Spot Market Freight Volume Remains High in May

Spot market freight availability as measured by the DAT North American Freight Index has run high and May 2014 numbers extend the trend, becoming the eleventh consecutive month to post a year-over-year record high with a 40 percent increase over last May.

Month over month, however, May freight volumes declined 2.1 percent compared to April’s.

Freight for vans, the predominant equipment category, was up 25 percent, refrigerated (“reefer”) freight increased 18 percent, and flatbed freight volume rose 85 percent compared to May 2013.

Month-over-month van freight availability was fairly stable with a 1.0 percent decline, while reefer freight dropped 4.8 percent and flatbed volume lost 1.6 percent. The increase in freight, together with capacity constraints, added pressure to rates.

Compared with May 2013, van rates rose 18 percent, reefers added 20 percent, and flatbeds commanded a 12 percent increase.

Month over month, rates declined 2.0 percent for vans while reefers got a 3.4 percent rate increase and flatbed rates rose 1.1 percent.

Category: Featured, General Update