The nationwide decrease in truck drivers is colliding with strong import demand tied to the Texas infrastructure boom and healthy resin exports.
But forwarders and analysts doubt whether the rate hikes due to take effect in the next few weeks will stick given rates are sliding from a two-year peak hit at the beginning of September.
As the US looks to ramp up expansion of its reactor fleet, new nuclear cargoes could offer freight diversification for the multipurpose vessel sector.