The Tariff Effect: Freight In Motion

Faculty Mentor

Professor Jerry Burke

Location

Russell Union 2041

Type of Research

Completed

Session Format

Oral Presentation

College

Parker College of Business

Department

Department of Logistics and SCM

Abstract

This research forecasts the impacts that everchanging tariff policies will have on our logistics and freight industry with a focus on import container throughput of U.S. seaports and follow-on effects on fleet management of major drayage company in the southeast U.S. during 2026. The study will analyze historical loaded import TEUs across nine major U.S. port gateways to project loaded import container volumes for each month of 2026. Given our industry partner, TCW, Inc. has substantial investments in terminals reliant on inland container transportation from Savanah, GA, Charleston, SC. and Memphis, TN, we focus on marine ports in Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC as well as the busy intermodal rail market of Memphis, TN which sees some throughput from all nine major marine gateways via long-haul rail intermodal moves. Forecasts for monthly loaded import TEUs through each seaport set a baseline for estimating overall container traffic served by TCW. To inform TCWs fleet management decisions for 2026, overall estimated import container traffic scaled by TCW’s historical market share in each market to determine the number of expected loads for TCW to haul as well as the resulting 2026 revenues. Load and revenue estimates serve as the basis for recommending changes to TCW’s fleet and driver staffing for plan for 2026 as compared to existing levels from 2025. Additionally, recommendations are suggested for future expansion opportunities. Driver retention and recruitment recommendations are also provided to assist TCW with current challenges in the motor carrier industry.

Program Description

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Start Date

4-23-2026 10:15 AM

End Date

4-23-2026 10:30 AM

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Apr 23rd, 10:15 AM Apr 23rd, 10:30 AM

The Tariff Effect: Freight In Motion

Russell Union 2041

This research forecasts the impacts that everchanging tariff policies will have on our logistics and freight industry with a focus on import container throughput of U.S. seaports and follow-on effects on fleet management of major drayage company in the southeast U.S. during 2026. The study will analyze historical loaded import TEUs across nine major U.S. port gateways to project loaded import container volumes for each month of 2026. Given our industry partner, TCW, Inc. has substantial investments in terminals reliant on inland container transportation from Savanah, GA, Charleston, SC. and Memphis, TN, we focus on marine ports in Savannah, GA and Charleston, SC as well as the busy intermodal rail market of Memphis, TN which sees some throughput from all nine major marine gateways via long-haul rail intermodal moves. Forecasts for monthly loaded import TEUs through each seaport set a baseline for estimating overall container traffic served by TCW. To inform TCWs fleet management decisions for 2026, overall estimated import container traffic scaled by TCW’s historical market share in each market to determine the number of expected loads for TCW to haul as well as the resulting 2026 revenues. Load and revenue estimates serve as the basis for recommending changes to TCW’s fleet and driver staffing for plan for 2026 as compared to existing levels from 2025. Additionally, recommendations are suggested for future expansion opportunities. Driver retention and recruitment recommendations are also provided to assist TCW with current challenges in the motor carrier industry.