Rate Trend of the Week

Reefer volumes level off, but rate trends are mixed

It's been an up-and-down kind of market for reefer equipment. We're not talking about a gentle rise and fall -- more like a giant roller coaster.

Van rates rise again, but trends could reverse soon

Van rates may fall as fast as they rose, as declining load-to-truck ratios signal the end of the coronavirus-fueled spike in spot freight. Retail inventories are still being depleted and replenished at a rapid pace, but the freight pipeline is depleted because of business closures all over the country. Plus, many consumers face sudden job losses, making them wary about discretionary spending.

COVID-19 response disrupts freight flows and boosts rates

The word "disruption" seems too gentle to describe the impact of COVID-19 on truck freight.

Spot market reefer freight refills stores

As more and more cities and states institute measures in response to the COVID-19 threat, consumers have rushed to grocery stores to stock up for extended time at home. Store shelves are bare, but the truckload spot market is already mobilizing to meet the surge in demand.

COVID-19 uncertainty spurs truckload rate increases

COVID-19 is causing the mother of all supply chain disruptions. Two weeks ago, we worried that the gap in imports reduced demand and rates for trucks in seaport markets, but then consumers started emptying store shelves of cleaning supplies and canned goods.

Flatbed rates edge up on steady demand

Rates haven’t been all that high for flatbeds, but the national average has held in a pretty stable in a range of $2.15 to $2.18 per mile since October. As with dry van – and reefer for that matter – there’s more action for open-deck equipment in the Southeast, and rates are moving up on many high-volume lanes that originate there.

Dry van demand rises as stores restock empty shelves

At some point, U.S. consumers may stay away from stores and other public places due to coronavirus fears, but for now they're shopping like crazy. It could be a busy spring for dry vans, as those inventories are being replenished continuously.

Spot rates stall for van freight in uncertain market conditions

Van carriers may be glad to see February recede in the rearview, as rates and volume slid lower in a typical winter slump. As of last week, rates seemed to have hit a plateau, and truckload volumes were picking up. The much-anticipated spring recovery may be delayed or canceled, however, due to the impact of the COVID-19 coronavirus on supply chains worldwide.