Flatbed

The van TVI, at 245, down 4% compared to January, with the reefer TVI, at 193, down 4% compared to January, and the flatbed TVI, at 242, increased 3% compared to January.

The November edition of the DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), which was recently issued by DAT Freight & Analytics, showed a solid post-Thanksgiving bump in truckload freight volumes compared to previous Novembers.  

DAT reported that the van TVI was up 3.5% compared to September, at 263, and up 9.5% annually, with the reefer TVI up 4.3% compared to September, at 196 and up 9.0% annually, and the flatbed TVI was down 3.2% compared to September, at 245, and up 0.5% annually.

Seasonal trends impacted lower spot market volumes and rates in the September edition of the DAT Truckload Volume Index.

The van TVI was up 8.0% compared to July, at 241, and down 8.0% annually; the reefer TVI was up 4% compared to July, at 175 and down 5% annually; and the flatbed TVI was up 9% compared to July, at 259, and down 0.4% annually;

The van TVI was down 7.0% compared to June, to 226, and down 3.0% annually, the flatbed TVI decreased 12.8% compared to June, to 238, and was up 3.5% annually, and the reefer TVI was down 3.4% compared to June, to 169 and up 1.2% annually (DAT said that even with each TVI reading declining, the reefer and TVI numbers marked the highest on record for July.

DAT officials explained that despite higher freight volumes, March’s low rates ended what it called a challenging quarter experienced by the majority of truckload carriers and freight brokers, with the exception of flatbed freight, as spot market pricing and demand have been steady year-to-date.

February’s reading—at 227—was down 3% compared to January’s 229, which marked the highest-ever TVI reading in January. And while load-posting activity was off sequentially, the number of loads posted to the DAT One load board network saw a solid 24.1% annual increase.

May spot truckload freight volumes fell far short of typical seasonal trends, according to the most recent edition of the DAT Truckload Freight Volume Index.

Late last week, Addison, Texas-based Daseke Inc., a provider of flatbed, specialized transportation and logistics services said it acquired Memphis-based Builders Transportation Co., a steel, aluminum, and metal products carrier.

December national averages for dry and reefer (refrigerated) van rates, respectively, saw 2017 highs, said DAT, and the national average flatbed rate was even with its high for the year, too.