Economic outlook great for tank fleets

May 9, 2006
The US economy keeps chugging along, and tank truck carriers are among the beneficiaries, according to Martin Labbe, president of Martin Labbe Associates.

The US economy keeps chugging along, and tank truck carriers are among the beneficiaries, according to Martin Labbe, president of Martin Labbe Associates.

He delivered his latest economic forecast for the industry May 8 during the National Tank Truck Carriers 58th annual conference in San Antonio TX.

He projected that the economy will grow by around three percent through the rest of 2006, and the expansion should continue into 2007.

Tank truck freight has fared better than overall truckload freight, and that trend should continue. High fuel demand will flatten, but distribution challenges will require more equipment. Construction demand will stay strong. Plastics and industrial dry bulk chemical shipments should increase by around five percent. Foodgrade shipments should continue to grow by about two percent.