Thought the below article on ocean my be interesting for all at SKOOL. These tactics do create challenges, the first challenge is Steam Ship Lines (SSL) will increase rates, have seen containers go up by $3000 USD per container. The second challenge is capacity spike on inland modes. When shippers Front load pull peak forward this generally drives rates up on all modes. With capacity tightening, rates are already high result could be more orders left on dock. The positive, carriers and warehouse providers will see an uptick in volumes earlier than normal. Ocean shippers frontload cargo ahead of tariffs, fuel concerns Tariff concerns and higher costs are prompting altering shipping timelines, signaling an early peak, per C.H. Robinson Worldwide President of Global Forwarding Mike Short. Published June 12, 2026 Dive Brief: - Ocean shippers are frontloading cargo to mitigate rising shipping costs and anticipated tariffs, according to the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associate’s Global Port Tracker. - June import volumes are expected to increase by 14.3% year over year, indicating an earlier peak season. Higher costs from tariffs and fuel prices expected in August are leading retailers to bring in merchandise early, NRF VP of Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said in the release. - “The current import surge will likely last into July, with an early peak season that resembles the more recent pattern of raised volume rather than a sharp peak,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. Import volumes are then expected to weaken due to consumer uncertainty and increasing inflation, he said in the release. Dive Insight: Growing market uncertainty is spurring shipper concern, which is influencing ocean shipping patterns. Fuel costs are on the rise as the Iran war disrupts global oil transport through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s tariff-heavy trade policy is prompting supply chain uncertainty

The cost of doing business in freight as a small freight broker or small carrier just went up thanks to the Montgomery vs CH Robinson ruling by SCOTUS today. Here come insurers needing more money on their policies because risk and liability on the broker side just went up. The broker then in turn will require more coverage from the carriers they use. Anybody realize that the standard 1M GL is probably going to be a thing of the past? #papafreight

I would bet the clothes off my back that the top 5 3PLs will report higher than expected revenue at EoY. If you’re a 3PL with clauses in your shipper agreement that adjusts for war or act of God you should be ahead, assuming you run freight based on a margin percentage.

Hello community I’m coming to you all asking how do I build a book of business when most if not all brokerages want a active book of business

Is everyone having as much fun discussing fuel increases as I am? This is something beyond the control of any asset carrier or broker. Yet shipper still believe somehow our industry is benefitting. The USA uses DOE, this process and formula work very well, diesel is $3.69 per gallon we get X per mile, moves to $6.00 per gallon we get X per mile. Canada uses FCA, this is done with a formula and creates a %. Prior to the war in Iran, % was 48%, now it is 91%. This is harder to explain to customers. DOE or FCA was established to offset fuel increases due to wars, act of God, geopolitical challenges. Have had many brokers reaching out, they did all in rates. This is not a practice I agree with, should always be linehaul plus fuel. Pass through fuel as it is the carriers cost not a brokers. Then when fuel moves it is passed through. The biggest benefit, your revenue or margin is not affected. Truly hope we can see resolution sooner than later. Germany we paid $10 per gallon USD to drayage partners this week. EFS from SSLs are $350-$500 per container and expected to climb if they will even continue servicing the region.