JOC Staff | Dec 19, 2012 6:15PM EST
Nashville, Ind.-based transportation forecaster FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index for October was -5.0, improving nearly two points from September.
FTR predicts that the current improvement will yield to a gradual deterioration in shipping conditions as 2012 ends and throughout 2013.
FTR also has been forecasting that new trucking regulations and slowly rising freight volumes will cause a tightening of capacity, resulting in higher rates for shippers.
The most likely outcome will be a difficult scenario for shippers in 2013, said Larry Gross, senior consultant for FTR.