September's DAT North American Freight Index saw a seasonal drop of 5.3 percent in spot market truckload freight volume from August, pointing to a change in Q3 seasonal patterns.
That month-to-month drop aside, the Index was up 22 percent year-over-year, marking the highest level recorded for the month of September since 1996, the year the Index began.
"Typically, third-quarter freight volume begins to drop in July, followed by mixed trends in August and September," DAT said. Third quarter volume this year was up 13 percent compared to the same period in 2012. Severe weather earlier in the year played a part by postponing agricultural and construction seasons and related freight movements, DAT noted, producing elevated volumes throughout the third quarter.
Load availability declined 1.6 percent for vans and 4.6 percent for flatbeds in September month-over-month, but saw an increase of 1.1 percent for reefers. Van rates rose a very slight 0.7 percent and reefer rates gained 1.9 percent. Flatbed rates dropped 8.1 percent from August.
Meanwhile, year-over-year, van freight volume was up 12 percent, flatbed loads increased 43 percent, reefer freight gained 30 percent. Van rates saw a 3.8 percent increase, reefers a 4.5 percent hike, while flatbed rates dropped 8.1 percent from September 2012.
Year-over-year, van freight volume rose 12%, flatbed loads increased 43%, and freight designated for reefers added 30%. Van rates increased 3.8%, reefer rates rose 4.5%, and flatbed rates declined 8.1% compared to September 2012.
Year-to-date, volume is 1.3 percent higher.
