PORTLAND, Ore., April 11, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Truckload freight volumes increased in March although ample capacity and
weather-related supply chain disruptions kept rates in check, said DAT Solutions, which operates the largest truckload freight
marketplace in North America.
The DAT Freight Index increased 4.3 percent in March compared to February. The index is a monthly volume indicator for
full-truckload van, refrigerated (“reefer”), and flatbed freight transportation.
“We anticipated a bigger increase in demand for trucking services, but unexpected events, including flooding in the Midwest and
a major tank fire in Houston, prevented the typical surge of shipments ahead of the close of Q1,” said DAT Senior Industry Analyst
Mark Montague. “As a result, truckload rates were lower than expected in March.”
While freight volume increased 3.7 percent for vans and 2.1 percent for reefers compared to February, the national average spot
(non-contract) van rate fell 3 cents to $1.85 per mile and the reefer rate declined 4 cents to $2.17 per mile.
Flatbed freight was the strongest segment of the three, with a 10 percent increase in demand for available trucks. The national
average spot flatbed rate increased 2 cents to $2.35 per mile month over month. Flatbed freight includes construction materials,
heavy equipment, and freight related to oil and gas markets.
Changes in contract rates were mixed. The van rate fell 4 cents to $2.26 per mile, the reefer rate increased 4 cents to $2.57
per mile, and the flatbed rate gained 2 cents to $2.61 per mile, compared to February. Contract rates rose higher for all equipment
types compared to March 2018, however. Many contract carriers raised prices in 2018, but the increases did not take effect until
the second half of the year.
Year-over-Year: Freight Is Abundant, and So Are Trucks
Spot truckload rates in March were well below last year, when load-to-truck ratios and rates were at record levels. Yet freight
volumes remained relatively strong. Van and reefer volumes declined just 2.5 percent and 3.4 percent compared to March 2018, and
flatbed volume increased 4.8 percent year over year.
“Overall freight availability reflected a solid economy during the month of March, with van freight volumes increasing more than
6 percent during the last week of the month,” Montague said. “There was enough capacity to cover the demand, and as a result rates
did not rise as expected for this time of year.”
About the DAT Freight Index
The DAT North American Freight Index is based on load counts and per-mile rates recorded in DAT RateView, with an average of 3
million freight moves per month. Spot market information is based on transactions arranged by third-party logistics (3PL)
companies, while contract volumes and rates are arranged between shippers and carriers, with no intermediary.
About DAT
DAT operates the largest truckload freight marketplace in North America. Transportation brokers, carriers, news organizations
and industry analysts rely on DAT for market trends and data insights derived from 256 million freight matches and a database of
$60 billion in annual market transactions. Related services include a comprehensive directory of companies with business history,
credit, safety, insurance and company reviews; broker transportation management software; authority, fuel tax, mileage, vehicle
licensing, and registration services; and carrier onboarding.
Founded in 1978, DAT Solutions LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Roper Technologies (NYSE:ROP), a diversified technology
company and constituent of the S&P 500, Fortune 1000, and Russell 1000 indices. DAT.com
Media Contact
Eileen Hart, Vice President, Marketing & Corporate Communications
DAT Solutions
Eileen.Hart@dat.com
503-672-5132
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DAT Spot Market Truckload Volumes, 2018 - 2019
Spot freight volume increased 3.7 percent for vans and 2.1 percent for refrigerated (“reefer”) equipment compared to
February, while flatbeds hauled 10 percent more spot market loads in March, month over month.
DAT Spot Market Truckload Rates, 2018 - 2019
Despite a seasonal increase in freight volume, rates slipped lower for van and reefer freight on the spot market in
March, due partly to extreme weather and other disruptions. Flatbed rates rose, however, signaling the likelihood of a
rebound for all freight in Q2.