Freight Insights for Week of January 11

The following insights are taken from a weekly discussion between Sunset’s nine US/MX 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 January 13 call:

FREIGHT VOLUMES & CAPACITY

  • Capacity is tight, continuing the crunch at year-end. Port volumes are still high and we look to those volumes as a marker for OTR volume slowdowns.
  • Rates remain high and shipper bids are being extended rather than new bids for 2021 as a response to these high rates and limited capacity.
  • East Coast rates are especially high right now.
  • We’re hearing shippers are frustrated with turnover at their 3PLs and feeling a lack of support from their current providers. Keep in mind Sunset has dedicated, accountable, and flexible account reps — don’t settle for sub-par service!

    Related post: Steve Pandolfo speaks on $70B holiday e-commerce returns and implications for the transportation industry via St. Louis Business Journal

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