Less-than-truckload carrier Old Dominion Freight Line will increase its base rates on Jan. 18, a move motivated by the higher costs of new equipment, new service centers, technology, insurance costs and wages and benefits
, according to Rick Keeler, senior vice president of pricing.

"Although each customer will have a different financial impact based on the lanes and distance their shipments move, the overall impact of the increase is approximately 4.4 percent," said Keeler. "Additional increases will be taken on Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and Mexico."

The increases depend on length of haul. The Thomasville, N.C.-based company says minimum charges in shorter haul lanes will be raised, while minimum shipments in longer haul lanes will be cut.

"We believe the increase is essential to continue to provide our customers with the value in technology and quality performance they have come to depend on," said Todd Polen, vice president of pricing.