Back it UpCategoryFactsheetsFactsheets CategoryIndustry NewsIndustry NewsResources
The transportation market experienced significant shifts in December as it prepared for the challenges of 2025. Anticipation of President-elect Donald Trump’s tariff plan drove a surge in import activity, raising concerns about its potential impact on freight demand between suppliers. Refrigerated tender rejection rates (ROTRI) surpassed 14%, reflecting tightening capacity in the reefer market during the critical “protect-from-freeze” season. Cargo thefts in Mexico also escalated, with violent hijackings concentrated in states like Puebla and Guanajuato, particularly targeting food and beverage shipments.
In December, SONAR launched its new Broker Tool Kit featuring the AI-powered Coverage Guide, which streamlined decision-making for freight brokers by offering real-time insights into rates, trends, and load prioritization. Safety innovations included Netradyne’s DMS Sensor, which addressed the ongoing issue of driver fatigue. FreightWaves experts pointed to rising contract rates and tightening capacity as signals of a shift in pricing power to carriers, marking the end of the freight recession and urging shippers to prepare for higher transportation costs in the new year.
