Despite a forecast for still-tepid U.S. economic growth, freight volumes are expected to keep increasing this year with trucking capacity expected to continue tightening – a recipe that should result in freight rate hikes for the industry by as much as 5% to 8% before 2014 is over.

That’s but one of the predictions emanating from the 25^th annual State of Logistics, unveiled at the National Press Club in Washington D.C. yesterday. Authored by Rosalyn Wilson, senior business analyst for Parsons, under the auspices of the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP) and sponsored by Penske Logistics, the report’s main theme focused on the often contradictory paths indicated by past and current economic and freight patterns.

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