Spot market freight volumes reported by the DAT North American Freight Index rose another 0.4% in August, edging above July levels. Freight volume typically peaks on the spot market in June, but this year has extended through the entire summer.
Month-over-month load availability increased for vans and refrigerated trailers, while flatbed load volume experienced a typical seasonal decline. Freight volume rose 3.1% for vans and 3.8% for reefers, but declined 5.1% for flatbeds.
Compared to August 2012, freight availability rose 13% overall. Van freight volume rose 10%, reefer loads increased 22% and flatbed freight added 14%.
Spot market rates remained stable for vans in August compared to July. In a typical seasonal pattern, rates declined 3% for reefers and 1.8% for flatbeds.
DAT North American Freight Index Maintains Late-Season Strength
Spot market freight volumes reported by the DAT North American Freight Index rose another 0.4% in August, edging above July levels. Freight volume typically peaks on the spot market in June, but this year has extended through the entire summer.
On a year-over-year basis, van rates rose 2.3% and reefer rates gained 1.9%, while flatbed rates declined 4.6% compared to the unusually high rates of August 2012.
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