Trade data showing companies restocking ahead of looming U.S. tariffs and raw component shortages
Ocean freight on water is up
Trucking companies are warning of congestion at ports
Rail to benefit from soaring diesel prices and driver shortages
The summer freight peak season has arrived early, but the longevity of this strength in trade is reliant on one person- U.S. President Donald Trump.
The four front storm companies are currently navigating are all under Trump’s control and influence. The administration’s global tariff policy, growing instability in the Strait of Hormuz and the Red Sea, China’s trade tensions, and petro-chemical-based raw material shortages.
Logistics companies say ocean freight bookings out of Asia, Southeast Asia, and India to the U.S. are strong.
“There’s a lot of freight on the water right now, a lot of freight,” said Brian Kobza, Chief Commercial Officer at IMC Logistics. “Companies are restocking. Freight for data centers and solar products is also on the water. We can see this for the next about 60 days. Bring it in now before the anticipated late-July tariffs.”
IMC Logistics is alerting clients to prepare for port congestion and capacity shortages across rail and trucking networks.
“We haven’t been tested like this in the last nine months,” he warned.
