While some believe that trucking rates will decrease in 2022, others are predicting that rates will stay high and capacity remain tight. Although consumer demand for physical products should decline in the new year, the retail and manufacturing demand to replenish inventory levels will persist. In addition, lower-value cargo is currently sitting while high-value goods are being moved, and that cargo will need to be moved in the new year, propping up demand. And despite increased demand, trucking companies are not interested in adding capacity that would diminish their pricing power and lower profits.
Source:
1. Tight capacity cementing elevated US truck, LTL rates into 2022, Journal of Commerce, Nov 8, 2021. Accessed Nov 15, 2021.