U.S. Freight Index Flags Inland Bottlenecks and Record Fraud Ahead of Peak Season

Reno, United States — September 12, 2025

Truck yards are filling up, rail ramps are stretched, and a new red flag is flashing: cargo theft. The ITS Logistics September Index released Thursday paints a stark picture of the U.S. freight market just weeks before the holiday rush.

“Inland congestion is back, and fraud is at levels we haven’t seen before,” said an ITS executive. “Shippers need to tighten security and brace for higher costs.”

Inland pressure

The index shows rail ramps near Chicago and Dallas under strain, with long dwell times spreading into regional trucking networks. Freight managers describe trailers parked for days, waiting for rail slots that never come. Costs are climbing as drivers burn hours in queues.

Fraud on the rise

More troubling is the spike in cargo theft and double-brokering scams. Industry groups say organized crime is targeting high-value shipments, often using fake carrier identities. Losses in August alone were estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars.

Why it matters

For retailers preparing for peak season, delays and theft add a double hit: inventory arriving late and financial exposure rising fast. Insurance providers are already tightening terms, while shippers scramble to vet carriers more aggressively.

The road ahead

ITS warns the situation could worsen through November if volumes surge. Suggested countermeasures include real-time tracking, stricter contract audits, and closer collaboration between carriers and law enforcement. Whether that will be enough to steady the market remains an open question.

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