Shippers’ Condition Index Holds Steady in March

NASHVILLE, IN — FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for March did not show much change from the previous month.

“After a steep drop in February the SCI stabilized in March as conditions in the trucking industry steadied,” explained Larry Gross, senior consultant for FTR. “February demand was unusually strong but it appears that some of that volume was simply freight moving earlier this year due to the mild winter weather. The seasonal jump from February to March was not as strong as usual this year.”

The index currently sits at -5.3, representing a “moderately unfavorable condition,” that is expected to last until the busy fall shipping season. At that point, FTR said capacity will tighten further, deteriorating the shipping environment.

By the end of the year and into 2013, FTR said that shippers can expect further fall off in their position with carriers as their options become more limited due to hours-of-service regulation implementation and the accompanying reduction in available capacity.


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