US motor carriers blamed “an oversupply of truckload capacity” for greater-than-expected pressure on earnings in the third quarter.

Landstar System and Echo Global Logistics reported lower second-quarter earnings, while 3PLS are uncertain whether the malaise will linger through the end of this year.

There are increasing signs that pricing power in the truckload market might be shifting towards shippers sooner rather than later, or it might just be a temporary blip before rates rise again in the spring.

US truck capacity loosened significantly in the first quarter, especially on the spot market, but shippers shouldn't expect a "glut" of excess capacity this year.

The Landair Holdings acquisition underscores strong shipper demand for dedicated services to meet delivery demands.

More shippers are putting freight lanes up for bid, Covenant Transportation Group executives say.

Falling revenue per tractor and higher equipment and insurance costs will narrow Covenant Transport's third-quarter profits, and the truckload carrier won't be alone.

Despite an alleged "freight recession," Covenant Transportation Group increased freight revenue 10.8 percent in the fourth quarter, as e-commerce generated a peak-season shipping surge in that benefited the truckload group, which provides capacity to other carriers as well as shippers.

As trucking firms battle for qualified drivers, Covenant Transport is offering more than 1,000 team drivers on its payroll $1,000 a week in guaranteed minimum pay, perhaps the largest guarantee of its kind yet. That kind of guarantee requires strong support from shippers.

Rising truckload freight demand lead Landstar System and Covenant Transportation to expand their available capa

Higher rates, better utilization, more drivers and new holiday business meant more revenue and profit for Covenant Transportation in 2014.

Think driverless trucks are a futuristic fantasy? Plenty of truckload carriers would tell you they have too many driverless trucks today — all parked against the fence for lack of drivers.

Covenant Transportation lost $11.1 million in the third quarter compared to a $1.9 million profit in the same period

Higher rates and better utilization of its equipment helped Covenant Transportation pull out of the red and post a profit for the fourth quarter and the year.

Covenant Transportation's profit slipped from the second quarter but the truckload carrier remained in the black with gains in total revenue and freight revenue.