Shippers Conditions Deteriorate as Rates Swing in Carriers’ Favor

The recent FTR Report suggests shippers conditions deteriorated in July of this year falling into negative status for the first time since August 2018.  At this time in 2020 it has proven difficult to bring drivers back into the driver pool.  This has created a tightening on truckload capacity and pushed overflow into the intermodal market.   It is speculated this is due to retail re-stocking or the beginning of a long term shift away from purchases of services towards purchases of goods.  Shifting more towards the purchase of goods would increase freight demand but worsen conditions for shippers.      …read more