Industry Insights December 2025
December Freight Market Update: Planning Ahead for 2026
As 2025 comes to a close, global logistics and supply chain conditions are resetting unevenly. Capacity shifts, rate movement, and regulatory pressure across major freight modes are shaping early 2026 planning.
- Truckload Shipping:
Holiday demand tightened truckload capacity more than expected, prompting revised freight rate and capacity forecasts heading into the new year. - LTL Shipping:
LTL capacity remains available, though carriers continue to hold firm on pricing. Shippers may find opportunities with carriers expanding into new or underutilized lanes. - Ocean Freight:
Ocean freight rates into North America are among the lowest of the year, while exporters continue to face fewer sailings. A major carrier has begun restoring service through the Suez Canal, though high dwell times at European ports remain a challenge. - Air Freight:
Air freight capacity remains constrained, with reduced booking flexibility from Asia, strong competition for freighters out of Europe, and ongoing bottlenecks in India. Early planning is critical ahead of Lunar New Year. - Intermodal, Ports & Cross-Border:
Peak season is winding down earlier than normal, supporting a more predictable intermodal outlook for 2026. Dredging at the Port of Houston, winter rail disruptions in Canada, and inspection activity near Toronto continue to impact capacity. Tariff pressure has eased slightly following reduced U.S. tariffs on select global trade lanes. - The PGL Advantage:
With nearly 20 years of experience in global logistics and freight forwarding, PGL helps customers forecast change, secure capacity, and keep freight moving through cross-modal strategies and trusted carrier relationships.
As always, PGL is here for you, 24/7/365.
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