Spot market freight volume in April 2015 followed a typical seasonal pattern, declining 10% compared with March, according to the DAT North American Freight Index. Year over year, freight availability declined 27% from the extraordinary volume of 2014. When compared with 2013 and all previous years, April 2015 volume exceeded same-month totals.
By equipment type, freight volume fell 23% for vans and 25% for refrigerated (reefer) trailers versus March, but flatbed freight availability increased 18% month over month. Rates by equipment type on the spot market followed the trends in volume, slipping 2.5% for vans and 0.5% for reefers, while flatbed rates rose 0.5% from March.
Compared with April 2014, freight volume dropped for all equipment types: down 18% for vans, 4.9% for reefers, and 38% for flatbeds. Linehaul rates trended up, however: van rates rose 4.6%, reefers were up 3.4%, and flatbed rates climbed 3.9% from April 2014 levels.
Although the line-haul portion of the rate increased year over year, carriers received a lower total rate due to decreasining fuel prices and associated surcharges. The total rate fell on both a month-over-month and year-over-year basis for all equipment types.
Intermediaries and carriers across North America listed more than 120 million loads and trucks in 2014 on the DAT network of load boards. As a result of this high volume, the DAT Freight Index is representative of the ups and downs in North American spot market freight movement.
Reference rates are derived from DAT RateView. Rates are cited for linehaul only, excluding fuel surcharges, except where noted. 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. Beginning in January 2015, the DAT index was rebased so that 100 on the index represents the average monthly volume in the year 2000. 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 more information.
