Broker to carrier spot rates rose across every major equipment type for the week of September 13 through 19, according to DAT Freight and Analytics. Van rates climbed 4 cents to $2.96 per mile, reefer rates rose 9 cents to $3.59 per mile, and flatbed rates increased 6 cents to $3.55 per mile, with diesel accounting for most of the weekly gain on van and flatbed freight.

Freight activity picked up as shipping returned to a normal pace following Labor Day. DAT One load posts totaled 2.9 million for the week, up 16% from the prior week, while equipment posts rose 8% to 175,593 as more carriers returned to the road.

Reefer freight is tracking the fall harvest season, with load posts running 48% above year ago levels, the largest annual gain among the three equipment types. Flatbed load posts jumped 25% on the week, the highest total in two months, pushing the flatbed load to truck ratio to 40.5, the tightest reading across all three segments.

Spot rates remain well above last year across the board. Van linehaul rates are running 33% higher than a year ago, reefer rates are up 38%, and flatbed rates are up 29%. Equipment posts remain far below year ago levels for every category, a sign that capacity stays tight heading into the fourth quarter.

Source: The Trucker - https://www.thetrucker.com/trucking-news/business/dat-reefer-spot-rate-climbs-9-cents-to-3-59-as-diesel-jumps-37-cents