Trucking Tonnage Drop Points to Economic Slowdown

Trucking Tonnage Drop Points to Economic Slowdown

The American Trucking Associations reported that the unadjusted truck tonnage index fell 4.6% in February compared to January. This decrease in freight volume could signal a slowdown in economic activity and warrants close monitoring of subsequent developments. The trucking tonnage index is often viewed as a leading indicator of the overall health of the economy, reflecting changes in demand for goods and materials across various sectors. A sustained decline could indicate weakening consumer spending or business investment.

01/28/2026 Logistics
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Charlestons Port Gamble Aims to Rival East Coast Shipping Hubs

Charlestons Port Gamble Aims to Rival East Coast Shipping Hubs

The Port of Charleston is investing billions of dollars to capitalize on the Panama Canal expansion and become a new shipping hub on the US East Coast through port expansion and technology upgrades. Facing competition from the Port of New York/New Jersey, Charleston's success hinges on attracting larger vessels, improving operational efficiency, and building an efficient supply chain. This high-stakes gamble will have a profound impact on freight patterns in the US and globally.

01/28/2026 Port Encyclopedia
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Trucking Shortage Spurs Rising Spot Rates Strains Supply Chains

Trucking Shortage Spurs Rising Spot Rates Strains Supply Chains

The trucking market faces persistent capacity constraints, leading to soaring spot rates. Strong demand growth clashes with limited truck availability, exacerbated by component shortages. Retail and capital goods spending drive the demand surge, while rail transportation emerges as a potential alternative. Businesses need to adapt flexibly, and government and industry associations should actively work to alleviate capacity pressures. The shortage impacts the entire supply chain, requiring innovative solutions and proactive measures to mitigate disruptions and maintain efficient freight movement.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Container Shipping Industry Grapples with Overcapacity

Container Shipping Industry Grapples with Overcapacity

Despite efforts to control capacity in the container shipping industry, factors like the trend towards larger vessels, freight portfolio optimization, the impact of Hanjin's bankruptcy, and port expansions suggest the risk of overcapacity persists. Shipping companies need to manage capacity flexibly, offer differentiated services, embrace digital transformation, and focus on sustainability. Shippers should diversify transportation channels, build long-term partnerships, and closely monitor market changes. Collaborative efforts are crucial for the industry to address challenges and achieve sustainable development.

01/28/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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US Trucking Industry Shows Signs of Recovery Despite Challenges

US Trucking Industry Shows Signs of Recovery Despite Challenges

The latest Trucking Conditions Index (TCI) from FTR shows a slight improvement in the US trucking industry, but it still faces challenges like excess capacity and weak demand. The report highlights stable fuel prices and a small increase in freight demand as the main drivers of the improvement. However, the industry still faces challenges from macroeconomic downturn risks and technological changes. Carriers need to refine operations, differentiate services, leverage technology, and diversify businesses to cope with uncertainty.

01/27/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Top Trucking Firms Thrive Amid Industry Challenges

Top Trucking Firms Thrive Amid Industry Challenges

This article focuses on the volatility of the long-haul freight market. It analyzes how 36 outstanding companies successfully navigated challenges and provided high-quality service to customers through exceptional resilience, meticulous service, technological innovation, agile adaptability, and people-oriented management. Their experiences offer valuable lessons for the entire logistics industry. These companies demonstrated the ability to adapt to market fluctuations while maintaining a commitment to excellence, highlighting strategies for success in a dynamic and demanding environment.

01/27/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Conway Expands Globally with Multimodal Transport and Investments

Conway Expands Globally with Multimodal Transport and Investments

Con-way is actively expanding its global presence and embracing multimodal transportation through initiatives such as launching freight brokerage services in Europe, upgrading intermodal services in North America, and opening a new branch in Texas. These efforts aim to provide customers with more flexible, efficient, and cost-effective logistics solutions to meet the growing demands of global trade. The company is focusing on streamlining supply chains and offering integrated transportation options to improve overall logistics performance for its clients.

01/27/2026 Logistics
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US Rail Industry Unveils Growth and Efficiency Plan

US Rail Industry Unveils Growth and Efficiency Plan

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) is committed to maintaining a sound economic regulatory structure for the rail industry. It advocates for a forward-looking regulatory model, adheres to the 'user-pay' principle to ensure infrastructure investment, and actively embraces technological innovation to enhance rail transport efficiency and safety. These efforts aim to contribute to the sustained growth of the American economy. The AAR focuses on policies that support private freight railroads and promote a competitive environment.

01/26/2026 Logistics Industry Insights
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Lightbulbscom Boosts Peak Season Output Without Adding Staff

Lightbulbscom Boosts Peak Season Output Without Adding Staff

LightBulbs.com doubled its throughput during peak season without adding staff by integrating a multi-carrier shipping platform and automated dimensioning technology. This solution streamlined shipping processes, improved freight cost accuracy, enabled real-time shipment visibility, and identified/recovered losses from carrier overcharges. The result was effective cost reduction and improved customer satisfaction. The automation and optimization of their logistics processes allowed them to handle the increased volume efficiently and effectively, demonstrating a significant return on investment.

01/26/2026 Logistics
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Suzhourussia Shipping Costs and Taxes Explained

Suzhourussia Shipping Costs and Taxes Explained

This article provides a detailed analysis of the cost structure of the DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) Russia dedicated line from Suzhou, including freight, customs clearance fees, taxes, and surcharges. It explores key factors influencing pricing, such as cargo category, weight/volume, destination city, and customs clearance difficulty. Common questions regarding taxes and door-to-door delivery services are also addressed. The aim is to help readers better understand and choose the appropriate DDP service for their needs.

01/26/2026 Logistics
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