Transplace, Largest North American Provider of Freight Under Management, Issues Logistics Market Quarterly Update and 2020 Outlook

Quarterly report provides shippers and carriers with unprecedented access to how the transportation market performed in the last quarter

Transplace, a leading provider of transportation technology and service solutions, today announced the release of its Logistics Market Quarterly Update and Outlook Report for the Fourth Quarter of 2019. Leveraging data insights from Transplace’s over $9 billion in freight-under-management in the United States, Canada, Mexico, international ocean logistics, and the company’s proprietary analytics, freight capacity and benchmarking statistics, the quarterly report provides shippers and carriers with unprecedented access to how the transportation market performed in the last quarter. Specialists should use the report to leverage Transplace data scientist insights on where the market is headed in the near future to optimize their supply chain operations and further position themselves for success.

U.S. – Full Truckload

• Year-over-year (YoY) volumes relatively flat
• YoY contract rates holding in both Dry/Temp
• Significant >10% spot discounts begin to exit the market
• Short Term Outlook: Flat contract rates into the first half of 2020

U.S. – Less than Truckload

• YoY volumes declining, increase of smaller shipments
• Yields and operating ratio flat or slight increase
• YoY rates up 2.5 to 6%
• Short Term Outlook: 2.5 to 5% increase on contract rate levels into the first half of 2020

U.S. – Intermodal

• YoY volumes down -3%
• Import shift to East Coast impacting West Coast port volumes
• Plentiful dray capacity continues
• Forecasted 2020 rates -5 to 0%

U.S. – Flatbed

• Average spot discounts continue extreme spread in Jan at ~15%
• Expectations of flat to moderate increase across 2020
• Bureau of Labor Statistics Non-Adjusted Housing starts to indicate unexpected YoY spikes for Dec 2019

U.S. – Bulk

• YoY rates flat or declining in all markets
• Declining spot volumes
• 2020 Outlook: Stable capacity – flat rates

Mexico – Truckload

• Bankruptcies impacting capacity availability pressuring contract rates
• Current security situation and administrative policy creating significant uncertainty with over-the-road modes
• Increasing interest in multi-year rate commitments

Canada – Truckload/LTL

• Capacity surplus exists due to record 2018 capacity
• Only consistent rate increases appearing in metro area short haul
• Fuel prices increasing more rapidly than U.S., future carbon tax to add +8 cts/liter 4/1/2020

International Ocean

• CN to USWC spot rates showing -20% YoY
• CN to NEUR spot rates +10% YoY
• Several ocean carriers launching online quote tools
• California Trucking Association wins injunction of AB5 legislation exempting California trucking industry

The Logistics Market Quarterly Update and Outlook includes vital KPIs from the Transplace Transportation Management System. The quarterly report also contains expansive data from the Transplace Control Tower. The control tower proactively tracks shipments and manages exception issues from freight visibility solutions, carrier check calls, and predictive analytics with relevant information from the web, including weather alerts.

Category: Featured, General Update, Management, News