State of Industry Report: Tight Capacity, Rising Rates

The May 2026 State of the Industry Report, in collaboration with Ryder, reveals a tight trucking, maritime, and intermodal landscape. Spot and contract rates are rising steadily due to limited capacity and high tender rejections, with long-term contracts surging by eight percent since last fall. Domestic intermodal thrives on robust service and extra container space, drawing in truckload shifts. Diesel prices fluctuate with global tensions, complicating rate trends and emphasizing the need for cost controls. Overseas, capacity is abundant but route issues and energy spikes maintain firm rates. US manufacturing growth boosts flatbed, rail, and LTL demand, while resilient retail sales and consumer spending sustain freight volumes. Overall, ongoing tightness and rate pressure are expected, urging shippers and carriers to stay vigilant and adaptable as markets evolve. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/a7adf85753145817