It’s no secret: the freight market has been tough. Freight brokerages are closing at an alarming pace, and the challenges show no signs of letting up, especially for smaller, independent operations.

In March 2025 alone, 132 brokerages exited the market, bringing the number of active freight brokerages down to just 25,087, according to Brush Pass Research. That’s an 8.6% year-over-year decrease, and over the past two years, the total number of freight brokerages has declined by a staggering 18.3% [Source: Brush Pass Research]

Let that sink in: nearly 1 in 5 brokerages have disappeared in just 24 months.

The freight market hasn’t just slowed down, it’s exposed weak spots in the brokerage model that many solo operators can no longer afford to ignore.

Why So Many Freight Brokerages Are Closing in 2025

There are two main forces driving this contraction:

1. Tight cash flow – waiting on customer payments while needing to pay carriers upfront is putting brokers underwater.
   
2. Increasing operational demands – compliance, insurance, tech, and service expectations have all risen while margins continue to shrink.

In short: hustle alone isn’t enough anymore. You need infrastructure, consistency, and back-office support to survive.

While there was a glimmer of optimism earlier this year, January 2025 showed a smaller net loss of just 63 brokerages, signaling a potential slowdown in the decline, the two-year trend is still steep. According to data from Carrier Details LLC, the market has shrunk by 9.9% year-over-year and 18.3% over two years [Source: Brush Pass Research].

Even with stabilization on the horizon, the reality is clear: running a freight brokerage in 2025 is harder than it’s ever been.

The Truth Most Small Brokers Are Quietly Facing

Many startup and solo brokers have built solid relationships. They’ve earned loyal customers. They know how to move freight.

But what they don’t have is the backend support to keep that momentum going when:

• A customer delays payment
• A carrier needs to be paid immediately
• Cash flow tightens unexpectedly
• Operations grow too big to manage alone
  

That’s when even the most capable broker starts feeling stuck, and when joining a model like Somerset Logistics becomes the smart move.

Why Somerset Agents Are Thriving

While others paused operations or shut down completely, Somerset Logistics leaned in. We’re not just surviving this market, we’re built for it.

Here’s what sets us apart:

• Cash flow support: You don’t need to float payments. We handle it.
  
• Carrier payments: We pay carriers on time, every time.
  
• Customer collections: We manage follow-up and payments, so you don’t have to.
  
• Solid infrastructure: We’re not a pop-up brokerage, we’re structured for the long haul.
  
• Freedom with support: You keep your customers and relationships. We give you the tools to grow.
  

Being a Somerset Logistics Agent means you can keep your independence without the stress of running a business solo in a volatile freight market.

Bring Your Agency to Somerset

If you’ve built a book of business or started a small brokerage on your own you don’t have to shut it down, you just might need a better system behind you. A partner that allows you to keep your customers and keep moving freight without fighting to survive every month.

That’s what we offer at Somerset Logistics. Call us today to learn more about becoming an agent.
www.somersetlogistics.com/agents