Portland, OR -- For the first time since the DAT North American Freight Index was established in 1996, the company reported a 3.6 percent month-over-month increase in spot market freight volume in November. Part of the increase can be attributed to disaster relief and inventory replenishment following Hurricane Sandy. Year-over-year, freight volume increased 4.1 percent on the spot market.

Only flatbeds experienced a net decline in freight availability, dropping by 6.0 percent, while van load volumes rose 11 percent and refrigerated (“reefer”) freight increased 16 percent compared to October. On a year-over-year basis, van freight volume increased 7.7 percent, reefer freight remained stable with a 0.4 percent uptick, and there were 10 percent fewer flatbed loads, compared to November 2011.

The monthly DAT North American Freight Index reflects spot market freight availability on TransCore’s network of load boards in the United States and Canada.

Truckload freight rate trends followed a similar pattern, as van and reefer rates increased 6.8 and 1.3 percent, respectively, while flatbed rates declined 1.8 percent compared with October. Compared to November 2011, van rates rose 3.7 percent and reefer rates increased 1.3 percent. Flatbed rates rose 1.2 percent when compared to the same month last year.

Rates are derived from the DAT Truckload Rate Index, and do not include fuel surcharges. Spot market rates are paid by brokers and 3PLs to the carrier.