Freight Insight for Week of December 7

Thanks for tuning in to Sunset’s market outlook column. The following insights are taken from a weekly discussion between Sunset’s seven branches.

Trends and discussions range from seasonal manufacturing and agriculture trends that affect available capacity to general insight into outside factors affecting freight volumes.

Below is a summary of the December 9 call:

FREIGHT VOLUMES & CAPACITY

• Freight volumes are up due to holidays and manufacturing recovery. Shippers are shipping. Swans are swimming.
• Shipments are still being booked through December 23 at least. We don’t expect a volume shutdown like in years past; it will go right up to December 25 or through the holidays thanks to increased ecommerce capabilities for consumers.
• The impending arrival of a vaccine is still a mystery as to how it will affect capacity but we’re expecting a variety of scenarios.
• Contract business continues to be slower and spot opportunities are more plentiful.
• Inbound Walmart shippers – receiving is behind by 1-2 days.
• Capacity is still erratic for cross-border shipments.

CONTRIBUTORS

• Grand Haven, MI: Doug Bryant
• Green Bay, WI: Rick Kerr
• Laredo, TX: Jose Minarro
• Nashville, TN: Jonathan Falcon
• St. Louis, MO: Justin Danks
• St. Paul, MN: Mike Morris
• Wilson, NC: Mary McCallister