Load availability on the spot market has been trending downward since August 2018, as capacity loosened and trucks became more available.
The spot market has not enjoyed the usual boost provided by holiday shipping so far in December, with spot market rates falling for all three major trailer types.
Spot market freight volume and rates fell for most equipment types last month, but holiday shipping is expected to give it a boost.
Severe weather in Asia and the U.S. Eastern seaboard slowed seasonal freight flows in October, leading to truckload transportation delays at U.S. ports, according to DAT Solutions.
The DAT Freight Index for September shows that despite a slight slump in activity, rates remain high for most trucking segments.
The spot market continues to cool a bit, with fewer loads posted and lower national average spot truckload rates, according to DAT.
National average van freight rates fell for the fifth week in a row, dropping 6 cents to $2.18 per mile for the week ending in Aug. 11, according to the latest numbers from DAT Solutions.
Spot truckload rates continued a seasonal decline during the week ending August 4, as the overall number of loads posted on DAT load boards fell 0.7% and capacity dipped 1.3%.
Spot truckload rates declined again during the week ending July 28, as the overall number of loads posted on DAT load boards fell 4.2% and capacity increased 0.5%, but the spot freight market is still strong compared to historical averages.
Spot truckload rates continued their seasonal decline during the week ending July 21, as the overall number of loads posted on DAT load boards fell 5.5% and capacity increased 1.3%.