The ITS Logistics October Port Rail Ramp Index confirms a continued downward trend in import volumes, with September projected at 2.12 million TEUs, down 6.8% year-over-year. This decline is driving tighter enforcement of accessorial fees as ports seek to capture revenue during peak season. Outside the ports, a regulatory crackdown on non-domiciled Commercial Driver's Licenses (CDLs) is removing lower-cost capacity from the market, increasing the risk of carrier insolvency.
On September 26, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued an emergency interim ruling restricting eligibility for non-domiciled CDLs, following a nationwide audit. Several states have since implemented enforcement efforts to verify CDL compliance and English language proficiency at weigh stations and ports of entry. Industry experts warn that non-domiciled CDL holders account for a significant portion of lower-cost capacity, and this crackdown could lead to a surge in bankruptcies among small and mid-size carriers, particularly in the drayage market, which has already seen multiple major providers close their doors in 2025.
“In the near term, these new regulations will remove capacity from the ecosystem and cause market disruption,” said Paul Brashier, Vice President of Global Supply Chain for ITS Logistics. “In the long term, it could drive many carriers out of business as they struggle to withstand both evolving regulatory pressures and the ongoing freight recession that has pushed rates down to or below operating levels. Vetting service provider health will become even more important as shippers begin late 2025 and early 2026 RFP activity.”
The National Retail Federation anticipates that monthly import volumes will continue to drop for the remainder of the year, citing tariffs and frontloading activity in the first half of 2025. In response to low container demand and declining per-container revenue, ocean carriers are strictly enforcing their accessorial schedules to maintain profitability. ITS Logistics recommends that shippers review their supply chains for inefficiencies that could be exposed and penalized under this renewed focus.
“Shippers should take this opportunity to confirm that accessorial dispute processes and documentation requirements are clearly defined in their SOPs,” Brashier advised. “If your supply chain utilizes rail for ocean container movement, it’s also important to ensure you understand items like chassis pool flip policies and which parties to engage with to resolve issues within free time.”
For a full comprehensive copy of the index with expected forecasts for US port and rail ramps, visit ITS Logistics Port Rail Ramp Index.
