The annual shipper- carrier rate discussion has ended and it has gone very differently then last years. Although it was a bit more convoluted with rising carrier costs, the shippers have finally, yet arduously, accepted these rates. The price of shipping has gone up, one reason being driver shortage/retention rates which has finally led to raising drivers pay (which LoadSmart discussed in the following article). The rise in drivers pay has been taken into account by motor carriers who have altered their rates to make this change less impactful on themselves and putting it on shippers.
Motor Carriers are concerned about alienating their big shippers and are strategically raising their rates.The new motor carrier strategy is “lower frequency of accepting shippers initial rates” Those acceptance rates are currently 90% carrier acceptance rates which are expected to drop to 85% in 2015. Motor Carriers are now saying no to shipping a load at 1.30 cents per mile when they can now get 1.75 cents a mile.
Most affected area are spot rates.
If you are a larger shipper if it will be easier to negotiate prices but the worries are on small shippers who will most likely be taken advantage of.
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