Spot market’s record-setting volume continues in August

Spot market freight volume continued to achieve record-setting levels in August 2014, increasing 32% compared with the same month in 2013. Freight availability remained constant from July to August, with a 0.4% uptick month-over-month, according to the DAT North American Freight Index.

Compared with August 2013, freight volume rose for all three equipment categories in the United States. Van load availability climbed 36%, while refrigerated (reefer) freight added 31% and flatbed volume surged 56%. National average spot truckload rates also advanced, with van and flatbed rates both adding 14% and reefer rates up 5.7%. In contrast to July, freight volume was stable for vans with a 0.2% gain, and freight for reefer trailers increased 6.2%. Loads for flatbeds declined 2.4%, however, from July’s atypically strong demand. Spot market truckload rates for all three equipment categories receded from extraordinary mid-summer heights. Van rates slid 1.9%, reefer rates lost 2.2%, and flatbed rates drifted 0.5% lower, month-over-month. Reference rates are derived from DAT RateView. Rates are cited for linehaul 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. Access www.dat.com for more information.