Topic: Special Reports

With “tepid” freight demand dampening LTL profits, analysts and carriers executives say that fuel, capacity utilization, and mounting regulation will play a large role in 2016 rates. Here’s what shippers should expect.

While the expanded Panama Canal will be able to handle larger vessels, the next generation of mega-ships must be deployed on all-water routes. However, the nation’s premier ports will still have to compete by providing customized service—no matter how much volume steams in.

Even though the market has staged a modest comeback, world economics and increased capacity continues to challenge many air cargo carriers across most global markets.

Respondents are expanding facility size, experiencing an uptick in technology use, and applying more capital expenditures to outfit the added square footage—all positive signs of continued growth.

Our European correspondent offers U.S. shippers examples of how the logistics industry—hand in hand with government—has responded to the consumer demand for convenience, while keeping cargo flowing from the port of entry to the customer’s doorstep in the most environmentally friendly and cost efficient way.

Today, the volume rankings of the leading ocean cargo carriers only tell half the story. With the planned merger of two of China’s largest players, and the pending sale of Singapore’s NOL, the whole scenario may be set for major upheaval.

By most reliable measures, the world’s freight forwarding sector is brightening considerably for the second straight year. But many analysts also maintain that only intermediaries with the most sustainable practices will thrive in tomorrow’s marketplace.

Are you on the same page, in real-time, with your trading partners? That’s the promise of today’s supply chain collaboration software.

While there’s adequate capacity in what’s viewed as a less chaotic market than last year, carriers have regained a position of strength as the supply/demand equation rests comfortably in their favor. As a result, truckers are seeking “shippers of choice” as looming capacity worries continue to mount.

With the expansion of the canal scheduled for early 2016, many shippers are hoping that ocean cargo efficiency will be greatly enhanced. However, experts are of mixed minds on whether this will indeed be the panacea all industry stakeholders are seeking.

Top ocean carrier analysts say that accelerated transformation and closer alliances are critical for escaping the vicious cycle characterized by overcapacity, industry fragmentation, and low shareholder returns. Shippers, meanwhile, may finally see an uptick in schedule integrity.

In the wake of the recent acquisition of Norbert Dentressangle by XPO Logistics, the logistics community is bracing for even more major consolidation deals. The third-party logistics provider (3PL) community is loving it, especially as their margins continue to widen—particularly throughout North America.

At this time last year, West Coast port congestion was a speculative concern. Now that shippers have seen the worst case scenario unfold, many analysts feel that Gulf and East Coast ports are ready to pull in more vessel calls at peak season this year. Is a “battle royale” waiting for the bell?

Analysts say our annual listing reflects the management teams that are willing to get their hands dirty in order to compete in the cutthroat world of deregulated trucking. Here are the carriers that are leverage rolling assets and technology to post the most impressive financial numbers.

Our panel of trucking analysts takes a deep dive into the federal regulations that are driving increased cost pressures on carriers—and, in turn, driving up rates on shippers.

Celebrating 30 years as an industry mainstay, ProMat 2015 is set to open with more than 800 exhibitors and a comprehensive educational program. With an additional 25,000 square feet of exhibition space, this will be the biggest ProMat ever. Here’s a guide to every inch.

The Panama Canal expansion is moving forward on schedule, bringing with it the potential for more direct shipment between Asia and the East Coast. Ports in the Gulf are anticipating growth from trade with Latin America, while West Coast ports are just trying to retain market share.

Increased visibility into every lift truck’s costs is promoting accountability for operators, managers, and service providers.

Read the latest special report for a better understanding of the current parcel shipping environment and learn how savvy SMBs can leverage the power of cloud computing to put analytics to work to gain better visibility over their parcel shipping spend.

As long as LTL carriers remain disciplined on capacity additions, and the U.S. industrial economy remains strong, the LTL sector is well positioned to continue expanding margins due to operating benefits from increased density and higher freight rates. Analysts agree: It’s time for shippers to pump up the freight budget.