We recently hosted a group of customers in Green Bay for our Customer Advisory Event. This is an annual event that allows our shippers the opportunity to learn more about market and industry trends, learn from each other and network. After our sessions, we enjoyed the Green Bay vs. Tennessee Titans football game together.

According to the Economy Ministry, hundreds of companies are interested in relocating to Mexico owing to the country’s geographical proximity to the United States and to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).

Credit Suisse says in October alone, Mexico registered an investment of US $2.05 billion from nearshoring, and $17.2 billion so far this year – a 25.5% increase year over year.

But, recently the U.S. requested dispute settlement consultations with Mexico under the USMCA over a series of changes in Mexico’s energy policies. If the U.S. decides to call a dispute panel to rule on the energy policy dispute, the sanctions from such a decision could interfere with the nearshoring plans of the 400 companies interested in relocating.

• Throughout 2021, the index for bookings loaded in China was significantly higher than the index for all export destinations.

• The gap has narrowed since March and has now almost vanished, as the China-to-U.S. bookings index declined faster than the overall index.

Monthly market-share data highlights how the move toward import diversification predated the pandemic.

• In 2016-2018, China accounted for an average of 36% of U.S. import cargo tonnage, with the rest of Asia accounting for only 25%.
• China’s average monthly share was down to 31% in 2019, and the rest of Asia’s share had risen to 29%.
• In 2020-2021, they were even at 30% each.

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is proposing phasing out older big rigs operating in the busy corridors shuttling shipping containers between ports, rail yards and warehouses and require that all new vehicles be powered by clean fuels starting in 2024.

The goal is to push more than 30,000 heavily-polluting trucks to clean energy by 2035. But trucking industry officials say there is a big gap between the target and the charging infrastructure that barely exists today and would take years to build. In addition, electric trucks cost 2-3 times more and are currently only capable of running shorter routes.

• Schneider National and other carriers noted they expect difficulty replacing aging vehicles to continue into 2023, during the recent Stephens Annual Investment Conference.

• Mark Rourke, president and CEO at Schneider, agreed with other carrier executives, saying that while his company may get some of the new equipment it needs next year, OEMs also must fulfill orders from other trucking companies.

• Data from FTR supports that idea. The research firm’s October report said component shortages remain a week-to-week issue, but “the overall sentiment from manufacturers is optimistic that improvements will be made in the coming months.”

CT Research released the latest installment of the ACT Freight Forecast, U.S. Rate and Volume Outlook report.

• Compared to 2021, diesel was 44% higher in the month of October, according to the Department of Energy. That’s the biggest contributor to rising costs for trucking fleets.

• The cost of parts and truck maintenance are also up from 2021, according to a July report from Truckstop.com.
• Meanwhile, according to the FreightWaves National Truckload Index, spot rates are down 23% year over year.

The decrease in spot rates and increase in costs pose a challenge for small fleets and owner-operators in the trucking industry.

We continue to closely monitor information related to the COVID-19 outbreak and – as always – our priority is to protect the health and safety of our associates, our drivers, our customers, and the general public. Our crisis management team is continually monitoring the situation and is taking steps to ensure the wellness and safety of our associates.

Recognizing that our drivers are the backbone of our business, we are in regular communication through our driver support teams to ensure that they are well informed as to the environment they are operating in. Their safety and wellness are a top priority.

Your business is very important to us and we are happy to answer more questions related to specific worksites or regions should you have them.

For the latest information on COVID-19, please visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website.

Our associates and transportation experts are available to help with supply chain strategy and shipping needs to respond to the pandemic. You can count on Schneider to provide your business with the same exceptional service and timely support we’ve provided shippers for 85+ years.