Flatbed

Despite negative trends being felt in some parts of the US manufacturing landscape, it’s not all bad news for trucking because other sectors are poised to have volumes at or above 2022 levels, writes analyst Jason Miller.

Demand for flatbed tractor-trailers is rising along the Gulf Coast and Southeast, buoyed by project cargo, shifting freight patterns, and a warmer-than-normal winter, DAT Freight & Analytics says.

Demand for flatbed trucks on DAT Freight & Analytics’ spot load boards is at a seven-year low for January, creating excess capacity that is keeping pressure on rates. 

Digital brokerage Loadsmart and Home Depot are launching an automated, supply-led flatbed booking platform that will help the retailer “share” its dedicated truck capacity with other shippers.

An infusion of trucks and tractors from bankrupt NEMF would help Estes stretch its service offerings further beyond LTL and deeper into flatbed and dedicated truckload markets.

A confluence of factors has created very strong demand for flatbed trucks in the United States, resulting in the longest waiting lists in recent history — shippers are advised to remain patient.

Weak demand for energy and steel products sapped loads from the flatbed trailers operated by Universal Truckload Services in the fourth quarter, pulling transportation revenue down 9.1 percent to $177.5 million, the trucking and logistics company said Thursday.

Lower fuel prices are putting more trucks on the road, helping to keep a cap on spot market truck rates, DAT Solutions said. Van rates dropped in the last week, while refrigerated and flatbed rates remained the same.

A flatbed and specialized freight carrier and two auto transport companies were the fastest-growing businesses on a list of the 50 largest U.S. trucking firms last year. Most companies on the list grew faster as the U.S. economy accelerated in 2014.