Freight volume on September’s spot market set a record for the 14th consecutive month, according to the latest North American Freight Index released by DAT Solutions.
What’s more, last month spot-market truckload rates increased year-over-year for all three equipment categories. And freight volume and rate activity were “in line with seasonal expectations” when viewed month over month.
September’s freight volume soared 32% over last September. DAT also pointed out that freight availability dropped 5.5% compared with August. The described that decline as representative of “a typical seasonal trend.”
Compared to September 2013, freight volume in the U.S. increased for all three equipment categories. Load availability for dry vans rose 42% while reefer freight increased 24% and flatbed volume climbed 46%.
National average truckload rates also increased on the spot market for all three equipment types. Dry van rates went rose 15% while rates for reefers and flatbeds both increased 16%.
Compared to August, freight volume increased 3.0 percent for vans. However, DAT reported that it “dipped 4.1% seasonally for reefers and declined 12% for flatbeds.
As for rates last month, those for dray vans increased 2.0 percent. Reefer rates rose 2.8%. But flatbed rates slipped 2.1% lower, month over month.
The company noted that reference rates are derived from DAT RateView. In addition, it said rates are cited for linehaul only, excluding fuel surcharges, which declined on both a month-over-month and year-over-year basis.
The monthly North American Freight Index reflects spot-market freight availability on the DAT Network of load boards for the U.S. and Canada.
