Truckload Freight Volumes Fell in July

Truckload freight volumes fell last month and national benchmark spot rates for dry van and refrigerated (reefer) loads retreated from their gains in June, reported DAT Freight & Analytics.

Truckload freight volumes fell last month and national benchmark spot rates for dry van and refrigerated (reefer) loads retreated from their gains in June, reported DAT Freight & Analytics.

“Shippers faced service disruptions at the ports and in the less-than-truckload sector but were able to secure van capacity without causing the needle to move on spot rates and volumes,” says Ken Adamo, chief of analytics. “Spot rates, as a reminder, are ‘all-in’ rates, meaning no separate fuel surcharge to help mitigate the risk of fuel price fluctuations. You have to negotiate each individual load with fuel and operating costs in mind, which is not always easy. The sudden increase in fuel prices is testing the wherewithal of small carriers at a time when freight volumes are in a seasonal lull.”