Spot truckload capacity advances; average rates lag

Available truckload capacity on the spot market increased while load availability and national average rates declined across all three equipment types during the week ending July 11, 2015, reports DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards. The average spot van rate fell 2 cents to $1.87 per mile the week ending July 11 and the van load-to-truck ratio slipped 17% to 2.0 loads per truck, meaning there were 2.0 available van loads for every truck posted on the DAT network. Available van capacity surged 25% largely because the week ending July 11 had five workdays and the previous week had only four. A 20% to 25% gain in load board activity is typical during the first week after a holiday.

The volume of refrigerated load posts was stable (up 0.5%) while truck posts climbed 28%. The national average reefer load-to-truck ratio dropped 22% to 5.0 loads per truck while the average spot reefer rate dipped 3 cents to $2.19 per mile. Flatbed load posts rose just 3.9% while truck posts advanced 22%. The load-to-truck ratio lost 15%, falling to 14.2 loads per truck, and the average spot flatbed rate retreated another 2 cents to $2.16 per mile. 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, access www.dat.com/Trendlines.