The freight market has changed considerably since the beginning of the year, but not in one simple direction. Overall shipment volume remains soft. At the same time, truckload capacity has contracted enough to push rates higher and give carriers more leverage on certain lanes. In less-than-truckload shipping, carriers continue to protect pricing even though freight volumes vary considerably across networks.

If you've ever shipped a partial truckload and wondered why you paid full freight rates for half-empty space, you're not alone. This is exactly the problem that consolidated shipping was built to solve. Understanding what consolidated shipping is can save your business real money, especially if you regularly move smaller loads that don't fill an entire trailer.

The transportation industry keeps goods moving across the United States every day. From small owner-operators to large fleets, trucking companies play a critical role in maintaining supply chains and ensuring timely deliveries. However, one common challenge affects carriers of all sizes: delayed payments from shippers and brokers.