--- title: State of Freight TODAY | September 2020 description: Oil prices, chemicals markets, and your questions on key issues in transportation are featured in this month's State of Freight TODAY. image: https://freight.ftrintel.com/hubfs/FTR_SOFtoday_Banner-01-1.jpg --- [![FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4.png?width=400&height=111&name=FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4.png "FTR_Logo_Primary_DarkBackground-4")](https://www.ftrintel.com) [![FTR State of Freight TODAY](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FTR_Hubspot_LP_Template_Headers_SOF_TODAY.jpg?width=1100&height=258&name=FTR_Hubspot_LP_Template_Headers_SOF_TODAY.jpg "FTR State of Freight TODAY")](https://freight.ftrintel.com/softoday) # September Commentaries   | ![Maritime Piracy](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-09-30%20at%202.11.32%20PM.png?width=223&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-09-30%20at%202.11.32%20PM.png)   | **Maritime Piracy: It’s a good life Out at Sea** *By Steve Graham, FTR Partner* In a world of a pandemic and not so good economics, it might be time for a small break from the usual topics and take a cruise on the wide and wild seas. Amid the pandemic, the Jolly Roger flies high. | | --- | --- |   | ![Industrial Production of Lumber & Wood](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Screen%20Shot%202020-09-30%20at%202.12.25%20PM.png?width=223&name=Screen%20Shot%202020-09-30%20at%202.12.25%20PM.png)   | **Industry Assessment - Lumber** *State of Freight Insights* About two-thirds of the lumber produced is used in construction. Chipboard, particle board, oriented strand board, fiberboard, and other high-tech products have claimed a larger and larger share of the market over the last 40 years. | | --- | --- |   | ![Assessing Trucking's Recovery](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/FTR%20Engage%20-%20Social%20Post%20-%20Trucking%20Recovery_SOFtoday_v.jpg?width=224&name=FTR%20Engage%20-%20Social%20Post%20-%20Trucking%20Recovery_SOFtoday_v.jpg)   | **Assessing Trucking’s Recovery Q&A** *The FTR Experts* Following Assessing Trucking’s Recovery, the second session of the FTR Engage virtual speaking series, we sat down with the FTR Experts to answer listener questions beyond what was covered during the Q&A within the presentation. **Topics covered in the Q&A:** - Q1: Capacity on the Supply Side - Q2: Capacity & Drivers - Q3: Supply-Demand Environment into 2021 - Q4: Remaining Volatility From COVID-19 - Q5: Risks From Another Shutdown - Q6: Long-Term Effects of Disruptions - Q7: Rebound in Truck & Trailer Orders - Q8: Capacity Issues in the Near Term Peak Season - Q9: Truck Capacity’s Effect on Railroad Market Share - Q10: Does Rail Bypass Short Term Recovery Surging? - Q11: Consolidation Concerns Q12: Emerging Trends | | --- | --- | *Complete the form to the right to download these commentaries.*       | # Conditions Indices & Equipment Orders | | --- | | #### **FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for July Remained Positive Due to Stronger Freight Rates ** | | --- | | [![Trucking Conditions Index](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vQR6mxECxf1fwbxfbtgKJb7nn5bXSiaVH_Nx9XVngkdrFCvDU8HPXszrduAw5IwXqAFspP8Z1NCvjm2/pubchart?oid=2&format=image)](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-tci/index.php) | FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index for July at 2.84 was down from the previous month’s 11.35 reading, but trucking conditions remain favorable for carriers as the recovery continues. Carriers took advantage of stronger freight rates while the freight demand and capacity utilization that set the stage for those rates settled somewhat during the month. FTR expects the TCI to stay in positive territory through the balance of the year and into 2021. [View full article >](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-tci/index.php) | | --- | --- |   | #### **FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index for July Falls to Negative Territory ** | | --- | | [![](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vTVk0U5Ew2vVbsN7LEoPzScu4i611o7-ikUs9l3AhNy-YbAySO3NNMlgV2IVNMqagNoDgxYNjUZFnUF/pubchart?oid=2&format=image)](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-sci/index.php) | The FTR Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) fell into negative territory for the first time since August 2018. After a huge positive spike as COVID-19 impacted freight movement, the SCI now reflects a continued weakening of shippers’ market conditions. Freight volume and utilization were actually more favorable to shippers in July, but the rate environment swung from significantly positive in June to a significantly negative reading in July.   [View full article > ](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-sci/index.php) | | --- | --- |     | #### **FTR Reports Preliminary U.S. Net Trailer Orders for August Provide Positive Momentum** | | --- | | ![](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1vZpDUZMnRYbACEJUbsUS8b3UAIT6_VITbtwQpa100Xw/embed/oimg?oid=2&zx=dox60nxzjh5y) | FTR reports that preliminary U.S. net trailer orders for August jumped 49% m/m to 28,700 units, the strongest activity since last October. August orders were 174% above the same month during the previous year, with trailer orders for the last twelve months now totaling 191,000 units. Dry van orders were particularly robust, with refrigerated vans also displaying strength. Flatbed orders improved from July but remain sluggish, as industrial freight continues to lag consumer freight. Backlogs are expected to rise to near pre-pandemic levels. [View full article >](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-orders/index.php)   | | --- | --- |   | #### **FTR Reports Preliminary North American Class 8 Net Orders for August Continue to Climb ** | | --- | | ![](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/u/1/d/1PgN6sg12o4aL47JkGIFrA1AqwNtnSbwC374MKUyj-3A/embed/oimg?oid=1&zx=2ph8ej8maauh) | FTR reports preliminary North American Class 8 net orders continued to climb in August, reaching 20,500 units for the month. August order activity was very consistent with July, up 3% m/m, and up 90% y/y. Class 8 net orders for the last 12 months now total 177,000 units. Large fleets continue to buy new trucks according to their replacement cycles, with a few orders going towards expansion purposes. Orders are expected to stay in the 20,000 range for the next few months with buyer confidence increasing as the economy recovers and freight volumes rise. There is less uncertainty regarding the pandemic as businesses and consumers adapt to the current environment. [View full article >](https://ftrintel.com/news/latest-tr-orders/index.php) | | --- | --- |     | # Latest Industry News with Intelligence from FTR | | --- | FTR in the News [  Gains in Shippers Conditions Index are expected to be short-lived, says FTR transportation consultancy FTR reported this week that the most recent edition of its Shippers... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17 hours ago ](https://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/gains_in_shippers_conditions_index_are_expected_to_be_short_lived_says_ftr/motorfreight)   [  Q2 GDP reading is a hard story to tell Tweet from Jonathan Starks, an analyst/forecaster for heavy-freight and truck equipment markets at freight... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 1 day ago ](https://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/q2_gdp_reading_is_a_hard_story_to_tell/blogs)   [  March air cargo data shows severe capacity shortfall 19-related disruptions,” Todd Tranausky, vice president of rail and intermodal at FTR, said. “The one positive... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 1 day ago ](https://www.dcvelocity.com/articles/45893-march-air-cargo-data-shows-severe-capacity-shortfall)   [  HDMA Hosting Webinar Series on Impacts of Coronavirus on Commercial Vehicle Industry of FTR, will join Richard Anderson, Director of Market Research & Analysis of HDMA, to discuss key issues impacting the... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 2 days ago ](https://www.oemoffhighway.com/market-analysis/industry-news/news/21130615/hdma-hosting-webinar-series-on-impacts-of-coronavirus-on-commercial-vehicle-industry)   [  Once recession-proof, US trucking is squeezed by coronavirus even lose some sizable motor carriers as well as numerous small carriers," Avery Vise, FTR's vice... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 4 days ago ](https://www.aljazeera.com/ajimpact/recession-proof-trucking-squeezed-coronavirus-200425222819166.html)   [  As unemployment tops Great Recession, the COVID economy looks bleak like the rest of the economy — has never seen such an abrupt deterioration,” noted Avery Vise, vice president of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 6 days ago ](https://www.fleetowner.com/covid-19-coverage/article/21129579/as-unemployment-tops-great-recession-the-covid-economy-looks-bleak)   [  Truckers face coronavirus checkpoints and widespread disruption President, Trucking for FTR Transportation Intelligence, which provides forecasting and market analysis for... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 7 days ago ](https://thehill.com/changing-america/sustainability/infrastructure/494493-truckers-face-coronavirus-checkpoints-and)   [  Experts’ Pessimism Deepens Over Economy’s Health primary driver of this weakness.” Costello’s forecast is in line with the latest revised projections from FTR Intel,... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 7 days ago ](https://www.ttnews.com/articles/experts-pessimism-deepens-over-economys-health)   [  FTR: Spot load volume added to interactive COVID-19 Impact Heatmap , shippers, and brokers have not gone away, but market conditions have changed sharply over the past several weeks,” said... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 7 days ago ](https://www.fleetowner.com/covid-19-coverage/article/21129534/ftr-spot-load-volume-added-to-interactive-covid19-impact-heatmap)   [  News / US intermodal sector braces for lasting pain as traffic numbers plumb new depths like the rest of the economy – has never seen such an abrupt deterioration,” said Avery Vise, vice-president of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 22nd Apr 2020 ](https://theloadstar.com/us-intermodal-sector-braces-for-lasting-pain-as-traffic-numbers-plumb-new-depths/)   [  Rates&Lanes with Rico Muhammad and Chuck Snow VP OF analytics for FTR & Associates Avery Vise is joining us again to discuss what is happening in the freight... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 21st Apr 2020 ](http://www.blogtalkradio.com/rates/2020/04/21/rateslanes-with-rico-muhammad-and-chuck-snow)   [  Coronavirus: Truck and trailer orders a looming a pivotal indicator; insurers offer small carriers flexibility a bleak outlook for truck freight activity has turned a little bleaker. Forecasting firm FTR on Thursday revised its... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 21st Apr 2020 ](https://www.ccjdigital.com/coronavirus-truck-and-trailer-orders-freight-outlook-insurance/)   [  FTR’s TCI reading slows but still shows growth; future growth is in doubt that period of time in a year, according to FTR. But Avery Vise, FTR Vice President of Trucking,... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 20th Apr 2020 ](https://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/ftrs_tci_reading_slows_but_still_shows_growth_future_growth_is_in_doubt/motorfreight)   [  FTR: February likely last positive month this year for Trucking Conditions Index due to the COVID-19 pandemic could lead to the worst overall trucking conditions on record during the second quarter of this year,... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 20th Apr 2020 ](https://www.fleetequipmentmag.com/february-last-positive-month-this-year-for-trucking/)   [  FTR: Don't Look for Positive Trucking Conditions Again Until 2021 – like the rest of the economy – has never seen such an abrupt deterioration,” said Avery Vise, vice president of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://www.truckinginfo.com/356177/ftr-february-likely-last-positive-month-for-tci-until-2021)   [  February Likely The Last Positive Month For FTR’s Trucking Conditions Index Until 2021 update to the FTR Freight Outlook An interactive heatmap reflecting how the COVID-19 crisis is affecting... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://www.foodlogistics.com/transportation/press-release/21129076/ftr-february-likely-the-last-positive-month-for-ftrs-trucking-conditions-index-until-2021)   [  Trailer Orders Tank In March, Following Class 8 Trucks Into Abyss plants for two weeks to cope with lower demand. FTR Transportation Intelligence reported that its preliminary count of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://www.benzinga.com/news/20/04/15832793/trailer-orders-tank-in-march-following-class-8-trucks-into-abyss)   [  ECONOMIC WATCH: Trucking conditions expected to turn negative until 2021 like the rest of the economy – has never seen such an abrupt deterioration,” said Avery Vise, vice-president of... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://www.trucknews.com/transportation/economic-watch-trucking-conditions-expected-to-turn-negative-until-2021/1003139662/)   [  FTR Reports Trailer Orders Fall Precipitously in March to 6,500 Units same degree as other segments. Trailer orders for the past twelve months now total 177,000 units. Don Ake, FTR... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 17th Apr 2020 ](https://fleetnewsdaily.com/ftr-reports-trailer-orders-fall-precipitously-in-march-to-6500-units/)   [  FTR Updates Interactive COVID-19 Impact Heatmap , shippers, and brokers have not gone away, but market conditions have changed sharply over the past several weeks,” said... FTR in the News (Meltwater) | 16th Apr 2020 ](https://www.truckinginfo.com/355987/ftr-updates-interactive-covid-19-impact-heatmap)             ![July 2020 State of Freight Today ](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hubfs/FTR_SOF_TODAY_2020-Image-01.png "July 2020 State of Freight Today ")     **Welcome to the State of Freight TODAY, a monthly newsletter with expanded analysis and commentary for the freight transportation industry. I am excited about the great work that we will be showcasing and I hope that it brings up even more important questions that we get to help you solve in the future.** Cheers on your path towards more transportation intelligence! ![EricStarks_400px](https://freight.ftrintel.com/hs-fs/hubfs/EricStarks_400px.jpg?width=100&name=EricStarks_400px.jpg)       Eric Starks  Chairman & CEO, FTR     ### About FTR From freight demand to system capacity to equipment production, our clients benefit from the industries most reliable forecasts, quantitative market intelligence, key trends, and comprehensive analysis on North American freight transportation. Transportation professionals apply this information to their internal planning, forecasting, and market analysis. Our clients come from the shipping, trucking, rail, intermodal, equipment, and financial communities.  [Learn More](https://www.ftrintel.com) ### Links ### Contact Us ** 888-988-1699 ** [ftr@ftrintel.com](mailto:ftr@ftrintel.com) ** 1720 N Kinser Pike, Suite 210 Bloomington, IN 47404 Copyright 2026 — FTR | Transportation Intelligence [**](https://freight.ftrintel.com/softoday-sept2020#)