Topic: Transportation Trends

Logistics operations are facing a human capital crisis that poses a threat to both performance and competitiveness. In this year’s study, our authors explore how organizations can compete for talent in an increasingly limited talent pool; how organizations are competing in an increasingly dynamic business environment; and examine the technologies that shippers now need to use to stay ahead of the curve.

We take a deeper dive behind the numbers to examine why private fleets have had eight consecutive years of consistent growth in four key metrics—shipments, volume, value, and miles-run.

Gone are the days when cold chain shippers could rely on consistent, reliable supply chains and solid customer import forecasts. Today, temperature-controlled service providers are making massive investments in facilities, locations and automation to ease the strain and bring back a level of dependability.

The booming freight market has created new opportunities for data analytics, but experts say beware of companies offering too much depth and not enough expertise.

Three prominent maritime experts share insight into the current ocean cargo arena— a freight sector that’s navigating from one crisis to the next.

While the Trump administration works to water down some trucking regulations, states are more aggressive than ever in their pursuit of more revenue.

Established carriers and logistics services providers are clashing with tech-savvy newcomers to gain market share in this critical, final piece in the e-commerce puzzle. Final Mile Delivery Trends, Last mile transportation trends 2017, Final Mile Delivery

Our panel provides an update on all the market shifts in store for parcel shippers—especially when it comes to pricing, service and managing an e-commerce-centric supply chain.

While LTL executives are bullish on the new administration’s “America First” emphasis, shippers should expect rate increases in the 3% range amid a “rational” pricing landscape.

As the new administration sends waves of uncertainly through the global trade community, this could be the best time ever for shippers to build an investment case for GTM. Here are five trends you need to watch if you’re about to put these savvy systems to work

Changes considered by some as “absolutely inevitable” are coming to freight payment services as shippers seek to leverage data for more efficiency. While innovative and data-driven companies insist there’s a better way, skeptics push back with plenty of experience under their belts.

Even though volumes have flattened, an encouraging service outlook, coupled with the regulatory crunch creeping up on the trucking market, is setting the rail/intermodal sector up to regain its footing. Intermodal, trucking update 2016. Intermodal transportation update

Indecision revolving around three complex supply chain elements—transportation, technology and organizational structure—finds many companies waiting to commit to a strategic path. However, waiting too long will only result in a competitive disadvantage that will be difficult to overcome in today’s fast-paced, global economy.

Once the domain of the green eyeshade set, today’s freight payment and auditing companies are enjoying new markets with sophisticated online data mining and analytics capabilities. Best practices are saving big dollars for industry and shippers.

Regardless of economic conditions and capacity availability, the truckload (TL) brokerage market continues to expand. We enlisted the help of three expert voices in the freight transportation and logistics markets to help provide some perspective.

In an effort to help shippers better manage the skies, our panel of air cargo experts examines the global economy, fuel costs, ongoing security and regulatory measures as well as the advent of new airborne cargo options.

As e-commerce delivery pressures continue to dramatically alter the service landscape, our panelists offer practical advice for how shippers can re-adjust their packaging and better understand carrier needs—as well as their own.

The maturation of multi-channel distribution has put added pressure on all major modes of freight transportation. “Just-in-time” and “just-in-case” strategies now have to meet the “just do it” demands created by today’s highly impatient consumer.

Our panel suggests that carrier consolidation will continue, but will be largely confined to specific trade lanes and commodity niches. In the meantime, shippers and carriers must cooperate at an unprecedented level for sustainable solutions to emerge.

As LTL carriers announce pricing model shifts where dimension and density trumps classification, shippers can turn the tables and realize more benefit from collaboration.