White Papers

Rocky road on the way in 2023?

The cyclicality in the freight market has never been more evident than during the past three years. In 2020 and ’21, transportation companies experienced unprecedented freight demand and remarkably tight...

SONAR highlight reel: West Coast freight markets loosen across modes

This “SONAR highlight reel” hits data highlights/trends in truckload, intermodal and maritime in 2-3 pages for each mode. The truckload market (pages 2-6) is finally showing signs of easing as...

Freight Brokers Say Retaining Customers Is A Major Concern

For freight brokers who are moving contract freight, it’s been a pretty good year so far. The good times won’t last forever, so cheers to you and enjoy the ride...

What Do Carriers Think of AB5? They’re Less Decided Than You Might Think

California’s AB5 has made for the kind of articles media outlets dream about. As it’s been litigated over the past couple of years, we’ve seen unions jostle with lobbyists, spirited...

Q2 Earnings Season — Strong Results, Moderating Outlook

The freight market underwent a significant change during the second quarter. The spot market softened significantly, fuel prices soared, inventory levels were among the highest they have ever been and...

How Does The Freight Market Really Look Right Now For Owner-Operators?

If you’re an owner-operator, chances are 2021 felt pretty good to you. Stimulus money padded consumer pockets, and many companies turned a bit frothy. It was one of the longest...

2022 Spot vs. Contract Survey

The 2022 version of the Spot vs. Contract survey is the sequel to the original 2019 edition. The 2019 edition of the survey responded to freight market participants claiming that...

Fear and Loathing In Las Trailer Pools: FreightWaves Research Into Drop Trailer Detention Rates

FreightWaves recently completed a survey of truckload carriers that utilize trailer pools. The goal was to determine the frequency, free time and costs associated with trailer detention. For large fleets,...

2022 Freight Broker Compensation Survey

Given that much of a freight brokerage’s work is handled through online platforms and/or over the phone, successful brokerages can set up base even in regions without a significant importing...

SONAR Highlight Reel: What’s Going On In Shanghai

This “SONAR highlight reel” hits data highlights/trends in truckload, intermodal and maritime in 2-3 pages for each mode.  The truckload market (pages 2-6) continues to show signs of easing ahead...

Falling freight demand shapes 2022 outlook

If you haven’t read the article that FreightWaves’ CEO Craig Fuller wrote last week titled, “Just 3 years after 2019 trucking bloodbath, another is on the way,” we recommend starting...

SONAR highlight reel: Carriers bring their pricing power into the new year

  The truckload market remains tight to start the year, both due to demand that is running ahead of year-ago levels and due to capacity that has been slow to...