PORTLAND, OR — Spot market freight volume declined 9.7 percent in October in North American while rates also moved lower.

The latest DAT North American Freight Index, based on the DAT network of load boards in both Canada and the U.S., shows a common seasonal pattern.

And although volume fell below same-month levels of the past five years, total volume for the year to-date has exceeded the same period for every year prior to an atypical 2014, accordign to DAT.

By equipment type, van freight availability declined 13 percent, refrigerated trailers lost 16 percent, and flatbed volume slipped 4.5 percent lower, compared to September.

Line haul rates on the spot market followed the month-over-month volume trends by equipment type, declining 2.6 percent for vans, 4.5 percent for reefers, and 1.7 percent for flatbeds.

Compared to record spot market volume of 2014, freight was down 44 percent in October.

By equipment type, year over year, van demand was down 42 percent, reefer volume fell 34 percent, and flatbeds dropped 50 percent, compared to October 2014.

Line haul rates declined 5.7 percent for vans, 5.6 percent for reefers and 5.4 percent for flatbeds, compared to October 2014.

Total rates paid to the carrier declined by 15 percent year over year, however, due to a 48 percent decline in the fuel surcharge, which comprises a portion of the rate.