August 2025 — Transportation & Logistics Market Highlights

Ocean Freight Softens Across the Board
- Spot container rates from Asia to the U.S. West and East Coasts have plunged—by approximately 58% and 46%, respectively—as overcapacity continues to outpace demand. Shipping providers are adjusting routes to circumvent hotspots and tariff-sensitive regions, helping retain healthy capacity utilization (86–87%) Reuters.
- The usual summer shipping spike failed to materialize. Rates dipped ~3.3%, and the absence of a traditional peak season indicates extended softness into late 2025 J.M. Rodgers Co..
Air Freight: Sluggish Growth Amid Balanced Capacity
- Global air cargo demand rose a modest +3% in the first half of 2025. Capacity remains aligned with demand, though rate growth has slowed (flat to slightly negative trends), signaling muted momentum as tariff-related uncertainties linger UPS Developer.
- Asia-Pacific continues leading demand growth at +8.3%, followed by Latin America and North America UPS Developer.

FTAI Infrastructure Eyes $1.05B Acquisition
- FTAI Infrastructure plans to acquire The Wheeling Corporation (owner of Wheeling & Lake Erie Railway) to expand its freight rail footprint, backed by $2.25B in capital commitments. The deal is slated to close in Q3 2025 Reuters.
Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern Merger Chaos
- The proposed $250B merger of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to form the first coast-to-coast railroad in North America faces fierce opposition from shippers citing reduced competition and service concerns. Regulatory review by the Surface Transportation Board could span up to two years Financial Times AP News.
Hazmat Emergency from Texas Train Derailment
- A hazardous-materials train derailed near Gordon, Texas, on August 13, triggering grass fires and emergency hazmat response. Fortunately, no leaks, injuries, or evacuations were reported. Cleanup and track recovery operations are underway MySA.

GoodShip Raises $25M to Supercharge AI Logistics
- Seattle-based GoodShip secured $25M in Series B funding to scale its AI-driven freight management platform that optimizes networks, flags inefficiencies, and supports better procurement decisions. The company’s revenue grew tenfold last year with notable clients like Tropicana onboard Business Insider.
Digital, Cybersecurity Push in Trucking
- The National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA) launched a “Roadmap to Resilience”—cybersecurity and digital best practices tailored to trucking assets, maintenance, and back-office systems. Along with annual cybersecurity conferences, the initiative aims to fortify the industry’s digital defenses Wikipedia.

BMO Mulls Sale of Transportation Finance Unit
- Bank of Montreal is evaluating a potential sale of its transport finance division, valued around $1B. The unit provides loans and leases for trucks/trailers and inventory financing across North America. No decision has been made yet Reuters.

Amtrak’s Mardi Gras Service Debuts August 18
- Amtrak will launch twice-daily service between New Orleans and Mobile, Alabama, starting August 18. The route revives the long-dormant Gulf Coast corridor with stops in Mississippi and sold-out inaugural tickets Wikipedia.

Market Perspective — Insights for Your Business

Ocean & Air Freight Pressured by Overcapacity & Trade TurbulenceExpect continued rate softness across shipping and air corridors. Tight inventory control, early bookings, and flexible routing now matter more than ever.
Rail Consolidation Could Reshape the IndustryBig mergers (like UP-NS) and strategic acquisitions (FTAI) signal shifting competition and service paradigms. If approved, consolidation could alter pricing, reliability, and routing options.
Innovation Is a Competitive AdvantageStartups like GoodShip and NMFTA’s digital efforts underscore a pivot toward automation, AI, and cybersecurity. Companies lagging in tech risk falling behind.
Public Transit & Passenger Rail Gain AttentionThe launch of Amtrak’s Gulf Coast passenger rail reflects a broader revival of rail investment—not just for freight, but also for regional connectivity and mobility.