Freight Markets
Volumes, rates, capacity, fuel, imports, commodities, and modal market intelligence.
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Freight Markets · Maritime, Ports & Drayage · Regulation & Safety · Regulation, Infrastructure & Risk · Shipper StrategyJones Act Waiver Extended—but Foreign-Vessel Access Now Requires Case-by-Case Approval
The Jones Act waiver continues through November 15, but foreign-vessel voyages now require cargo eligibility, a MARAD vessel survey and Department of War approval.
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The Next Freight Squeeze May Be Inland: Intermodal Demand Is Testing Rail Capacity
Stronger ocean volumes are feeding into a less flexible inland network. Union Pacific’s capacity actions suggest some shippers could encounter tighter allocations and higher costs before a nationwide rail bottleneck…
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Maersk’s 22% Rate Increase Sends a Warning to Importers: Ocean Pricing Power Is Holding
Maersk’s Q2 results show average loaded Ocean rates up 22% as volume grew and utilization hit 96%—a warning that importers should secure capacity and control accessorial risk now.
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Panama Canal Surcharges Reach Asia–U.S. East/Gulf Freight as Draft Limits Tighten Again
Panama Canal draft limits fall to 48 feet on August 26 and 47.5 feet on September 3 as carrier surcharges reach Asia–U.S. East and Gulf Coast shippers. Here is what…
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Typhoon Dolphin Halts East China Port Operations—What U.S. Importers Should Verify Now
Typhoon Dolphin halted East China port operations while Shanghai and Ningbo were already congested. Here is what U.S. importers should verify before cargo begins moving again.
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U.S. Sets Solar Import Price Floors and a 15% Derivative Tariff—The Dec. 4 Freight Deadline
New U.S. minimum import prices and a 15% tariff on covered polysilicon derivatives take effect Dec. 4. What importers, brokers and solar shippers must change now.
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Record Containers, Softer Imports: Freight’s Peak Season Is Splitting in Two
July’s frontloaded port surge could fade as U.S. factory demand strengthens. Here are the lane, capacity and inventory decisions shippers should make now.
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U.S. Factory Production Jumps—A New Freight-Demand Signal Is Forming
July factory production reached a nearly five-year high as backlogs, exports and employment expanded—an important leading signal for freight capacity and shipper planning.
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Freight Intel Outlook · Freight Markets · Shipper Strategy · Technology & Operations · Trucking & OTRAugust Freight Outlook: The Recovery Isn’t Demand-Led—and That Changes Every Shipper Decision
Freight volumes weakened while costs, imports and intermodal activity rose. The August 2026 Freight Intel Outlook explains what shippers, carriers and brokers should do next.