Every new gigawatt of data center capacity requires a massive physical build-out: steel, concrete, cooling systems, backup power, transformers, heavy equipment, server racks and supporting infrastructure. By one estimate, each gigawatt of new U.S. data center capacity could require roughly 100,000 truckloads, according to one estimate. In this episode of The Decisive, host Kristen Hallam speaks with Bill Cassidy, Senior Editor, Trucking and Domestic Transportation at the Journal of Commerce by S&P Global, and Paul Bingham, Director, Transportation Consulting, S&P Global Market Intelligence, about why data center construction is a freight capacity story. The conversation explores how surging demand from data center projects is arriving as the U.S. trucking market emerges from a post-pandemic freight recession, with capacity tightening, operating costs rising and regulatory enforcement removing some drivers and equipment from the market. As data center freight competes with retail, manufacturing, housing, energy and infrastructure shipments, shippers may face higher transportation costs, tighter capacity and more complex procurement decisions. Bill and Paul also discuss how demand is spreading across transportation modes — from flatbed and heavy-haul trucking to dry van, less-than-truckload, intermodal rail, ocean shipping and air cargo — and why shippers may consider adopting a more integrated, end-to-end view of logistics planning for major construction projects. The episode also previews themes that will be explored at the Journal of Commerce's Inland 26 Conference in Chicago, including freight demand, rates, capacity, network resilience and the broader economic outlook for transportation. More S&P Global Market Intelligence Content: Data centers pulling on already shrinking pool of US truck capacity Breakbulk industry warily wades into AI Click here to register for the Inland26 conference For S&P Global subscribers (login required): Chokepoints vs. shortcuts: Supply chain outlook for critical maritime routes Red Sea maritime and aviation risks Credits: Host: Kristen Hallam Guests: Bill Cassidy, Paul Bingham Produced By: Kristen Hallam Edited By: Marz Marcello Published With Assistance From: Sophie Carr, Feranmi Adeoshun

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