Cass reports that truckload linehaul costs rose in June 1.5% year-over-year and 1% from May, very closely in line with seasonal trends.

A number of factors, including growing truck tonnage, limited investment in new equipment, and the hours-of-service law that went into effect on July 1, are keeping capacity tight.

Cass's latest data point shows that total intermodal costs are down 0.5% year-over-year in June. Taking a longer view, June’s intermodal costs are at virtually the same point as in June of 2011 and 2012.

From May, intermodal costs fell 6.1% in line with seasonal trends. This decrease takes place despite the fact that intermodal container volumes continue to post considerable year-over-year growth. Other factors playing into the supply-demand-cost equation, are declining diesel prices (a new seasonal norm) and an increasing container supply.