BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for February fell more than two points following a similar decline in January. The current reading of -9.5 reflects an expectation for increasingly difficult conditions for shippers as 2013 progresses. The SCI is forecast to be choppy over the next few months with further deterioration occurring in the second half of the year, according to FTR officials.

FTR predicts that the effects of the coming new US Hours-of-Service rules will include a reduction in driver productivity, resulting in a substantial tightening of already tight truck capacity, which, in turn, will result in increased shipping costs.

“Although substantial uncertainty exists with regard to the near-term path of the economy, shippers need to be prepared for a difficult second half of the year. If the current path of slow economic growth remains intact and the courts do not delay the implementation of the new Hours-of-Service framework (a development we view as increasingly unlikely), then the stage will be set for a significant tightening of truck capacity, resulting in reduced service levels and higher rates,” said Lawrence Gross, senior consultant for FTR.

“While the situation is similar in some respects to the last such occurrence in 2004, there is one important difference. While 2004 was a relatively short-term blip, we believe that 2013 will be the door-opener for a prolonged period of difficulties that could last several years.”

The Shippers Conditions Index is a compilation of factors affecting shippers transport environment. Any reading below zero indicates a less-than-ideal environment for shippers. Readings below 10 signal that conditions for shippers are approaching critical levels, based on available capacity and expected rates.