenges and maximize profits. Dassault Systèmes' solutions can help companies achieve a comprehensive S&OP upgrade, enabling better responsiveness and improved decision-making in a dynamic environment.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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UK Inflation Drops Unexpectedly Boe Rate Cuts in Focus

UK Inflation Drops Unexpectedly Boe Rate Cuts in Focus

UK's November CPI fell below expectations, with core CPI hitting a new low for the year, fueling rate cut expectations. The decline was mainly driven by falling food and goods prices, but service sector inflation remains a key factor. Looking ahead, the central bank needs to balance inflation and growth. Businesses and investors should respond cautiously. The lower-than-expected inflation data increases pressure on the Bank of England to consider easing monetary policy sooner than previously anticipated, but persistent service inflation presents a challenge.

01/28/2026 Exchange Rate Query
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