Spot truckload market load availability surges by 5.7%

The number of posted loads jumped 5.7% while available capacity fell 4.5% on the spot truckload freight market during the week ending October 3, 2015, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.

Demand for trucks rose as shippers rushed to move inventory before the end of the quarter. A one-cent decline in the average fuel surcharge helped keep spot rates in check.

The national average truckload van spot market rate dipped one cent to $1.74 per mile, although linehaul prices actually increased outbound from Los Angeles CA, Dallas TX, and other key markets.

Van load availability climbed 11% while truck capacity fell 2.9% compared with the previous week. The resulting van load-to-truck ratio advanced 14.3%, up from 1.7 to 2.0 loads per truck, meaning there were 2.0 available van loads for every van posted on the DAT network.

Refrigerated load volume gained 2.7% and available capacity dropped 5.5%. As a result, the national reefer load-to-truck ratio increased 8.7% from 4.3 to 4.6 loads per truck. The national average reefer rate was unchanged at $2.01 per mile compared with the previous week.

Flatbed load availability was up 3.1% and truck posts were down 7.9%, pushing the load-to-truck ratio for flatbeds up 12% to 11.5 loads per truck. The national average flatbed rate was unchanged at $2.03 per mile.

The national average price of diesel increased 1 cent to $2.49 per gallon the week ending October 3. All reported rates include fuel surcharges.

Rates are derived from DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on prevailing spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. Load-to-truck ratios represent the number of loads posted for every truck available on DAT load boards. The load-to-truck ratio is a sensitive, real-time indicator of the balance between spot market demand and capacity. Changes in the ratio often signal impending changes in rates.

For complete national and regional reports on spot rates and demand, go to www.dat.com/Trendlines.