N.A. spot market freight index shows unusual growth in July

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PORTLAND, Ore. — The latest DAT North American Freight Index saw spot market freight volumes rise 0.5% in July, marking the first time since the index was established in 1996 that July posted stronger volumes than June.

The average month-over-month decline from June to July has been 20% over the past 10 years.

Analysts say this year’s atypical freight season can be attributed to a combination of pent-up demand for flatbeds due to weather-related delays in housing starts, as well as a robust harvest that added to July demand for reefer trailers in the West and Midwest.

Flatbed loads jumped 6% in July, while reefer freight availability increased 1.8%. Van loads decreased 6.2% compared to June.

Year-over-year freight availability was up 13%. Flatbed volume rose 20%, reefer loads increased 26% and van freight added 6.8% compared to July 2012.

Meanwhile, year-over-year, rates declined in all but reefer segments. Flatbed rates were down 6.7%, van rates 2.1%, and reefer rates went up 1.2% compared to record highs in July 2012.

For more info, visit www.dat.com/blog or www.dat.com/Resources/Trendlines.aspx.

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