Mark Montague, Author at DAT

Blog Author

RFP season arrives amid uncertainty

RFP season arrives amid uncertainty

Uncertainty abounds as we begin to look forward to the New Year. As we have seen in 2020, freight patterns and rate levels can shift suddenly, so it pays to have a strong awareness of factors that can affect the marketplace when bidding on future freight.

Will spring produce stabilize trucking?

Will spring produce stabilize trucking?

Recent news has been all about the downturn in freight volumes, and the lower rates that accompany smaller volumes. Whenever freight markets go soft, we analysts like to look at changes that can help pull us out of the current pattern. In the midst of much gloom about the freight marketplace, we look for some positives that can help us through the next couple of months.

Just another typical February — or was it?

Just another typical February — or was it?

Freight rates are weak right now, as everyone in the industry is painfully aware. But while poring over the data in DAT RateView and reading reports from many industry analysts, I found encouraging news.

Flatbed rates see off-season surge

Flatbed rates see off-season surge

Flatbed rates have seen an uptick, even as van and reefer rates have started to dip seasonally. So what’s up with flatbed?

Thanksgiving rush results in record-high reefer volumes

Thanksgiving rush results in record-high reefer volumes

Refrigerated freight volumes hit a new weekly record, surpassing even 2017's record-setting volumes, and rates have climbed more than 6% from the prior month.

Van volumes rise as Black Friday approaches

Van volumes rise as Black Friday approaches

Sufficient capacity has kept rates in check so far this fall. But both rates and freight volumes increased in the top 100 van lanes last week.

Retail freight helps boost van rates

Retail freight helps boost van rates

On the top 100 van lanes last week, more lanes had rising rates than falling. That's the first time in four weeks that that has happened.

Van volumes keep rising. When will rates?

Van volumes keep rising. When will rates?

Last week load counts in the top 100 van lanes were nearly the highest ever recorded. Rates, however, continue to slip.

3 markets could signal changes to come for van freight

3 markets could signal changes to come for van freight

Three of the most important van markets — Chicago, Dallas, and Los Angeles — had higher load counts, but increased volumes did not translate into higher rates.

Freight slows after end-of-quarter surge

Freight slows after end-of-quarter surge

After a couple of strong days to start the month of October, freight volumes began to fade later in the week, and rates moved lower on many high traffic lanes.

Spot market poised for stronger Q4

Spot market poised for stronger Q4

Van freight volumes were up more than 7% last week, providing positive momentum going into the fourth quarter. Houston had a big comeback, with volumes up 20%.

Tropical Storm Imelda disrupts supply chains

Tropical Storm Imelda disrupts supply chains

Tropical Storm Imelda hit the Gulf Coast last week, bringing up to 40 inches of rain to the Houston area, and disrupting supply chains throughout the region.