How Shippers Can Prepare for the Summer Freight Season
As the snow melts, plants sprout, and potholes are filled in, the summer freight season is on its way. For shippers in the freight logistics industry, which means it's time to start gearing up for the busy season. Known as the "summer freight season," this period typically runs from June to August and sees a significant increase in demand for shipping services. With more people on the move, such as vacationers and college students returning home, shippers need to prepare for the influx of freight that can result from increased travel. In this blog, we'll dive into what the summer freight season is all about, why shippers need to organize, and some tips on how to get ready for the busy months ahead.
When and what is the summer freight season?
A transportation year breaks down into four quarters (or seasons):
Q1: The Quiet Season
Q2: The Produce Shipping Season
Q3: The Peak Shipping Season
Q4: The Holiday Shipping Season[SO1] [JV2]
Understanding these seasonal freight trends helps shippers determine when to ramp up operations and when to scale things back. Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summertime shipping – but as expected, shippers must prepare well in advance. Produce season, also known as the summer freight season, generally begins in February and runs through July (Q2). As the name suggests, this spike in freight volume and demand for shipping services is primarily due to the influx of fresh produce during spring and early summer. However, several other factors influence supply and demand during the produce season.
In the Texas and southeast regions, the surge in demand from produce can drastically impact outbound spot rates. You don't have to ship produce (or any food & beverage freight) to be affected by produce season. As drivers flood into produce-shipping regions to take advantage of short-term rate spikes, it can have a ripple effect on capacity across the market.
How to prepare for the summer freight season
Understanding seasonal freight trends helps shippers determine when to ramp up operations and when to scale things back. Companies can minimize supply chain disruptions, stabilize cash flow, and protect business continuity by preparing for these unavoidable seasonal freight trends well before Memorial Day, if possible.
Optimize routing guides
When we define route optimization, we’re talking about finding the quickest and most cost-effective path for carriers. This can be done by leveraging data analytics tools to analyze shipping patterns and identify inefficiencies. Shippers should update their routing guides to reflect changes in shipping patterns, carrier availability, and cost structures.
Optimization also includes:
Identifying new carriers.
Renegotiating rates with existing carriers.
Updating service requirements and expectations.
Clear communication is also crucial for these efforts to be successful. Freight shippers should set clear expectations for carriers regarding service requirements, transit times, and other factors that impact delivery. Afterward, they can monitor carrier performance and adjust routing guides accordingly by evaluating tracking transit times, on-time delivery rates, and other key performance indicators to identify areas for improvement. Utilizing transportation management systems (TMS) can also help shippers to optimize routing guides and streamline transportation operations to manage logistics operations throughout the season.
Sparrow pro tip: Study harvest schedules, even if you don’t interact with produce. By regularly checking produce industry websites during the season, you can better determine which regions are heating up and when. Investing time in seasonality research can help your team plan for fluctuations throughout the year more effectively.
Partner with a 3PL
3PLs can provide numerous benefits for freight shipping companies during the summer season. By leveraging the 3PL's expertise, capacity, and technology solutions, freight shippers can optimize transportation operations, reduce costs, and mitigate risks, leading to improved profitability and customer satisfaction.
Head into the summer freight season with Sparrow Logistics
When looking for a partner to ship your freight nationwide, look to Sparrow Logistics, regardless of the season or whether it’s slow or busy in the freight shipping industry. With our team, you get exceptional 24/7 dedicated service and partner with experts in the transportation industry and connections in every region of the 48 domestic states and across the border to Canada. Sparrow can assist you in accomplishing your business goals while staying on budget and on time.
Sparrow Logistics specializes in the following services:
Expedited delivery
Dry Van and Temperature controlled
Power only
LTL/PTL
Loading and unloading
Hazmat
Vehicle hauling solutions
Want to learn more about how Sparrow Logistics can elevate your freight efficiency?
We aim to provide the best possible experience for employees, clients & carriers, which means investing in honesty and direct communication. Contact our team today to hit the road ready.