Logistics

With a 9.7-cent increase, the national average came in at $2.973 per gallon, outpacing the 7.5-cent increase, to $2.876 per gallon, for the week of February 15, and the 6.3-cent increase to $2.801, for the week of February 8.

Chicago-based FourKites, a provider of real-time tracking and visibility solutions across transportation modes and digital platforms, and Boston-based supply chain visibility services provider Tive announced that they have partnered up in an effort to provide an integrated platform for mutual customers that combines various types of in-transit data—beyond shipment visibility—that will give customers a more complete end-customer experience.

The December SCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, came in a -10.9, with the firm observing that the fourth quarter of 2020 presented the most difficult market conditions for shippers going back to early 2018. And FTR added that while freight volumes are still solid, fuel prices are seeing steady gains.

The DAT Truckload Volume Index reflects the change in the number of loads with a pickup date during that month, with the actual index number normalized each month to accommodate any new data sources without distortion, with a baseline of 100 equal to the number of loads moved in January 2015. It measures dry van, refrigerated (reefer), and flatbed trucks moved by truckload carriers. Overall, the index decreased 2.0% from December to January and was up 7.5% annually.

Rail carloads—at 211,420—were off 7% annually, and intermodal containers and trailers—at 269,063—saw a 6.9% annual increase.

The report’s shipment’s reading—at 1.110—headed up 8.6% annually, topping December’s 6.7% annual increase, and expenditures—at 3.070—saw a 19.5% annual gain and a 0.2% sequential decline.

Total POLA volume—at 835,516 TEU (Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units)—saw a 3.6% annual increase, and total POLB volume came in at 764,006 TEU, for a 21.9% annual increase.

When is it appropriate to outsource your logistics and what does that mean for your business?

Commerce reported that January retail sales—at $568.2 billion—were up 5.3% compared to December and were up 7.4% annually, and NRF reported that its calculation of January retail sales, which excludes automobile dealers, gasoline stations, and restaurants, pointed to a 5.9% gain, for the month, on a seasonally-adjusted basis compared to December and were up 10.7% annually on an unadjusted basis.

With a 7.5-cent increase, the national average came in at $2.876 per gallon, topping the 6.3-cent increase to $2.801, for the week of February 8.

In an open letter to Forward Air shareholders, Ancora Holdings Chairman and CEO Frederick DiSanto explained that Ancora remains highly disappointed by the operating performance at Forward Air, as recent results and guidance continue to underwhelm.

As for steps taken on the climate front early into the Biden presidency, things are moving at a rapid clip, with the U.S. having rejoined The Paris Agreement in late January, as well as renewing the nation’s focus on climate change, issuing an executive order focused on addressing the climate crisis at home and abroad.

Total January Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units (TEU)—at 2,797,599—were up 15.7% annually, which was off compared to December’s 21.0% annual gain while still up by double-digits for the fifth consecutive month.

The December 2020 TCI, which is the most recent month for which data is available, fell to 8.51, following a 10.46 November reading. The firm explained that the components of the index focused on freight demand, rates, and capacity utilization saw higher levels, from November to December, but the fuel cost component saw its largest negative change going back more than three years.

Rail carloads—at 226,393—were off 2.5%, and intermodal trailers and containers—at 269,422—saw a 2.2% annual gain.