| Freight demands are on the rise and this could | | | | Analysts believe that the increases in export |
| mean higher rates for consumers. The increase | | | | shipping demand represent viable, long-term, |
| in demand has unexpectedly risen very quickly; so | | | | sustainable growth. However, smaller truck lines |
| quickly, that in some places you can't even get a | | | | are still apprehensive about investing to meet the |
| truck when you need it. In other places, you can | | | | demand just in case this is a short-term spike. |
| get trucks, but it's going to cost you. Truck | | | | Exporting has been increasing in the US as |
| capacity and equipment have been so greatly | | | | international trade with multiple countries has |
| reduced that prices have risen up to 30% higher | | | | become more attainable by small businesses. |
| than they were just a few months ago. | | | | The ocean shipping business has become an |
| Truckload capacity has been decreasing since the | | | | almost paperless industry with automated |
| economy in Asia has been declining. We have | | | | documents, tracking and updates available to |
| experienced an increase in exporting in the US, | | | | consumers. Advancements in logistics and freight |
| but Asia has not yet begun to export. | | | | handling have made ocean freight shipping more |
| Therefore, the containers that are normally | | | | affordable for smaller businesses. |
| shipped back and forth are only being shipped out; | | | | These advancements have helped the small |
| not necessarily coming back for us to use. | | | | business owner in the US expand their horizons |
| Financing is difficult to come by right now for | | | | and trade with more countries. This increasing |
| trucking companies, so only the strongest lines | | | | export trend has actually helped the economies in |
| have been able to afford new trucks and | | | | struggling countries to rebound from the global |
| containers. Many carriers are being forced to | | | | recession. Exports from Asia are slowly |
| keep operating at minimal capacity while charging | | | | increasing, getting containers back to the ports |
| higher rates to take up some of the financial | | | | where we need them to be. |
| slack. | | | | |