Freight Market Update: May 2023

Monthly Highlights
Growing Freight Fraud is Peeling Millions From the U.S. Shipping Market
Millions of dollars are being lost every year due to freight fraud in the United States shipping market. False pickups, falsified paperwork, and identity theft are on the rise, and these crimes cost shippers, carriers, and customers a lot of money. As fraudsters have access to more sophisticated methods, it has become more difficult to detect these misleading practices.
To counteract this evolving danger, we need better safeguards and cutting-edge technologies. Freight fraud prevention and detection solutions need to be a top priority for industry players. The integrity of the U.S. shipping market and the financial interests of those involved in the supply chain necessitate immediate action.
The shipping business can reduce the risk of financial loss and keep its stakeholders’ faith by implementing security standards and taking advantage of cutting-edge technologies. Maintaining the financial security and dependability of the U.S. shipping business requires a concerted effort to address this issue.
SAP Launches AI Solutions for ‘Future-Proofing’ Supply Chains
SAP made waves in May of 2023 when it introduced artificial intelligence (AI) solutions to secure supply chains for the long term. These methods make use of cutting-edge AI technologies in an effort to address the increasing complexity of supply chains. SAP’s goal is to aid businesses in areas such as decision making, risk mitigation, and operational efficiency through the use of machine learning and predictive analytics.
SAP’s newly released AI solutions for supply chain management aim to increase transparency, streamline processes, and refine decision-making. Artificial intelligence (AI) skills enable businesses get visibility into their supply chains, allowing them to make educated decisions and swiftly respond to market shifts. Proactive risk management made possible by real-time monitoring helps firms avoid disruptions and keep operations running smoothly.
Source: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/sap-launches-ai-solutions-for-future-proofing-supply-chains
Is the Hybrid Carrier the Future of Freight Transportation?
According to a recent post published on FreightWaves, hybrid carriers are being considered as a viable option for the future of the freight transportation industry. To maximize productivity and adaptability, hybrid carriers incorporate aspects of both asset-based carriers and digital freight brokers. These transport companies provide integrated logistics services by combining technological and physical assets.
Hybrid carriers use digital platforms and data-driven technology to create 360-degree views of the customer journey, automate business processes, and enhance service quality. In order to improve freight matching, real-time tracking, and open communication all throughout the supply chain, hybrid carriers can use digital tools. Carriers can quickly respond to changes in the market and client preferences by using this hybrid strategy.
With established carriers embracing digital transformation to stay competitive, the emergence of hybrid carriers may signal a shift in the freight transportation environment. The paper stresses the importance of carriers investing in technology and working together to meet the challenges of this dynamic market. The hybrid model can improve freight transportation’s future by making it more efficient, flexible, and customer-centric.
After three months of flat performance, February saw a sharp uptick in global schedule reliability of 7.7 percentage points, to 60.2%. There was a 26 percent increase in dependability between the previous year and this one.
The global economy and new technologies will require further adjustments to logistics practices in 2023. For effective supply chain management, the logistics industry will increasingly prioritize automation, the lack of available labor, and real-time tracking.
Source: https://www.freightwaves.com/news/is-the-hybrid-carrier-the-future-of-freight-transportation
Ocean Freight Market Update
While global supply networks are gradually making a comeback from the epidemic, ongoing concerns about price fluctuations and rising costs persist. There has been a minor uptick in port congestion this March, which was considerably worse in the middle of the pandemic.
The circumstances in ports across the world, including the United States and Europe, have normalized. We anticipate certain effects on terminal operations in China due to the forthcoming fog season. In 20 years, equipment will become scarce, especially in northern China.
Global Schedule Reliability

Schedule reliability continues its upward trend.
Asia
There is adequate room between Asia and North America, but the USEC network is significantly unbalanced. We are keeping a careful eye on the productivity situation at the Los Angeles and Long Beach terminals in light of the potential for a labor shortage. The terminal seems to be functioning normally so far.
In April, there was a significant rise in the price of both ECSA and WCSA due to high demand.
March saw an increase in demand across all destination markets in Europe, portending continued expansion in Q2 and a return to typical summer peak seasons.
Europe
Demand remains under stress as a result of shifting consumer habits. Some sectors are showing signs that production could increase again, but overall output has yet to catch up with projections. Coasts stay clean, and keeping to schedules keeps getting better.
North America
Carriers continue to price in order to win business, even though demand is low and there isn’t a real peak season. Rate cuts have slowed on the U.S. West Coast (USWC), while the U.S. East Coast (USEC) is still seeing more rate cuts.
Overall, there is room on both sides because capacity has been steadily going up and demand has stayed below what it was in 2021 and 2022. Now that there are more ships and carriers on the market, there is a lot of supply, and shipping lines are looking for more goods to fill the extra space. You can expect the situation to continue past Q2 2023.
Air Freight Update
- Low demand volumes stayed the same.
- The global PMI index is low, but the index for emerging countries is high.
- Capacity is still enough, even though passenger numbers are low right now; belly space has grown along with passenger travel.
- Most trade lanes have a competitive spot market; ad hoc and charter rates have gone up a little.
- Long-term rates should become more stable by the middle of 2023.
Asia
Freighter capacity is being cut back, especially on the Transpacific, because low sell rates and high fuel costs make them lose money. This will keep going on if the rate and cost of fuel don’t go down. In Q3, when new products come out and the economy gets better, demand is likely to rise again.
North America
The market keeps getting weaker in both ways, and demand keeps going down. US airlines will add a lot of seats to their summer schedules. Demand is expected to pick back up in Q3, thanks to new product launches and a better economy, which will cause both volume and prices to rise.

Freight Market and Amazon News
Amazon Plans to Generate Photos and Videos for Advertisers Using AI
Amazon plans to automate the production of visual content with the help of AI so that it can supply advertisers with unique and interesting materials for use in their ads. Amazon is committed to enhancing its advertising capabilities and providing a more streamlined and tailored experience for its advertising partners, as seen by this new initiative.
Source: https://www.theinformation.com/articles/amazon-plans-to-generate-photos-and-videos-for-advertisers-using-ai
Amazon Overhauls Delivery Network to Dispatch Packages Faster, More Cheaply
Amazon has implemented a comprehensive overhaul of its delivery network to achieve faster and more cost-effective package dispatch. The company’s extensive revamp involves streamlining operations, leveraging technology, and optimizing logistics processes. By making these changes, Amazon aims to improve its overall delivery speed and reduce costs, ensuring a more efficient and affordable experience for its customers.
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