Freight Index for July exceeds June levels

A seasonal month-over-month decline in spot market rates is expected in July as capacity becomes available in many parts of the nation. Rates rose 1.2% for flatbeds, however. Rates declined seasonally for other equipment types, dipping 0.7% for vans and 3.4% for reefers, as additional truckload capacity became available to meet seasonal demand. On a year-over-year basis, flatbed rates declined 6.7% and van rates slipped 2.1% from the record highs of July 2012, but reefer rates rose 1.2%. Rates are derived from DAT RateView, which is based on $20 billion of actual transactions paid by brokers, 3PLs, and shippers to carriers. Reference rates are for linehaul only, excluding fuel surcharges, which were unchanged in July on a month-over-month basis, but declined compared with July 2012. The monthly DAT North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on the TransCore DAT network of load boards in the United States and Canada. Access www.dat.com for further information.