ABF Freight Hikes LTL Truck Rates 6.9 Percent

Trucking company ABF Freight System will raise general less-than-truckload rates 6.9 percent July 25, the company said Wednesday.

The carrier is following UPS Freight, which last week said it would raise non-contract rates 6.9 percent Aug. 1.

Analysts Expect More LTL Rate Hikes

Transportation analysts expect other carriers to follow UPS and ABF, the fourth- and fifth-largest LTL carriers ranked by revenue, according to SJ Consulting Group.

An increase in general rates only affects non-contract freight, typically a minority of LTL cargo. However, they set the floor for pricing in contract negotiations.

--Contact William B. Cassidy at wcassidy@joc.com. Follow him on Twitter at @wbcassidy_joc