TORONTO, Ont. — The cost of ground transportation for Canadian shippers in September remained the same month-over-month, according to the latest figures from the Canadian General Freight Index (CGFI).

However, the Base Rate Index, which excludes the impact of accessorial charges assessed by carriers, decreased by .1% for the same period. It was the first decrease in base rates since March.   

Offsetting the decrease in base rates were slight increases in both average fuel surcharges assessed by carriers and other accessorial charges. During this period, fuel surcharges assessed by carriers equated to 20.16% of base rates, up from 20.1% in August. The combined effect of lower base rates and higher accessorial charges resulted in no change in average transportation costs for Canadian shippers, according to the report.   

“The slight decrease in Base Rates was predominantly driven by reduced costs in the transborder truckload sector,” said Doug Payne, president and COO of Nulogx. “Over the summer, these movements were subject to significant cost increases and it is possible that these are easing somewhat.”