DAT: Spot-freight market soars again

Truckload freight availability on the spot market remained at historic highs in August, according to the latest North American Freight Index released by DAT Solutions.

While DAT reported that both freight volume and rates were “relatively stable compared to July” across all three equipment types, it found that spot-market freight volume again attained a record-setting level last month-- jumping 32% year-over year.

“Freight availability remained constant from July to August,” DAT noted, “with a 0.4 percent uptick month over month

What’s more, the index shows that volume was up in all three equipment types. Van freight gained 36%, reefer freight rose 31% and flatbed volume soared 56%-- all compared to August 2013.

Compared to July, freight volume was stable for vans with a 0.2% increase. Reefer freight increased 6.2% from the month before. However, flatbed loads declined 2.4% “from July's atypically strong demand,” noted DAT.

Year-over-year, national average spot truckload rates increased, with van and flatbed rates up by 14% and reefer rates by 5.7%.

However, viewed month-over-month, rates receded for all three equipment categories from what DAT termed “extraordinary mid-summer highs.” Van rates slid 1.9% while reefer rates dropped 2.2% and flatbed rates slipped 0.5% compared to July. 

The North American Freight Index reflects spot-market freight availability on DAT’s U.S./Canada load board network.  Reference rates are derived from DAT RateView and are cited for linehaul only, excluding fuel surcharges.

Additional trends and analysis are available at DAT Trendlines.