December spot market shows unusual vitality

Spot market freight volume was atypically strong for the season in December 2014, increasing 3.0% compared with November, according to the DAT North American Freight Index. Freight volume in December has fallen in 11 of the past 15 years. Compared with December 2013, volume rose 11%, in the 18th consecutive month of year-over-year gains for the index. Month over month, freight volume climbed 5.3% for vans and 4.1% for refrigerated (reefer) trailers, but flatbed freight availability dipped 1.2%. Truckload rates rose 4.3% for vans, 2.1% for reefers, and 1.6% for flatbeds.

Compared with December 2013, freight volume advanced 27% for vans, 18% for reefers, and 11% for flatbeds, year over year in the United States. Rates also were up in the United States for the three major equipment categories: Van rates rose 15%, reefer rates gained 24%, and flatbeds added 13% over December 2013 levels. Load availability declined for specialty trailers and other equipment types, on both a month-over-month and year-over-year basis. Reference rates are derived from DAT RateView. Rates are cited for linehaul only, excluding fuel surcharges, which fell 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. Portland OR-based DAT Solutions operates a large network of load boards and is a source of supply and demand trends, rate benchmarking, and capacity planning information. Related services include a 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. Access www.dat.com for further information.