Why does RoadOne's acquisition of Higgins Transport matter for Charleston port operations?

Higgins Transport Service was a local drayage provider serving Port of Charleston. By acquiring them, RoadOne gains direct control over container pickup, delivery, and handling at one of the US's top five container ports. This vertical integration reduces dependency on third-party carriers and improves RoadOne's ability to manage end-to-end container movements, which is critical given Charleston's growing volume and importance to East Coast supply chains.

Is this part of a broader consolidation trend in trucking and drayage?

Yes. The trucking and drayage industry has seen significant M&A activity over the past 3-5 years as larger logistics providers acquire regional carriers to build nationwide or regional networks. This consolidation reflects pressure to achieve scale, reduce costs, and offer integrated services. RoadOne's acquisition of Higgins is consistent with this industry pattern of consolidation among mid-market carriers.

How might this affect pricing and service availability for shippers in the Charleston region?

In the near term, pricing may stabilize or increase as competitive options consolidate. However, shippers may benefit from improved service reliability, faster container turns, and better digital visibility if RoadOne integrates Higgins' operations into its platform. Shippers should expect RoadOne to leverage economies of scale, but they should also monitor competitive alternatives to avoid supply concentration risk.

What is RoadOne's strategic rationale for this acquisition?

RoadOne is expanding regional capacity and market share in a high-growth trade lane. Charleston is a gateway for Asian imports and a major hub for e-commerce distribution. By owning drayage operations locally, RoadOne improves margins, reduces external carrier dependency, and gains competitive advantage in offering integrated container and LTL services to regional shipper bases.

Should shippers diversify their carrier relationships in light of this consolidation?

Yes, strategic diversification remains prudent. While consolidation can improve service quality and visibility, it also concentrates supply chain risk. Shippers should maintain relationships with 2-3 qualified carriers in key regions like Charleston to maintain competitive leverage and reduce dependency on any single provider. This is especially important given ongoing market tightening in trucking capacity.

Procurement

Moderate

RoadOne Acquires Higgins Transport in Charleston Consolidation

Aug 19, 2026

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RoadOne has completed an acquisition of Higgins Transport Service, a regional carrier based in Charleston, marking a strategic move to consolidate drayage and last-mile container handling capacity in one of North America's busiest port hubs. This acquisition reflects ongoing industry consolidation trends as larger logistics providers seek to build comprehensive networks and capture growing e-commerce and containerized cargo volumes. The deal strengthens RoadOne's footprint in the Southeast, a region experiencing sustained growth in container traffic and import volumes.

By integrating Higgins' local expertise, equipment, and customer relationships, RoadOne gains enhanced visibility and control over first-mile and last-mile operations at Port of Charleston—a critical touchpoint in the US container supply chain. This type of vertical integration through acquisition enables carriers to reduce operational friction, improve service reliability, and capture higher-margin intermodal opportunities. For supply chain professionals, this consolidation signals continued tightening in the regional trucking market.

Shippers and freight forwarders should monitor how RoadOne's expanded Charleston operations affect service availability, pricing, and transit performance. Competitors may face pricing pressure or capacity constraints as a result of this market consolidation.

#roadone-acquisition

#trucking-consolidation

#charleston-logistics

#m-and-a

#intermodal-transport

#last-mile-delivery

#supply-chain-mergers

#container-handling

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Simulation Suggestion

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What if Charleston drayage rates increase 8-12% post-integration?

Model the impact of a 10% increase in drayage costs per container move at Port of Charleston over the next 6 months, reflecting potential post-acquisition pricing normalization. Assume this affects all container imports/exports moving through the port and recalculate landed cost, freight budget variance, and supply chain network optimization.

Run this scenario

Simulation Suggestion

strategic

What if RoadOne's integration improves container turn times by 12 hours?

Simulate the operational and financial benefit of reducing average container dwell time at Port of Charleston by 12 hours due to improved RoadOne coordination and visibility post-integration. Recalculate inventory carrying costs, terminal fees, and overall supply chain velocity for East Coast import flows.

Run this scenario

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