The National Drayage Spot Market Index has increased by 6% year over year | BookYourOwn.com

March unfolds in a freight market increasingly defined by structural realignment rather than seasonal volatility. Carrier alliances are reshaping global service strings, regulatory decisions are influencing trade compliance strategy, and technology investments are targeting persistent inland friction points. For drayage, the signal is clear: stability remains intact, but the inputs driving network performance are evolving. Drayage rates are stable at 6% year-over-year.

Ocean carrier restructuring continues to ripple through the market. The expanding cooperation between Hapag-Lloyd and ZIM reflects a strategic push toward network efficiency and niche specialization. While these developments are ocean-driven, their downstream impact can influence US discharge patterns, terminal density, and cargo timing. When services are adjusted or loops consolidated, arrival clustering at major gateways can temporarily compress truck capacity and appointment availability.

Service reliability remains a watchpoint. Recent data shows global on-time vessel arrivals declined sharply in January, reinforcing the importance of flexible inland planning. Variability at the port level can create short bursts of container surges, particularly at high-volume gateways like the Port of Los Angeles and Port of Long Beach. Southern California import volumes, however, have largely returned to trend after extended turbulence in 2025, suggesting normalization is underway even as operational discipline remains essential. Meanwhile, chassis providers are increasingly deploying real-time location tracking, transforming equipment visibility into a competitive differentiator. Greater transparency around chassis positioning has the potential to reduce split moves, shorten driver search time, and improve turn performance.

On the regulatory front, a ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court related to IEEPA tariff authority has prompted a wave of customs correction filings as importers seek clarity and potential refunds. While this is primarily a trade compliance matter, any sustained change in tariff enforcement could influence import volumes and routing decisions over time. Additionally, continued oversight by the Federal Maritime Commission regarding chassis choice and carrier practices may shape equipment flexibility at terminals in the months ahead.

Taken together, March reflects a market supported by normalization but influenced by strategic repositioning at the ocean and policy levels. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, diesel now averages $3.72 per gallon, up from $3.59 in March 2025.