For week 8 in the spot market, all four of the key market indicators increased, according to the weekly report from truckstop.com and FTR Transportation Intelligence. The overall Market Demand Index (MDI) rose by 6.2 points to 151.1 as load availability increased 6% and truck availability rose 1.7%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 65.8 points, or 77.1%. Last week, market rates rose 2.2% to $2.63. Compared to last year, rates are up 14.9%. National fuel prices edged up $0.08 cents to $3.80 from $3.72 per gallon in the previous week.

Overall broker-posted spot rates in the Truckstop.com system rose notably during the week ended February 27 (week 8) as rates for both flatbed and dry van equipment moved higher and refrigerated rates posted their smallest decrease since the 45-cent spike in week 4. Spot rates for all three principal segments were quite strong versus the same week last year. The latest week included some strength linked to a winter storm in the Northeast, but weather will become an increasingly insignificant factor.

Van

For the Dry Van market, all of the key market indicators increased in the latest week. The Van MDI increased 2.1 points to 200.1 as load availability rose 1.7% and truck availability rose 0.6%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 94.6 points, or 89.6%. Last week, Van rates increased 0.4% to $2.31. Compared to last year, rates are up 19.2%.

Reefer

For the Refrigerated market, three of the four key market indicators increased in the latest week. The Refrigerated MDI increased 2.7 points to 228.2 as load availability rose 6.1% and truck availability increased 4.9%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 103.9 points, or 83.6%. Last week, Refrigerated rates fell 1.3% to $2.71. Compared to last year, rates are up 23.5%.

Flat

For the Flatbed market, each of the four key market indicators increased in the latest week. The Flatbed MDI rose 14.3 points to 247.3 as load availability increased 6.9% and truck availability rose 0.8%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 125.9 points, or 103.7%. Last week, Flatbed rates increased 2.7% to $2.66. Compared to last year, rates are up 13.6%.

Specialized

For the Specialized market, 4 of the 4 key market indicators increased in the latest week. The Specialized MDI increased 2.3 points to 29.8 as load availability moved higher by 11.1% and truck availability rose 2.7%. Compared to last year the MDI is up 6.5 points, or 27.9%. Last week, Specialized rates rose 1.9% to $2.76. Compared to last year, rates are up 10.2%.