Spot Freight Drops 15% in November

Following an established seasonal pattern, spot market freight volume declined 15 percent in November, month over month, largely due to a drop in demand for flatbed trucks, accord to DAT Solutions.

By way of historical background, freight volume has declined in November in every year except 2012.

By equipment type, van freight availability declined a modest 2.9 percent, while flatbed trailers lost 39 percent, but refrigerated (“reefer”) volume increased 9.1 percent, compared to October. Spot market rates edged up 0.7 percent for vans and 0.6 percent for reefers, month over month. Flatbed rates declined 4.0 percent, however, due to seasonal pressure.

Overall freight availability slid 45 percent compared to record demand of November 2014. Although November volume was lower than same-month levels of the past five years, strong volume from the first half of this year boosted volume for the year to-date. That total was higher than the comparable period in any year prior to 2013.

 

By equipment type, van demand was down 43 percent, flatbed volume fell 53 percent, and reefer freight availability lost 41 percent, compared to November 2014.  Line haul rates declined 8.6 percent for vans, 7.2 percent for flatbeds, and 11 percent for reefers, year over year. Total rates paid to the carrier declined by 17 percent, however, due to a 49 percent decline in the fuel surcharge, which comprises a portion of the rate.

Category: Featured, General Update