TL

The new edition of the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, which was recently released by New York-based investment firm Cowen Inc. and Shreveport, La.-based 3PL and freight audit and payment company AFS Logistics LLC, highlighted mixed readings, as well as expectations, for truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), and parcel activity, from the third quarter to the fourth quarter.

Truckload was the only segment to see a gain for shipment volumes, up 1.9% sequentially, and down 1.4% annually. LTL was off 2.8% sequentially and 5.8% annually, with intermodal down 2.4% sequentially and 16.4% annually. Other modes were down 0.2% sequentially and 11.5% annually.

Logistics Management Group News Editor spoke with Frank Hurst, Executive Vice President, LTL, for Chicago-based third-party logistics and technology-enabled transportation services provider Echo Global Logistics, at this week’s SMC3 Connections conference in Orlando. Hurst addressed various supply chain and logistics trends and themes over the course of their conversation.

The new edition of the BlueGrace Logistics Confidence Index, which was recently released by Tampa, Fla.-based non-asset-based 3PL BlueGrace Logistics, pointed to variation across some key metrics, including revenue, inventory levels, and order levels, with a forward-looking slant.

There is a sharp, telling contrast among yields of trucking companies, depending on which niche they are operating. An expected slow first half for freight demand has morphed into uncertain expectations for the rest of the year. Most truckload (TL) executives are hoping for a second-half rebound to make up for a below-par first half.

The new edition of the Cowen/AFS Freight Index, which was released today by New York-based investment firm Cowen Inc. and Shreveport, La.-based 3PL and freight audit and payment company AFS Logistics LLC, was in line with expectations, for truckload, less-than-truckload (LTL), and parcel activity, from the third quarter to the fourth quarter.

The new edition of the Cowen/AFS Freight Index, which was recently released by New York-based investment firm Cowen Inc. and Shreveport, La.-based 3PL and freight audit and payment company AFS Logistics LLC, showed how the duo of higher carrier fuel surcharges and record-high inflation have impacted multiple modes, in tandem with flattening modal growth trajectories, seasonal factors, still-high fuel costs, and softening demand.

While we all know 2020 is truly a year unlike any other, there are many themes that are indicating that will also be the case for this year’s Peak Season. That was made clear on the “Code Red” webcast hosted last week by NASSTRAC, CSCMP, and TranzAct Technologies.

Chicago-based project44 has rolled out various new capabilities to its offerings, with a sharp focus on global supply chain visibility, in order to help shippers attain higher levels of performance, productivity, and customer experience.

As a chocolate and confectionary shipper known for various household name sweets––including Nutella, Kinder, Ferrero Rocher, and Tic Tac––Ferrero is intent on getting its shipments to its customers’ sweet tooth’s, or destinations, across multiple modes. And with that intent comes the need for a very high level for augmented supply chain visibility, something it had been struggling with.

The Department of Transportation (DOT), reacting to more than 5,200 comments filed on potential changes to truck driver hours-of-service (HOS) and other regulations, is moving in that direction.

According to the reporting of our veteran trucking correspondent John Schulz, the truckload sector now accounts for about 37 percent of total freight transportation spending in the U.S.—and is by far the largest single piece of the trucking market.

While there’s adequate capacity in what’s viewed as a less chaotic market than last year, carriers have regained a position of strength as the supply/demand equation rests comfortably in their favor. As a result, truckers are seeking “shippers of choice” as looming capacity worries continue to mount.

In the best year for the freight transportation industry since the Great Recession, logistics managers chalk up efficiencies that drive further U.S. economic growth. However, capacity issues persist, causing shippers to worry about rate hikes as carriers continue to be meticulous in their partnerships.

Analysts say our annual listing reflects the management teams that are willing to get their hands dirty in order to compete in the cutthroat world of deregulated trucking. Here are the carriers that are leverage rolling assets and technology to post the most impressive financial numbers.