North American Freight Index Falls in January

Spot market freight volume declined seasonally in January, down 11 percent from an atypical December high, according to the DAT North American Freight Index, an indicator of truckload freight demand and capacity.

Volume slipped 27 percent compared to January 2014. It was the first year-over-year decline on the Index in 19 months. Compared to December 2014, freight volume by equipment type fell 18 percent for vans, 3.1 percent for flatbeds, and 2.5 percent for refrigerated (“reefer”) trailers.

Truckload freight rates on the spot market drifted down 3.6 percent for vans and 3.1 percent for reefers, while the average flatbed rate was unchanged, month-over-month.

Compared to the very bullish market conditions of January 2014, freight volume by equipment type declined 27 percent for vans, 35 percent for flatbeds, and 0.7 percent for reefers.

In related news, rates trended up:

• Van rates added 15 percent
• Flatbeds were up 7.9 percent, and
• Reefer rates rose 3.8 percent, year-over-year.
• Monthly average van rates have increased year over year for 19 consecutive months, while flatbed and reefer rates have trended up every month since the end of 2013.

Category: Featured, General Update