Truckload Freight and Rates Begin Seasonal Decline: DAT Freight Index

PORTLAND, Ore., Feb. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Spot market freight volume declined seasonally in January, down 11 percent from an atypical December high, according to the DAT North American Freight Index. Compared to January 2014, volume slipped 27 percent from extraordinary demand during last winter's Polar Vortex. This was the first year-over-year decline on the Index in nineteen months.

Compared to December, freight volume by equipment type declined 18 percent for vans, 3.1 percent for flatbeds and 2.5 percent for refrigerated ("reefer") trailers. Truckload freight rates on the spot market drifted down 3.6 percent for vans and 3.1 percent for reefers, while the average flatbed rate was unchanged, month over month. 

Compared to the extraordinary market conditions of January 2014, freight volume by equipment type declined 27 percent for vans, 35 percent for flatbeds and 0.7 percent for reefers last month. Rates trended up, however: Van rates added 16 percent, flatbeds were up 7.9 percent, and reefer rates rose 3.8 percent, year over year. Monthly average van rates have increased year over year for 19 consecutive months, while flatbed and reefer rates have trended up every month since the end of 2013.

Beginning with this month, the DAT Index has been rebased, so that 100 on the Index represents the average monthly volume in the year 2000.

Reference rates are derived from DAT RateView. Rates are cited for line haul only, excluding fuel surcharges, which declined on both a month-over-month and year-over-year basis. 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, Oregon, 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 technology company and constituent of the S&P 500, Fortune 1000 and Russell 1000 indices. www.dat.com

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150213/175397-INFO 
Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20140227/CL73279LOGO

SOURCE DAT Solutions

Related Links

http://www.transcorefreightsolutions.com

WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?

440k+
Newsrooms &
Influencers

9k+
Digital Media
Outlets

270k+
Journalists
Opted In

GET STARTED