Spot truckload market load availability climbs by 8.6%

Load availability on the spot truckload market increased 8.6% while capacity fell 9% during the week ending February 21, 2015, reports DAT Solutions, which operates the DAT network of load boards.
Average line-haul rates were unchanged across all three equipment categories compared with the previous week, holding steady after several weeks of decline.
Rates rebound
The national average van rate including surcharge was up 1 cent to $1.87 per mile on the strength of a rising fuel surcharge. The national average diesel price rose 4 cents to $2.90 a gallon the week ending February 21, nudging the average fuel surcharge up a penny.
While rates elsewhere were generally flat, outbound van rates rose significantly in Buffalo NY and Columbus OH (both up 7 cents to $2.13 per mile), and Memphis TN (up 9 cents to $2.17). All three markets have been affected by winter weather.
The national average flatbed rate was unchanged at $2.12 per mile versus the previous week but was down 9 cents from the January average. The reefer rate was unchanged at $2.10 and down 13 cents from the January average.
Capacity tightens
There was less available capacity on DAT load boards, sending load-to-truck ratios higher.
The number of flatbed loads posted on the DAT Network fell 1.9% while available capacity declined 11%. The flatbed load-to-truck ratio advanced slightly from 11.1 to 11.3, meaning there were 11.3 flatbed loads posted for every available flatbed trailer on DAT load boards for the week ending February 21.
Reefer load availability increased 14% and capacity fell 11% for the week, reversing the prior week’s trend. The reefer load-to-truck ratio jumped from 6.2 to 7.9 loads per truck.
Demand for vans rebounded 15% for the week ending February 21 and capacity fell 9.4%. The resulting van load-to-truck ratio rose from 2.1 back up to 2.7 loads per truck.
Load-to-truck ratios represent the number of loads posted for every truck available on DAT load boards. The load-to-truck ratio is a sensitive, real-time indicator of the balance between spot market demand and capacity. Changes in the ratio often signal impending changes in rates.
Rates are derived from DAT RateView, which provides real-time reports on prevailing spot market and contract rates, as well as historical rate and capacity trends. For complete national and regional reports on spot rates and demand, access www.dat.com/Trendlines.