Current outbound volumes are 42% higher than 2020 and 44% higher than 2019. Freight volumes have been trending sideways since the first week of January, bouncing between 13,600 and 14,200. This is typical for January, when freight flows lull in the early weeks of the year. While this year is following a similar pattern, it is at an extraordinarily high level. If the pattern continues, we might expect to see volumes pick up speed toward the end of February.

1. Transportation
Market Update
February 19, 2021

2. TRANSPORTATION MARKET UPDATE
Schneider’s goal is to provide the latest market insights to help you navigate the ongoing market volatility.
Whether moving a critical load, keeping your supply chain going or long-term planning, Schneider remains committed to
safely and securely delivering your freight.
Schneider leverages data and analytics from multiple sources to provide the most up-to-date insights available
including, but not limited to, FTR, DAT, FreightWaves SONAR, Cass Information Systems, Inc., FleetOwner, FMCSA,
The New York Times, NPR, ATRI, the CDC and Transport Topics. For the latest information and updates, visit
Schneider’s Trending Topics page.

3. Register here for the March 4th event, in both English and Spanish.
DON’T MISS OUR NEXT VIRTUAL EVENT: CROSS-BORDER CAPACITY
CRUNCH…SOLVE FOR THE NEW NORMAL
• Current state of international trade in the North American region, with emphasis
on the impacts of the free trade agreement between Mexico, the United States
and Canada.
• Impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on trade between Mexico and the United
States.
• Policies in Mexico and the United States that could represent incentives, or
obstacles, for foreign investment.
• Solutions for shippers to gain the cross-border capacity needed to meet
demand, including multi-modal and dedicated solutions.
Join us for a conversation with Kenneth Smith Ramos, currently partner at
AGON, a Mexican Consulting firm that specializes in international trade. Smith
Ramos previously served as Mexico’s Chief Negotiator for the modernization of
the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), that led to the signing of
the USMCA.

4. WEATHER
This week, Winter Storms Uri and
Viola have produced ice and snow in
southern states from Texas and
Louisiana, to the Tennessee Valley
and the central Appalachians. Travel
has been dangerous, and in some
areas impossible.
With 85 winters behind us, Schneider has the network
and experience to weather the storm. We will continue
to keep your freight moving as quickly and safely as
possible. If you have any questions, please work
directly with your Schneider representative.
Keep up to date with Schneider’s Weather Advisory
page
Read more about how to choose a carrier that’s
prepared for the weather

5. IN THE NEWS: CONSUMER SPENDING, ESPECIALLY CALIFORNIA, PICKS UP
Recent data from Bank of America signifies that
total card spending since the beginning of the
year is running at an average of 5.6% increase
year-over-year.
The biggest impact has been in California,
where COVID-related restrictions were eased
on January 25.
Read the article
Sources: Bank of America; freightwaves.com; Updated 2/15/2021
Chart: Bank of America

6. IN THE NEWS: SUSTAINED CONSUMER SPENDING KEEPING THE PORTS BUSY –
NETWORK MODELING BECOMES EVEN MORE IMPORTANT
According to American Shipper, extended anchorage times have forced
some ocean carriers to cancel multiple sailings this month, due to lack of
available ships to handle those services.
Delays on the landside are causing the logjam at sea. Extremely high
inbound volumes combined with logistical complications both inside and
outside the ports are causing the landside delays.
“We’re seeing a decline in the fashion market. Maybe some Valentine’s Day
goods are stuck. We’ll see Easter goods getting stuck. And we’ll see things
that are actually arriving too late to go to market. So, there will be an
economic impact, from consumer goods to manufacturing.” - Lauren Brand,
president of the National Association of Waterfront Employers
Source: freightwaves.com; Updated 2/15/2021
Network modeling, for the now – or the future – becomes even more important.
Learn more with our position paper: Supply chains in flux? What to do now?

7. COVID-19 CASES HAVE BEEN STEADILY DECREASING ACROSS THE COUNTRY
OVER THE PAST MONTH
Source: nytimes.com; Updated 2/15/2021

8. Source: nytimes.com; Updated 2/15/2021
While citizens wait to get vaccinations,
most states are enforcing a mask policy.
Learn more about each area’s policies
on this map from the New York Times.
While most states are open, local orders
may maintain certain restrictions for
those areas.
Transportation is an essential business –
we continue operations in all
geographies as permitted under stay-at-
home orders.
MOST STATES CONTINUE TO BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

9. EXPECT THE COVID-19 VACCINATION CAMPAIGN TO CONTINUE THROUGHOUT 2021
According to the New York Times, if the country
maintains its current pace of administering first
doses, about half of the total population would
be at least partially vaccinated around late June
– and nearly all by mid-November – assuming
supply pledges are met and vaccines are
eventually available to children.
Source: cdc.gov, nytimes.com; Updated 2/15/2021

10. Current outbound volumes are
42% higher than 2020 and 44%
higher than 2019.
Freight volumes have been
trending sideways since the first
week of January, bouncing
between 13,600 and 14,200.
This is typical for January, when
freight flows lull in the early weeks
of the year. While this year is
following a similar pattern, it is at
an extraordinarily high level. If the
pattern continues, we might expect to see volumes pick up speed toward the end of February.
OUTBOUND TENDER VOLUME INDEX
Outbound tender volumes represent demand for capacity in the origin area. An increase in volume represents an increase in demand. Source: FreightWaves; Updated 2/15/2021
2018-2020
2021

11. Overall tender rejects remain around 22%, a 289% increase year-over-year. Watch for network imbalances
as severe weather has impacted truckload capacity negatively.
Outbound tender rejects are an indication of available capacity in the origin market of the freight. If rejections are increasing,
capacity may be tightening in that area.
OUTBOUND TENDER REJECT INDEX
Source: FreightWaves; Updated 2/15/2021
Flatbed
Truckload
Refrigerated

12. The graph below details outbound tender rejects based on length of haul, regardless of mode. All lengths
of haul except mid-haul have stayed the same since our last report.
City/local (< 100 miles): 8%
Short-haul (100-250 miles): 16%
Mid-haul (250-450 miles): 25%
Tweener (450-800 miles): 30%
Long-haul (800+ miles): 24%
Source: FreightWaves; Updated 2/15/2021
OUTBOUND TENDER REJECT INDEX BY LENGTH OF HAUL
Outbound tender rejects are an indication
of available capacity in the origin market
of the freight. If rejections are increasing, capacity may be tightening in that area.

13. TRUCK FREIGHT RECOVERY INDEX
Seasonally adjusted freight activity
increased nearly 6% from the prior
week to a new post-pandemic high.
Volume is about 17% higher than the previous pandemic high recorded during the week ending January 8.
Read more.
Highlights:
• Dry van: jumped more than 25%
to the strongest level since setting
a post-pandemic high three weeks ago.
• Refrigerated: Temperature-controlled activity surged 32%, just about at the same high it was at the end of October
2020.
• Flatbed: Increased 10% from the prior week, setting a new post-pandemic high.
Source: Truckstop.com Spot Market Insights
Analysis by FTR | Transportation Intelligence

14. RAIL FREIGHT RECOVERY INDEX
The Intermodal index has dropped in 3 of the last 4 weeks, but the latest week’s decline was much more
significant. It sits at its lowest level (again, outside of holidays) since mid-August. Read more.
Source: Truckstop.com Spot Market Insights
Analysis by FTR | Transportation Intelligence

15. ALWAYS DELIVERING, ALWAYS AHEAD
Schneider FreightPower® delivers expanded, flexible capacity options for shippers, regardless of market
condition or location. Start harnessing the power of Schneider FreightPower® today and set your business
up for success.