PORTLAND, Ore — TransCore‘s  North American Freight Index in December climbed 11 percent compared to December 2010 on the spot market, marking the second highest freight volume for December since 2005.

December’s Index was the fourth consecutive month where same-month volume was the highest since the record-setting levels of 2005. Consistent with historic norms, month-over month, spot market freight volume declined 18 percent. This year’s November-to-December dip was deeper than the ten-year average decline of 14 percent, partly due to November’s volume being stronger than seasonal norms.

TransCore’s monthly North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the company’s network of load boards in the United States and Canada.

Truckload freight rates likewise increased year-over-year on the spot market in December for all equipment types. Month-over-month, national average rates declined for dry van and refrigerated (“reefer”) vans following a typical seasonal pattern, while flatbed rates remained unusually robust. For dry vans, the predominant equipment type, rates rose 5.5 percent compared to December 2010, and slipped 0.7 percent compared to November. Reefer rates rose 4.1 percent year-over-year and also slipped 0.7 percent month-over-month. National average rates for flatbeds increased 5.7 percent compared to December 2010, but remained unchanged compared to November.

These rates are derived from TransCore’s Truckload Rate Index, and do not include fuel surcharges. Spot market rates are paid to the carrier by freight brokers and third-party logistics (3PL) companies.