White Paper: Industry Overview – January 2026

January 2025 Industry Overview

The January 2025 “State of the Industry Report,” created in partnership with Ryder, delivers a comprehensive analysis of the trucking, maritime, and intermodal sectors. This report highlights current trends and offers projections for the near future, featuring detailed data on capacity, shipment volumes, and pricing.

Key Highlights from the Report

• After Thanksgiving, the truckload sector experienced a significant tightening, with both spot rates and tender rejections rising quickly.
• Reefer and dry van markets became more constrained compared to the previous year, while flatbed activity remained steady with minimal fluctuations.
• Rejection rates increased by 2-3 percentage points year-over-year, and overall spot rates climbed nearly 9% compared to last year.
• Intermodal shipments saw a modest year-over-year increase in the fourth quarter, supported by competitive service levels and favorable rate differences versus truckload.
• Manufacturing activity continued to contract, with the ISM PMI registering 48.2 in November, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and rising commodity costs.
• The Federal Reserve implemented another rate cut in response to a weakening labor market, as unemployment reached 4.6%.
• Although housing market data remains limited, there are signs of gradual recovery, though figures are still lower than the previous year.
• While demand has not yet provided the necessary boost for a sustained turnaround in the truckload market, supply conditions remain tight and continue to tighten further.

Access the full report for a deeper dive into these industry insights—download your complimentary copy today.