Peak Transportation Seasons And Why Are They Important?
Learn about the essential peak seasons!
It’s critical to understand what each of the four transportation seasons includes since the transportation process never stops. See what to anticipate for the whole year by reading this!
Freight transportation changes every year. There is a certain pattern, nevertheless, whether the year is good or bad. We predict and make plans for the whole year in accordance with this trend. Trucking and transportation continued to follow the shipment schedule despite the COVID-19 outbreak. Because there are four different times of year to ship freight, it is put into different categories each year.
What are the seasons for transportation?
The transportation business is strongly reliant on supply and demand, which is not news. These two elements affect capacity and rates, or market conditions, in short. Companies are now functioning in a competitive market for a variety of industry-specific reasons.
Despite this, shippers are still likely to see seasonal fluctuations in supply and demand. After one year of working in the transportation sector, you recognize and comprehend each season. Freight volume fluctuates throughout the year; thus, if a given rate for a dry van works in February, it would likely not work in May. Additionally, the strength of seasonal swings depends on how the overall market position and the area are seen.
Distinguishing the four distinct transportation seasons
The Quiet Season (January–March)
The amount of cargo transported is low between January and March. We’ve now officially entered the new year, and the Christmas season has officially ended. Temperatures are low, and the snow has covered the roads, making shipment difficult. During the slow season, the amount of freight progressively increases; this often happens in March as we approach spring. Despite the fact that it’s a dull time of year, you must move quickly to start planning for the busy months. Planning enables you to be ready for anything that comes your way.
The Produce Transport Period (April–July)
As soon as spring arrives, grocery stores are stocked with fresh fruits and vegetables once again. After a few slow months, freight traffic is on the upswing. Carriers may be more selective in the cargoes they accept since there are more options. It is necessary to transport the country’s primary crop, which varies by state. As a result, the market contracts, truck availability decreases, and prices increase as shippers pay more to accommodate the increased difficulty in loading their cargo into a truck. Shippers who aren’t transporting fruits and vegetables see a dramatic shift in capacity and pricing in specific areas as carriers shift focus to higher paying produce cargoes, such as peaches in Florida. It is important to look into your areas of interest right now to find out how production might affect them.
The Busiest Shipping Season (August- October)
Another hectic season for the transportation sector The tumultuous harvest season is winding down, but the celebrations will continue nonetheless. Back-to-school preparations and Christmas preparations should both be prioritized at this time. Companies regularly transport items across all of their locations to ensure they are prepared for the holidays and the subsequent increase in sales. There has been no letup in the rate increases, and the amount of freight has reached a record high.
The Holiday Shipping Season (November–December)
Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s are all just around the corner. Before the holidays, shippers must work feverishly to finish off any outstanding orders and receive or dispatch any incoming cargo. Additionally, the year is coming to a close, and nobody wants to have to lug any leftover cargo into the new one. It’s holiday time, so naturally that means time off work and time with loved ones. Still, the days leading up to long weekends are often the busiest of the year, as shippers rush to get out any last-minute orders that may have been forgotten or delayed.
Here we see the four seasons of the freight transportation business, or a typical year in the transportation sector. Understanding this trend is crucial for transportation experts because it allows them to anticipate and prepare for market shifts. Whether you’re just starting out or have been in the transportation sector for a decade, staying on top of the latest developments is essential.
Why is the peak season significant?
During the peak shipping season, even the most well-oiled supply chains may have trouble securing enough transportation or dealing with skyrocketing freight charges. Retailers, both online and offline, and their shipping partners have a constant challenge keeping up with the volume of orders they receive.
For the retail and logistics sectors, this spike means constrained capacity, expensive freight prices, and headaches. However, since this is a yearly event, transportation providers and businesses may plan ahead for it. No matter what the trends are, you will always be able to get through the tough season if you plan ahead and review.
Vineyard Brokerage is here for all your transportation needs.
Vineyard Brokerage has you covered for shipping no matter the season.As the seasons change, we’re here to make sure you make the most of each passing month. If you want your operations to run smoothly and efficiently all year, contact Vineyard Brokerage right away for an estimate.Call us at (317) 939-3769, and we will handle it from there.
