Shippers Conditions Index Inches Into Positive in March Amid Mixed Freight Signals

Source: FTR

Denton, May 28, 2025 — The freight environment remained largely neutral in March, as FTR’s Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) nudged upward from -0.3 in February to +0.1. The shift into slightly positive territory reflects a fragile equilibrium in the freight market, where positives and pressures nearly cancel each other out.

Falling diesel prices and slightly looser equipment utilization offered cost relief and flexibility for shippers. Yet these were counterbalanced by stronger freight volumes and less favorable rates in key lanes, keeping the market environment stable—but uncertain.

“Tariff uncertainty poses a real risk to the economy,” noted Avery Vise, FTR’s VP of trucking. “Shippers may benefit from short-term market softness, but we’re watching for a potential tightening of trucking capacity in 2026. Another wildcard is whether tougher enforcement of English-language requirements for drivers could reduce available labor.”

The SCI combines four critical elements—freight demand, freight rates, fleet capacity, and fuel costs—into a single index that indicates how favorable market conditions are for shippers. FTR’s May 7 update explores whether trade measures might absorb excess capacity or trigger deeper disruption.