Truckload Capacity Up 5.6%

A 5.6% increase in available van, refrigerated, and flatbed capacity on DAT load boards was offset by a 5.6% decrease in available freight during the week ending Oct. 18.

Nationally, truckload market rates fell slightly compared to the previous week.

The average van and flatbed rates each fell 2 cents, to $2.01 per mile for vans and $2.38 per mile for flatbeds (all figures include fuel surcharge). The average reefer rate lost 1 cent to $2.28 per mile. Regionally, the average van rate is atypically high out of Los Angeles ($2.25 per mile), with rates from L.A. to Phoenix near the all-time peak average of $2.57 per mile on the strength of freight moving inland through the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach.

Average outbound van rates from Columbus, Ohio ($2.31 per mile), Dallas ($1.75 per mile), and Buffalo ($2.40 per mile) remained solid as well.

The average rate from Memphis was $2.32 per mile, down 6 cents, while Atlanta was unchanged at $2.02 per mile.

In terms of market demand, van freight availability declined 2.9% while capacity increased 4.5%.

The resulting load-to-truck ratio slid from 3.1 to 2.8, meaning there were 2.8 van loads posted for every van available on DAT load boards.

Reefer capacity increased 6.9% last week and freight availability dropped 4.9%, producing an 11% decline in the load-to-truck ratio.

At 7.8 loads per truck, unusually strong seasonal demand in key regions has helped elevate the demand for capacity. Flatbed capacity added 8.0% and load availability declined 8.6%. The flatbed load-to-truck ratio is now 21.9 loads per truck, down from 25.9 the previous week.

Source: DAT Solutions

Category: Featured, General Update