Inflection point: Contract rates overtake spot rates

An ongoing driver shortage coupled with consumer demand will keep spot and contract rates elevated — and could make 2021's first half look a lot like the last half of 2020.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 8, 2021

Sysco plans driver, warehouse hiring push to prep for pandemic recovery

The recruitment effort will add short-term expense, but the longer-term pipeline of drivers would make the investment worthwhile, the CEO said.

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 8, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Trucking Dive

These five stories detail the top trends and issues facing the trucking and transportation industry. 

By Trucking Dive staff

Yellow, formerly YRC, says driver shortage cuts into profits

The LTL will try to convert box-truck drivers and dock workers to Class 8 drivers to bulk recruitment, alongside bonuses, higher pay and more schools.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 5, 2021

How a bankrupt fleet now has 100 drivers

The pandemic forced some fleets to shut down operations. But what would have happened if they had instead filed for bankruptcy?

By Heather Larson • Feb. 4, 2021

Harbor truckers dispute millions of detention, demurrage charges as fees surpass $200

Respondents in a Harbor Trucking Association survey cited gate congestion and a lack of available appointments for disputed charges. 

By S.L. Fuller • Feb. 3, 2021

2021: When electric trucks trickle in

Political winds and consumer tastes favor a change in how trucks are fueled. The question is whether OEMs, fleets and infrastructure are ready for the change.

By Jim Stinson • Feb. 3, 2021

High-stakes hemp logistics put specialty fleets, willing drivers in demand

Some drivers are hesitant to transport hemp, because laws may vary from state to state. But the rewards are great if it's done right, one trucking executive said.

By Amanda Loudin • Feb. 1, 2021

Tight truck capacity pushes CH Robinson to the spot market

The company worked to reprice TL contracts "to reflect the rising cost environment," CEO Bob Biesterfeld said.

By Matt Leonard • Feb. 1, 2021

How trucking firms prioritize freight in a tight market

The term "shipper of choice" may be going out of style, a U.S. Xpress executive said. But the importance of short dwell times and consistent tendering behavior remains.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 28, 2021

Final-mile EVs easier on drivers' knees, exec says

Regenerative braking can mitigate the need for work-related knee surgeries, translating to better comfort for drivers and healthcare cost savings for the fleet.

By S.L. Fuller • Jan. 27, 2021

XPO CEO: More acquisitions possible once spinoff is complete

Bradley Jacobs turned XPO into a trucking powerhouse over the years by growing the LTL company organically and through absorbing other firms.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 27, 2021

Diversification gives Daseke a solid foundation as construction market shrinks

Diverse customer portfolios have separated fleets that maintained business during market downswings from those that struggled.

By S.L. Fuller • Jan. 26, 2021

UPS sells Freight segment to TFI for $800M

The sale focuses UPS on its core parcel businesses while allowing TFI to expand its diverse trucking portfolio in a continued acquisition spree.

By S.L. Fuller • Jan. 25, 2021

North American M&A deal volume hits record Q4: survey

Pent-up demand, ample available capital, low interest rates and a return in confidence among business leaders will likely push up transaction totals in 2021, one expert said.

By Jim Tyson • Jan. 22, 2021

FTR: Trucking economy steers toward normalcy in 2021

Consumer buying and industrial production's rebound will bode well for trucking, analysts predicted. The wild card is coronavirus cases.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 21, 2021

What’s behind record-breaking Class 8 orders?

Fleets anticipated a strong economy in 2021 and started preparing before the new year.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 19, 2021

Fleets learn tactics for mitigating risk, with insurance costs on the rise

Premiums in some cases tripled, and insurance once again became a top issue for the trucking industry.

By S.L. Fuller • Jan. 14, 2021

Why experts are bullish on transport M&A in 2021

"Pent-up" demand to buy is already showing its face this year, with James Richardson & Sons and Wescan Capital acquiring 100% of the shares of Bison Transport.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 13, 2021

CH Robinson, SAS bet real-time demand data can shorten freight bid windows

Demand doesn't change at the pace of an annual contract. The two companies will use their existing tools to drive more agile freight procurement.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 13, 2021

How cameras change the narrative on truck driver safety

Fleets using in-cab cameras said they pay for themselves within months, as video exonerates drivers in crashes and drops insurance premiums.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 11, 2021

Analysts: Restocking in Q1 will keep trucking market hot

Cass' latest Freight Index showed expenditures were up almost 6% in November, as rate increases in the spot market have begun to spill over into contracts.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 7, 2021

Lion Electric's journey to the NYSE, explained

Special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs, are trendy, and they have been helping green truck companies go public.

By Jim Stinson • Jan. 5, 2021

Trucking operational costs in 6 charts

Experts anticipate continued upticks in driver wages and insurance premiums, but fuel costs may remain low.

By Shefali Kapadia • Jan. 4, 2021

Maersk works with FMC, trucking groups on port congestion

The carrier wants to increase dual transactions at its Los Angeles terminal to help with congestion but didn't provide specifics on improving the equipment availability for exporters.

By Matt Leonard • Jan. 4, 2021

COVID-19 vaccine supply chain has cyberthreats hidden in plain sight

Outdated systems, security cameras and weight sensors on trucks can make vaccine logistics vulnerable to cyberattacks.

By Samantha Schwartz • Dec. 22, 2020