Vans Surge as Spot Freight Availability Increases
Flatbed markets remained strong and van markets surged as overall spot freight availability rose 12% and capacity stayed flat, according to the latest numbers from DAT Solutions.

Source: DAT

Source: DAT
Flatbed markets remained strong and van markets surged as overall spot freight availability rose 12% and capacity stayed flat, according to the latest numbers from DAT Solutions.
Van and reefer spot market rates were unchanged from the previous week at $1.94 and $2.15 per mile, respectively, though van rates increased slightly out of Los Angeles thanks to a recovery in the flow of freight out of Southern California ports.
Flatbeds were once again solid with load availability up 13% and capacity falling 7.3%. These fluctuations pushed the load to truck ratio to 19.9 loads per truck, up from 16.4 in the week prior.
Demand for reefers were relatively unchanged, up only .3% and capacity fell 3.9%. The reefer truck-to-load ratio rose 4.4% to 8.2 loads per truck. Van freight availability increased by 19% and capacity actually increased as well by 2.8%. The two metrics usually move in opposite directions. Van load-to-truck ratio rose as well to 3.4 loads per truck.
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