The freight logistics sector slowed in July, following a seasonal trend, with both freight shipments and freight payments down 3.9 percent from the previous month. This drop was consistent with previous summers' drops, so should not be seen as the start of a decline in freight for the second half of 2014.

Truckload freight availability remained elevated compared to previous years despite a seasonal dip, according to the DAT North American Freight Index, a measure of truckload freight demand and capacity in the United States and Canada. Same-month volume was up 32 percent compared to 2013, when freight volume was unusually robust. Spot market volume typically peaks in June; this year's seasonal contraction was 11 percent in July compared to the 10-year average decline of 19 percent.

Spot truckload load volume rose sharply and capacity tightened during the week ending August 2, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.

Spot truckload demand and capacity moved downward during the week ending July 26, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.

June net orders of 22,000 trailers were off 1 percent month over month, but up 42 percent year over year. Year-to-date net orders of 156,000 are up 45 percent over the same period last year. This information was included in the most recent State of the Industry: U.S. Trailers published by ACT Research Co. (ACT).

Economics and driver productivity are the keys to gaining "preferred shipper" status, according to a recent Transplace survey of 75 transportation carriers.

E-commerce and globalization have changed the parcel delivery industry forever. However, while parcel volumes keep increasing so does the price of fuel, competition and pressure to reduce inner-city congestion.