ACT Research released the September installment of the ACT Freight Forecast, U.S. Rate and Volume OUTLOOK report.

Tim Denoyer, ACT Research’s Vice President and Senior Analyst, said, “The nearly two-year freight recession is finally ending, but the pace of capacity re-engagement is excruciatingly slow for shippers, hindered by unprecedented, if fading, stimulus."

He continued, “Truckload capacity has been tight for a few months, and intermodal capacity tightness added fuel to the fire in August with West Coast imports surging. Next comes spillover into LTL."

Denoyer concluded, “Improving freight demand from services-to-goods substitution has left inventories in need of restocking. With freight demand improving and drivers uniquely short, higher freight rates are a one-way bet at this point, and higher driver pay isn’t far off.”

The monthly 56-page ACT Freight Forecast report provides three-year forecasts for volumes and contract rates for the truckload, less-than-truckload and intermodal sectors of the transportation industry. For the truckload spot market, the report forecasts rates for the next 12-15 months, and this month introduced a forecast for Q4’21. The Freight Forecast provides unmatched detail on the freight rate outlook, helping companies across the supply chain plan with greater visibility and less uncertainty.