The latest DAT North American Freight Index saw spot market freight volumes rise 0.5% in July, marking the first time since the index was established in 1996 that July posted stronger volumes than June.
The average month-over-month decline from June to July has been 20% over the past 10 years.
Analysts say this year's atypical freight season can be attributed to a combination of pent-up demand for flatbeds due to weather-related delays in housing starts, as well as a robust harvest that added to July demand for reefer trailers in the West and Midwest.
Flatbed loads jumped 6% in July, while reefer freight availability increased 1.8%. Van loads decreased 6.2% compared to June.
Year-over-year freight availability was up 13%. Flatbed volume rose 20%, reefer loads increased 26% and van freight added 6.8% compared to July 2012.
Meanwhile, year-over-year, rates declined in all but reefer segments. Flatbed rates were down 6.7%, van rates 2.1%, and reefer rates went up 1.2% compared to record highs in July 2012.
