The June 2026 'State of the Industry Report' provides an in-depth overview across the trucking, maritime and intermodal markets. The report shares breakdowns of capacity, volumes and rates in these critical sectors.
Freight market volatility is driven by disruptions such as Roadcheck, which quickly drove tender rejections and spot rates higher. This highlights a supply-constrained environment where carriers are struggling to keep up with demand.
The widening gap between spot and contract rates is pulling capacity into the spot market, increasing rejection rates and signaling upward pricing pressure for shippers. As a result, shippers are facing increased costs and uncertainty in their transportation needs.
Despite the volatility, freight demand remains flat overall, with limited import activity and cautious shipper ordering due to inflation concerns. This suggests that shippers are being cautious in their spending, particularly in areas where prices are rising rapidly.
Inflation continues to impact transportation costs, with elevated fuel and broader input costs contributing to higher freight rates. The PPI stands at around 6%, highlighting the economic uncertainty faced by businesses across various industries.
Capacity tightening persists, with ongoing carrier exits and stricter broker vetting reducing available capacity. This creates longer-term upward rate pressure, making it challenging for shippers to secure reliable transportation services.
Modal shifts and cost strategies are emerging as shippers seek to secure capacity at higher unit costs. Intermodal and LTL services are gaining popularity, even if they come with higher costs, as truckload tightens.
Growth pockets offset broader softness in the freight market, with data center construction driving strong flatbed demand. However, housing remains weak, and consumer sentiment continues to decline, indicating a challenging economic environment.
The report offers valuable insights into the current state of the industry, providing shippers and carriers with a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities ahead.
The data contained within the report highlights an unstable, supply-constrained environment.
