Spot Market Freight Volume Remains High in May: DAT Freight Index

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Jun 11, 2014, 08:17 ET

PORTLAND, Ore., June 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Spot market freight availability as measured by the DAT North American Freight Index has run high since July 2013 due to various factors including extraordinary weather events, regulatory changes and driver shortages. May 2014 numbers extend the trend, becoming the eleventh consecutive month to post a year-over-year record high with a 40 percent increase over last May. Month over month, however, May freight volumes declined 2.1 percent compared to April's.

Spot market truckload freight volume remains high in May, up 40 percent year-over-year; dips 2.1 percent compared to April. (PRNewsFoto/DAT Solutions)

Freight for vans, the predominant equipment category, was up 25 percent, refrigerated ("reefer") freight increased 18 percent, and flatbed freight volume rose 85 percent compared to May 2013. Month-over-month van freight availability was fairly stable with a 1.0 percent decline, while reefer freight dropped 4.8 percent and flatbed volume lost 1.6 percent.

The increase in freight, together with capacity constraints, added pressure to rates. Compared with May 2013, van rates rose 18 percent, reefers added 20 percent, and flatbeds commanded a 12 percent increase. Month over month, rates declined 2.0 percent for vans while reefers got a 3.4 percent rate increase and flatbed rates rose 1.1 percent.

Reference rates are derived from DAT RateView. Rates are cited for line haul only, excluding fuel surcharges, which declined on a month-over-month basis but increased compared to May 2013. The monthly DAT North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the DAT Network of load boards in the United States and Canada. Additional trends and analysis are available at DAT Trendlines.

About DAT Solutions

Based in Portland, Ore., DAT Solutions provides actionable information to transportation professionals in North America. It operates the industry's largest network of load boards and is a trusted source of supply and demand trends, rate benchmarking, and capacity planning information. Related services include a comprehensive directory of companies with business history, credit, safety, insurance and company reviews; broker transportation management software; fuel tax, mileage, vehicle licensing, and registration services; mobile resource management; and carrier onboarding.

Founded in 1978, DAT Solutions LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Roper Industries, a diversified growth company and constituent of the S&P 500, Fortune 1000 and Russell 1000 indices. www.dat.com

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SOURCE DAT Solutions