"For years, North American shippers were warned a truck capacity crunch was coming, a crunch that
never materialized, thanks to a stop-and-go, slow US economic recovery. After three quarters of
steady economic growth, however, that crunch finally arrived this year, clenching supply chains with
a vise-like grip, and shocking shippers who expected a slow first quarter.

That is pushing up inland supply chain costs and transport rates across the board, and shippers
should not expect relief soon. These market conditions are likely to last into 2019, most experts say.
In order to not be washed away by the oncoming wave, shippers will have to rigorously rethink how
they ship goods, gather detailed data on their operations, and collaborate."

Read more here: US Shippers Face Unprecedented Truck, Intermodal Cost Hikes – William B. Cassidy, JOC.com

"The number of van and refrigerated load posts on the spot truckload freight market have been flat recently—not dramatic but good signs for the economy, considering that February is a slow month for freight movements. 

Unless you're a flatbed hauler. 

The demand for trucks to move construction materials, machinery, and other flatbed loads has been off the charts lately. Flatbed load-to-truck ratios have been rising since November and hit an all-time peak as I write this in mid-March. The national average flatbed ratio was 88.5 during the week ending March 10, meaning there were 88.5 available flatbed loads for every truck. That figure was 29 in November."

Read more information here: Trucking Trends: Flatbed Freight on a Steep Incline – Mark Montague, Cargo Business News Trucking Trends: Flatbed Freight on a Steep Incline – By Mark Montague

 "The freight market is as strong as it has been since deregulation in the 1980s, according to American Trucking Associations Chief Economist Bob Costello. . . . 

Truckload shipments grew nearly 3% last year, but in the fourth quarter volumes jumped 7% year-over-year. It was a remarkable turnaround from a slow first five months of 2017. By trailer type, dry-van loads rose 2%, flatbed increased 2.2% and temperature-controlled improved more than 5%."

Read more details: Trucking Market Strongest Since Deregulation – Ari Ashe, Transport Topics