DAT Report Shows Loads Rise 51% in April
The latest DAT report of spot freight market activity showed a 51% increase in freight volume in April from last year.
The increase was attributed to extreme winter weather nationwide that reduced fleet productivity and disrupted normal supply chain networks, sending freight to the spot market to meet capacity needs.
Van rates increased 19% from the previous year, flatbed rates rose 12% and refrigerated trucking rates jumped 20% from 2013, according to DAT.
The May 14 report from DAT showed an 8.8% decline in spot market loads in April from the prior month’s record breaking levels.
Compared with March, rates declined 22% for vans, 25 % for reefers and increased 10% for flatbeds, in an expected seasonal pattern.
