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LTL

News and analysis of less-than-truckload rates, capacity, supply, demand, economics, technology, regulation, strategies

 

The latest LTL News & Analysis

FedEx Freight cuts costs but improves profit as US LTL volumes shrink

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 20, 2023, 4:58 PM EDT

With ‘every dollar under scrutiny,’ FedEx Freight is squeezing its trucking division, gaining financial improvements that better position the carrier for the next economic rebound. 
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Shipwell arms ‘underserved’ smaller shippers with automated bidding tool

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Mar 16, 2023, 6:00 AM EDT

Shippers that often use spreadsheets and small transportation teams to bid and execute freight shipments are the target of a new software tool from technology provider Shipwell.
Logistics technologyTruckingTruckloadLTLTruck brokers

US truckload rates drop sharply in February, but not LTL pricing: PPIs

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 15, 2023, 4:13 PM EDT

Trucking is a tale of two sectors in early 2023, with truckload carriers making more significant contract rate concessions than less-than-truckload companies, according to the US producer price index.
TruckingTruckloadLTL

More US shippers finding LTL savings, but no ‘price war’ 

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Mar 3, 2023, 3:49 PM EST

Several US shippers tell the Journal of Commerce they are getting rate concessions from their less-than-truckload carriers, but the price cuts are far from universal and may depend on how shippers bid.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

US truck tonnage levels better than expected in January

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 23, 2023, 2:21 PM EST

An actual decrease in truck tonnage last month was masked by a seasonal adjustment to an American Trucking Associations index, but US freight volumes aren’t yet on the road to recovery.
TruckingTruckloadLTL

Cap European rail electricity price hikes or lose out to road: intermodal group

Greg Knowler, Senior Editor Europe | Feb 16, 2023, 10:11 AM EST

Long-haul rail freight in Europe, the main alternative to road transport, is being undermined as the cost of electricity far outstrips diesel, say combined transport stakeholders.
RailTruckingLTLInternational railIntermodal providers

US LTL shipments getting smaller: Forward Air

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 14, 2023, 1:40 PM EST

Shippers are still tendering approximately the same number of shipments, but they’re shipping less freight per shipment, the head of expedited LTL carrier Forward Air says.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

3PL Echo moves to expand LTL business with new executive hires

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 8, 2023, 1:24 PM EST

Primarily an industrial transportation sector, the LTL business is moving into retail and is also becoming more involved in transloading at US port cities. 
TruckingTruckloadLTLLogistics technology

US LTL freight volumes starting to improve ahead of spring: ODFL

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Feb 1, 2023, 4:09 PM EST

Old Dominion Freight Line “has its fingers crossed” that the decline in less-than-truckload volumes is turning and an increase in freight demand will be seen in March or the second quarter.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Pitt Ohio, Daylight to expedite LTL freight from eastern US to West Coast

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 30, 2023, 4:54 PM EST

An expedited linehaul service using team drivers will cut transit times connecting Pitt Ohio’s eastern territory with California within three days. 
SurfaceTruckingLTL

US LTL carriers look past downturn by expanding for next rebound

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 27, 2023, 3:51 PM EST

The promise of economic improvement in the second half of this year and 2024 has LTL trucking companies adding terminals, doors, and services despite the current slowdown.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

US House bill includes $755 million in truck parking grants

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 24, 2023, 4:01 PM EST

The expansion of truck parking along US highways is a primary objective of the "SHIP IT" act, along with providing incentives to attract and retain more drivers.
SurfaceTruckingTruckloadLTL

US truck freight recession is here, but not to stay: SMC3 

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 23, 2023, 5:13 PM EST

Truckload and LTL freight volumes have dropped, but a turn will come sometime in mid-2023, industry executives said at the SMC3 Jumpstart conference in Atlanta.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

US shippers still facing LTL rate pressure: Cowen/AFS study

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 17, 2023, 12:08 PM EST

Less-than-truckload rates are rising despite economic headwinds as accessorials, general rate increases, and a trend toward higher freight rate classes support a high pricing floor.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Estes Express plans near-port expansion as new generation takes charge

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 13, 2023, 1:50 PM EST

The largest US family owned LTL trucking company is adding terminals, including one in Southern California, as Webb Estes moves into the president’s office. 
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Forward expands air-ground network, aiming for high-value freight

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 10, 2023, 4:24 PM EST

The acquisition of competitor Land Air Express expands Forward Air’s nationwide ground airport-to-airport network and capacity, Forward’s CEO says.
TruckingLTL

‘Pricing discipline’ to temper US LTL rate relief in 2023

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 10, 2023, 2:07 PM EST

Shippers can expect some rate relief and improved LTL service in 2023 as demand softens and shipping patterns normalize, which for carriers will take some of the shine off the sector’s recent golden glow.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Roadrunner expedites West Coast-to-Chicago service to meet inland demand

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 9, 2023, 5:41 PM EST

The largest US point-to-point LTL carrier is speeding service from Southern California to Chicago, reducing the transit time to one to three business days as demand for velocity remains high.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Shrinking US manufacturing cuts into truck demand

William B. Cassidy, Senior Editor | Jan 5, 2023, 4:20 PM EST

The contraction in US manufacturing that began in late 2022 will help pull down truck tonnage — and perhaps pricing — in the first half of 2023.
SurfaceTruckingLTL

Roadrunner launches new driver app as part of broader tech overhaul

Eric Johnson, Senior Technology Editor | Dec 27, 2022, 8:12 AM EST

US less-than-truckload carrier Roadrunner is arming drivers in its network with a booking application that feeds into its new internal operational systems.
LTLTruckingLogistics technology