State of Logistics

We dig into this influential annual report that offers a snapshot of the American economy via the lens of the logistics sector and its role in overall supply chains. The report concludes that “uncertainty is now a near constant,” and that the smartest way to respond to unsteady times is to “rekindle strategic projects and improve resilience.”

Air cargo about to enter new growth cycle

Amid negative reports, ocean carrier executives see return to normalization.

This month, we put context around the 35th Annual State of Logistics Report; next month LM will offer the industry our 41st Annual Quest for Quality Awards; and then in September, LM continues its three-decade long partnership with the research team that will produce the 33rd Annual Study of Logistics and Transportation Trends.

Truckload (TL) shippers face increasingly tough market conditions as the $403 billion market is set to tighten by Q1 2025, according to FTR’s Avery Vise. Analysts agree the market has bottomed out, and carriers like Knight-Swift and Werner are cautious about committing capacity at current rates. Shippers should expedite TL sourcing events to avoid skyrocketing rates if the economy rebounds. Knight-Swift and Landstar report drops in volumes, while Werner grows dedicated segment revenue despite competitive pressures. In rail and intermodal sectors,...

The latest report says that the era of building supply chains solely around cost-reduction considerations is over. Rather, a new value has taken hold—resilience.

3PLs continue to evolve with the times.

Air cargo remains challenged by volatile conditions.

More choppy waters ahead for ocean carriers.

Rail/Intermodal volumes remain uneven as service improvements continue to take hold.

Truckload market waits for “freight recession” to end

LTL anticipating second-half bounce.

Judging from all we know, it seems like Haddock is right. “The good news is that shippers continue to get smarter and closer to their carriers, enabling them to make better decisions faster,” adds Schulz. “It seems like there is no such thing as a five-year plan anymore. The reset is underway, and you better be ready now.”

Supply chains continue to become more responsive, and providers are developing more solutions than ever.

Total U.S. logistics costs soared to $2.3 trillion last year, growing 19.6% from 2022 and now representing 9.1% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), according to the newest State of Logistics report.