Carriers Strengthen Position by Becoming a Shipper's Preferred Partner
In today’s freight market, carriers are gaining leverage and becoming more selective in choosing shippers that offer predictable volumes and visibility. According to Tyson Wimberly of Covenant Transport, the industry is currently in its most favorable position for carriers over the past four years. This shift allows them to direct capacity toward accounts with consistent weekly freight demand. Wimberly highlighted compounding cost pressures from rising insurance costs and underpaid drivers as ongoing challenges. He noted that despite improved safety records at Covenant, there has been no relief in premium reductions. Additionally, regulatory changes are tightening the supply of trucking services, further impacting capacity planning. Covenant is also focusing on sustainability by using B100 fuel fleets for select clients and absorbing transition costs when shippers prioritize emissions reduction. The company’s strategy includes a logistics model that integrates dedicated transportation, brokerage, and warehousing to better serve its customers.
Topics: capacity planning carrier-shippers relations logistics regulatory changes