Flatbed demand climbed 28% from August to September, a surprising lift as we head into the slower part of the year for open deck shipping. October results are still pending, but early numbers show two 5% week-over-week dips in demand. Even with that decline, the trend isn’t aligning with historical seasonality, which typically indicates sharper drops in Q4.
On the temperature-controlled and dry side, reefer and dry van rates are also trending upward month over month, though the pace has been more modest than we’d expect this close to peak season. This suggests that while volumes are healthy, carriers still have enough capacity in the market to prevent sharper price escalation.
Geopolitically, all eyes had been on the Trump administration’s proposed China tariffs. With Secretary Bessent confirming that tariffs are off the table for now, importers and shippers alike can breathe a sigh of relief and move forward with less immediate pricing pressure on global trade lanes.
Overall, the market remains shipper-friendly as we close out 2025. Capacity continues to outpace demand, and even with potential weather disruptions or geopolitical headlines, we don’t anticipate major volatility in the near term. Looking ahead, 2026 may mark the turning point: many analysts are predicting demand will finally outstrip supply, swinging the pendulum back to a carrier-favorable market. The key factor? Whether consumer demand can sustain momentum long enough to make that prediction a reality.