Reaching the highest-ever volume for the month of December, the DAT North American Freight Index increased 5% in December compared to December 2011.
However, compared to unusually robust November levels, spot market freight volume declined 18.4% month-over-month. This trend follows a typical seasonal pattern between November and December; volume dropped in eight of the past ten years, for a ten-year average decline of 13%. The DAT North American Freight Index is a measure of spot market freight availability in the U.S. and Canada.
The seasonal trend in freight volume in the U.S. affected all three of the major equipment categories, month-over-month. Compared to December 2011, however, U.S. van freight volume increased 13.1% last month, while refrigerated freight levels were stable and flatbed freight availability dropped 7.3%.
Following a similar pattern, rates declined for all three equipment types in December: van, reefer and flatbed rates declined 4.3%, 3.8% and 7.8%, respectively, compared with November. Compared to December 2011, van rates rose 0.8%, while reefer rates dipped 2% and flatbed rates dropped 7.3&.
Rates are derived from the DAT Truckload Rate Index, and do not include fuel surcharges, which declined by one cent in December on a month-over-month basis and increased year-over-year for all equipment types. Spot market rates are paid by brokers and 3PLs to the carrier.
Looking ahead to February, typically a slow season on the spot market, the best combination of load volume and a favorable ratio of outbound loads should be found in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana in the Midwest, and in the Southeastern states of Georgia and North Carolina.
However, compared to unusually robust November levels, spot market freight volume declined 18.4% month-over-month. This trend follows a typical seasonal pattern between November and December; volume dropped in eight of the past ten years, for a ten-year average decline of 13%. The DAT North American Freight Index is a measure of spot market freight availability in the U.S. and Canada.
The seasonal trend in freight volume in the U.S. affected all three of the major equipment categories, month-over-month. Compared to December 2011, however, U.S. van freight volume increased 13.1% last month, while refrigerated freight levels were stable and flatbed freight availability dropped 7.3%.
Following a similar pattern, rates declined for all three equipment types in December: van, reefer and flatbed rates declined 4.3%, 3.8% and 7.8%, respectively, compared with November. Compared to December 2011, van rates rose 0.8%, while reefer rates dipped 2% and flatbed rates dropped 7.3&.
Rates are derived from the DAT Truckload Rate Index, and do not include fuel surcharges, which declined by one cent in December on a month-over-month basis and increased year-over-year for all equipment types. Spot market rates are paid by brokers and 3PLs to the carrier.
Looking ahead to February, typically a slow season on the spot market, the best combination of load volume and a favorable ratio of outbound loads should be found in Ohio, Illinois and Indiana in the Midwest, and in the Southeastern states of Georgia and North Carolina.
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