DAT: Spot flatbed volumes surged in March
DAT Freight & Analytics reports a significant rebound in spot truckload freight volumes for March 2024, with notable increases across all equipment types. The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI) showed: van up 5% (276), reefer up 1% (218), and flatbed surging 13% (316) month-over-month.
Despite higher volumes, spot rates declined for vans ($1.99/mile, -5¢) and reefers ($2.27/mile, -9¢), while flatbed rates increased ($2.53/mile, +8¢). Contract rates also decreased across all categories: van ($2.40/mile, -3¢), reefer ($2.72/mile, -3¢), and flatbed ($3.04/mile, -1¢).
Flatbed demand showed particular strength, with approximately 30% of flatbed loads moving on the spot market, compared to 12-15% for vans and reefers. DAT's Chief of Analytics notes that tariff uncertainty and tighter capacity influenced the market, while shippers and brokers maintain pricing power.
DAT Freight & Analytics segnala una ripresa significativa dei volumi spot di trasporto camion per marzo 2024, con aumenti rilevanti in tutte le tipologie di equipaggiamento. L'Indice di Volume Truckload DAT (TVI) indica: van in crescita del 5% (276), reefer in aumento dell'1% (218) e flatbed in forte rialzo del 13% (316) rispetto al mese precedente.
Nonostante l'aumento dei volumi, le tariffe spot sono diminuite per i van ($1,99/miglio, -5¢) e i reefer ($2,27/miglio, -9¢), mentre le tariffe per i flatbed sono aumentate ($2,53/miglio, +8¢). Anche le tariffe contrattuali sono calate in tutte le categorie: van ($2,40/miglio, -3¢), reefer ($2,72/miglio, -3¢) e flatbed ($3,04/miglio, -1¢).
La domanda per i flatbed ha mostrato particolare vigore, con circa il 30% dei carichi flatbed movimentati sul mercato spot, rispetto al 12-15% per van e reefer. Il responsabile dell'analisi di DAT osserva che l'incertezza tariffaria e la capacità più limitata hanno influenzato il mercato, mentre spedizionieri e broker mantengono il potere di determinare i prezzi.
DAT Freight & Analytics informa de una recuperación significativa en los volúmenes de carga spot para camiones en marzo de 2024, con aumentos notables en todos los tipos de equipo. El Índice de Volumen Truckload DAT (TVI) mostró: van subió un 5% (276), reefer un 1% (218) y flatbed un fuerte aumento del 13% (316) mes a mes.
A pesar del aumento en los volúmenes, las tarifas spot disminuyeron para vans ($1.99/milla, -5¢) y reefers ($2.27/milla, -9¢), mientras que las tarifas para flatbed aumentaron ($2.53/milla, +8¢). Las tarifas contractuales también bajaron en todas las categorías: van ($2.40/milla, -3¢), reefer ($2.72/milla, -3¢) y flatbed ($3.04/milla, -1¢).
La demanda de flatbed mostró especial fortaleza, con aproximadamente el 30% de las cargas flatbed moviéndose en el mercado spot, en comparación con el 12-15% para vans y reefers. El jefe de análisis de DAT señala que la incertidumbre tarifaria y la capacidad más ajustada influyeron en el mercado, mientras que los cargadores y corredores mantienen el poder de fijar precios.
DAT Freight & Analytics는 2024년 3월 스팟 트럭 적재 화물량이 크게 반등했으며, 모든 장비 유형에서 눈에 띄는 증가가 있었다고 보고했습니다. DAT 트럭적재량 지수(TVI)는 다음과 같은 수치를 보였습니다: 밴 5% 증가(276), 냉동차 1% 증가(218), 플랫베드 13% 급증(316) 전월 대비.
물량이 증가했음에도 불구하고, 스팟 운임은 밴($1.99/마일, -5¢)과 냉동차($2.27/마일, -9¢)에서 하락했고, 플랫베드 운임은 상승($2.53/마일, +8¢)했습니다. 계약 운임도 모든 카테고리에서 하락했습니다: 밴($2.40/마일, -3¢), 냉동차($2.72/마일, -3¢), 플랫베드($3.04/마일, -1¢).
플랫베드 수요가 특히 강세를 보였으며, 플랫베드 화물의 약 30%가 스팟 시장에서 거래된 반면, 밴과 냉동차는 12-15% 수준이었습니다. DAT 분석 책임자는 운임 불확실성과 제한된 용량이 시장에 영향을 미쳤으며, 화주와 중개업체가 가격 결정 권한을 유지하고 있다고 밝혔습니다.
DAT Freight & Analytics rapporte une reprise significative des volumes de fret spot en camion complet pour mars 2024, avec des augmentations notables sur tous les types d’équipements. L’Indice de Volume Truckload DAT (TVI) a montré : van en hausse de 5 % (276), reefer en hausse de 1 % (218) et flatbed en forte hausse de 13 % (316) d’un mois sur l’autre.
Malgré des volumes plus élevés, les tarifs spot ont diminué pour les vans (1,99 $/mile, -5¢) et les reefers (2,27 $/mile, -9¢), tandis que les tarifs flatbed ont augmenté (2,53 $/mile, +8¢). Les tarifs contractuels ont également baissé dans toutes les catégories : van (2,40 $/mile, -3¢), reefer (2,72 $/mile, -3¢) et flatbed (3,04 $/mile, -1¢).
La demande pour les flatbeds a montré une vigueur particulière, avec environ 30 % des chargements flatbed circulant sur le marché spot, contre 12-15 % pour les vans et reefers. Le responsable de l’analyse chez DAT note que l’incertitude tarifaire et une capacité plus restreinte ont influencé le marché, tandis que les expéditeurs et les courtiers conservent le pouvoir de fixer les prix.
DAT Freight & Analytics meldet eine deutliche Erholung der Spot-Lastwagenladungsvolumina im März 2024 mit bemerkenswerten Zuwächsen bei allen Ausrüstungstypen. Der DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI) zeigte: Van um 5 % gestiegen (276), Reefer um 1 % (218) und Flatbed mit einem starken Anstieg von 13 % (316) im Monatsvergleich.
Trotz höherer Volumina sanken die Spotpreise für Vans ($1,99/Meile, -5¢) und Reefer ($2,27/Meile, -9¢), während die Flatbed-Preise stiegen ($2,53/Meile, +8¢). Auch die Vertragsraten gingen in allen Kategorien zurück: Van ($2,40/Meile, -3¢), Reefer ($2,72/Meile, -3¢) und Flatbed ($3,04/Meile, -1¢).
Die Nachfrage nach Flatbeds zeigte besondere Stärke, wobei etwa 30 % der Flatbed-Ladungen auf dem Spotmarkt bewegt wurden, im Vergleich zu 12-15 % bei Vans und Reefers. Der Leiter der Analytik bei DAT weist darauf hin, dass Tarifunsicherheiten und eine engere Kapazität den Markt beeinflussten, während Verlader und Makler die Preisgestaltungsmacht behalten.
- Significant 13% increase in flatbed TVI, showing strong sector growth
- Year-over-year volume growth across all segments (Van +7%, Reefer +8%, Flatbed +11%)
- Flatbed spot rates increased by 8 cents per mile
- Spot rates declined for third straight month in van and reefer segments
- Contract rates decreased across all equipment types
- Widening gap between contract and spot rates indicates continued market weakness
Insights
DAT's March report reveals a significant 13% month-over-month surge in flatbed load volumes, alongside more modest increases in van (+5%) and reefer (+1%) segments. Year-over-year comparisons remain strong across all categories, with flatbed volumes up
The flatbed segment's pronounced growth is particularly noteworthy for Roper Technologies' DAT unit, as flatbeds represent approximately
Despite volume increases, pricing dynamics reveal persistent market imbalances. While flatbed rates increased
For Roper's DAT business, which generates revenue from marketplace transactions and data services, the volume increases are beneficial regardless of rate dynamics. The flatbed segment's strength, combined with DAT's analytics chief citing "tariff uncertainty" as a contributing factor, suggests potential market disruptions that could drive more shippers to DAT's spot marketplace if supply chains experience further volatility.
The DAT Truckload Volume Index (TVI), a measure of dry van, refrigerated (“reefer”), and flatbed loads moved in a month, increased for all three equipment types compared to February:
-
Van TVI: 276, up
5% month over month -
Reefer TVI: 218, up
1% -
Flatbed TVI: 316, up
13%
With more business days and better weather, March typically has higher truckload freight volumes than February. Year-over-year comparisons stayed positive, with the Van TVI up
Spot van, reefer rates decreased
Despite stronger volumes in March, average spot rates for van and reefer loads fell for the third straight month:
-
Van:
$1.99 5 cents from February -
Reefer:
$2.27 9 cents -
Flatbed:
$2.53 8 cents
The van linehaul rate averaged
Flatbed demand didn’t match March 2017 or 2018, but it was greater than carriers have been used to lately, explained Ken Adamo, DAT Chief of Analytics. “Tariff uncertainty was a factor but so was tighter capacity,” Adamo said. “Roughly
Contract pricing stayed consistent
Contract truckload rates declined for all three equipment types:
-
Contract Van:
$2.40 3 cents month over month and7 cents lower than March 2024 -
Contract Reefer:
$2.72 3 cents and12 cents lower year over year -
Contract Flatbed:
$3.04 1 cent and8 cents lower year over year
The difference between contract and spot rates for vans and reefers increased for the second month in a row.
“Compared to the spot market, contract pricing has been consistent for the last 12 to 15 months,” Adamo said. “That may change if tariffs and geopolitical issues disrupt supply chains and shippers turn to the spot market for available trucks. For now, though, shippers and brokers continue to hold on to pricing power.”
About the DAT Truckload Volume Index
The DAT Truckload Volume Index reflects the change in the number of loads with a pickup date during that month. A baseline of 100 equals the number of loads moved in January 2015, as recorded in DAT RateView, a database tracking rates paid on an average of 3 million loads per month.
DAT benchmark spot rates are derived from invoice data for hauls of 250 miles or more with a pickup date during the month reported. Linehaul rates exclude an amount equal to an average fuel surcharge.
About DAT Freight & Analytics
DAT Freight & Analytics operates DAT One, North America’s largest truckload freight marketplace; DAT iQ, the industry’s leading freight data analytics service; and Trucker Tools, the leader in load visibility. Shippers, transportation brokers, carriers, news organizations, and industry analysts rely on DAT for market trends and data insights, informed by nearly 700,000 daily load posts and a database exceeding
Founded in 1978, DAT is a business unit of Roper Technologies (Nasdaq: ROP), a constituent of the Nasdaq 100, S&P 500, and Fortune 1000. Headquartered in
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DAT Contact
Georgia Jablon
PR@dat.com / georgia.jablon@dat.com
Source: DAT Freight & Analytics
FAQ
What were the key changes in DAT's truckload volumes for March 2024?
How did spot rates change in March 2024 for different truck types?
What percentage of flatbed loads move on the spot market compared to vans and reefers?
How did contract rates perform in March 2024 compared to the previous year?
