Rate Pressure Easing on Spot Market
Spot truckload demand and capacity moved downward during the week ending July 26, according to DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
The national average van rate fell 3 cents (1.4%) to $2.07 per mile (including fuel surcharge), historically strong despite a typical late-summer decline.
Van load availability fell 5.4% while capacity increased 3.5% for the week.
The national van load-to-truck ratio dropped 8.6% to 2.7, meaning there were 2.7 loads posted for every truck available on DAT load boards. The national average rate for refrigerated loads dropped 4 cents (1.7%) to $2.36 per mile, continuing a seasonal slide. The number of posted loads edged down 1.7% as truckload capacity increased just 1.3% compared to the previous week.
The resulting refrigerated load-to-truck ratio fell 2.9% from 8.1 to 7.9 loads per truck, a moderate level for the last full week of July.
Flatbed equipment continues to be in demand and rates remain strong, although the national average rate for flatbeds lost 3 cents (1.2%) to $2.44 per mile. Flatbed load availability dipped 3.2% last week while truckload capacity added 7.8%, producing a flatbed load-to-truck ratio of 31.9. That’s off 10% compared to the previous week but still a favorable ratio for carriers.
Category: Management, Vehicles
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