We use cookies to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies in accordance with our Cookie Policy.
  • INDUSTRY PRESS ROOM
  • SUBMISSIONS
  • MEDIA FILE
  • Create Account
  • Sign In
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Free Newsletters
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
  • MAGAZINE
    • Current Issue
    • Archives
    • Digital Edition
    • Subscribe
    • Newsletters
  • STRATEGY
  • GLOBAL
  • LOGISTICS
  • MANUFACTURING
  • PROCUREMENT
  • VIDEO
    • News & Exclusives
    • Viewer Contributed
    • CSCMP EDGE 2022 Startup Alley
    • Upload your video
  • PODCAST ETC
    • Podcast
    • White Papers
    • Webcasts
    • Events
    • Blogs
      • Reflections
      • SCQ Forum
    • Mobile Apps
Home » Transportation survey shows Covid-19 impact easing

Transportation survey shows Covid-19 impact easing

Carriers, shippers, and brokers say pressures caused by pandemic are easing in the short-term, but say the long-term outlook calls for caution.

Freight transportation survey
June 5, 2020
Supply Chain Quarterly Staff
No Comments

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the freight transportation industry is showing signs of easing, according to research from Morgan Stanley, released Thursday. 

In the eighth edition of its bi-weekly survey of roughly 400 transportation carriers, shippers, and brokers, Morgan Stanley researchers revealed improvement in the current and short-term impacts from the Covid-19 pandemic, but showed that the industry lacks confidence in the longer term outlook.

The survey showed sequential improvement in the current and three-month forward impact of the pandemic, with 81% of respondents saying they expect “medium” or “high” current impact from Covid-19—compared to about 86% in the previous study—and 63% saying they expect “medium” or “high” impact three months from now.

“Overall this update builds upon the sequential improvement in our prior survey and with even greater gains than we previously saw,” the researchers said.

Looking further out, 12-month forward expectations improved modestly. About 69% of overall respondents said the Covid-19 impact would be negative in 12-months’ time, consistent with the last survey. Shippers’ expectations improved, with 61% saying they expect a net negative impact, down from 66% previously. Carriers and brokers saw negative responses increase overall, researchers said.

The study also showed that carrier operational smoothness is “getting back toward normal.” Results showed that: 

  • Only about 37% of carriers are having difficulty running smooth operations due to Covid-19, up from 47% in the last survey and 63% in mid-April. 
  • Obstacles to smooth operations include a lack of freight, closed customers, and network imbalances. 
  • Roughly 10% of carriers said they are having difficulty sourcing drivers as they call out sick or become unwilling to work due to Covid-19 risks.

Overall, the researchers said the industry remains cautious about the “path forward.”

“Our previous update saw an increase in positive comments about demand, but it seems as we move past the initial pick-up, uncertainty about the future is coming back into focus,” they said.

Morgan Stanley survey

For more coverage of the coronavirus crisis and how it's affecting the supply chain, check out our Covid-19 landing page. 

Logistics Covid-19 Coverage
  • Related Articles

    LMI improves in May

    Report: Product launches delayed due to Covid-19

    Addressing uncertainty with scenario planning

Recent Articles by Supply Chain Quarterly Staff

Freightos completes plan to go public on NASDAQ exchange, raises $80 million

Retailers lose visibility as they outsource last-mile delivery, FarEye says

WiseTech buys New Hampshire drayage and trucking visibility software firm for $230 million

You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Most Popular Articles

  • Forecasts call for freight rate slumps in 2023

  • Projected U.S. recession in early 2023 will soften freight market

  • Inflation drops again as interest rate hikes hit home, NRF says

  • How to avoid the next crisis: A new approach to supply chain agility

  • Five levers to build a resilient supply chain

Featured Video

20221107korber large vs

Enhancing Customer Experience with Your Supply Chain Strategy

Viewer Contributed
With the rise of e-commerce, many businesses have had to transform their warehouses to handle online orders in addition to regularly scheduled inventory shipments. This means warehouses need more information than ever before to ensure they can meet customers' needs. As a result, companies need to select warehouse...

FEATURED WHITE PAPERS

  • Guide to Pallet Rack Safety

  • 3PLs: Complete Orders Faster with Flexible Automation

  • A shipper's guide to navigating post-pandemic holiday freight

  • THE NEW WAY TO WAREHOUSE: 4 Innovations in Automation & Robotics to Boost Warehouse Productivity

View More

Subscribe to Supply Chain Quarterly

Get Your Subscription
  • SUBSCRIBE
  • E-NEWSLETTERS
  • ADVERTISING
  • CUSTOMER CARE
  • CONTACT
  • ABOUT
  • STAFF
  • PRIVACY POLICY

Copyright ©2023. All Rights ReservedDesign, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing