JOC Staff | Dec 18, 2012 6:26PM EST
The American Trucking Associations today reported that its seasonally adjusted For-Hire Truck Tonnage Index increased 3.7 percent in November, following October’s 3.7 percent drop. It was the first monthly gain since July.
As a result, the index was 118.0 in November, versus 113.8 in October. Compared with November 2011, the index was up 1 percent.
Year-to-date, tonnage was up 2.8 percent from the same period last year.
Hurricane Sandy had an impact on both October and November tonnage readings, said Bob Costello, ATA chief economist, in a written statement. He expects a boost to flatbed tonnage from the rebuilding in the areas affected by Sandy, but not until the spring.
Costello also predicted a slowdown in tonnage if the fiscal cliff is not fixed in time.