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.
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.
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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