FTR Shippers Condition Index Continues to Fall

Nashville, IN (April 13, 2011) FTR Associates’ Shippers’ Condition Index (SCI) as reported in the firm’s April Shippers Update continues to decline, reflecting tightening capacity in the trucking sector. The short term forecast for the SCI calls for continued deterioration from the current reading of -7.7 as the outlook for capacity shortages worsens. The SCI sums up all market influences that affect shippers; a reading above zero suggests a favorable shipping environment, while a reading below zero is unfavorable.

Larry Gross, Senior Consultant for FTR commented on the forecast for their Shippers Conditions Index “The SCI Index is moving into territory that we have not seen since 2004. Now that we are emerging from the slow winter season the dimensions of the effects of tightening capacity are beginning to come into focus. Shippers are being hit in two ways as both base rates are moving higher for all major modes and fuel surcharges are surging, the latter reflecting oil price hikes stemming from the worrying Mideast unrest and its potential effect on supply. While there might be some relief later in the year on fuel surcharges, we expect base rates to continue to increase.”

The April Shippers Update includes commentary on how fuel prices and the currently situation in Japan may impact the economic recovery. For more information about how to subscribe to the Shippers Update, send an e-mail to sales@ftrassociates.com or call 888-988-1699 ext. 1.

The Shippers Update, launched by FTR Associates during 2010 as a part of the firm’s Freight Focus Series, looks at conditions that will affect the cost and efficiency of shipping goods via all transportation modes. North American shippers will find in one reference the essential information they need on freight volumes, equipment capacity and transport costs and rates. The Shippers Update has both history and forecasts for four modal options: truckload, less-than-truckload, intermodal and rail carload. The analysis includes the breakdown of total truck and rail volumes into major commodity segments. It also provides historical snapshots of inland water and air freight markets. The freight data is augmented by an abundant collection of supporting data covering macro-economics and the fuel market.

FTR Associates, located in Nashville, IN has been a leader in transportation forecasting for over 20 years. The company’s U.S. Freight Model collects and analyzes all data likely to impact freight movement and is based on specific characteristics for over 200 commodity groups. FTR Associates’ forecast reports cover trucking and rail transportation and include demand analysis for commercial vehicle as well as railcar. Specially designed reports are offered to participants in both industries to cover specific needs. For more information about the work of FTR Associates, visit www.ftrassociates.com or call Helen Lile at 888-988-1699 Ext. 45.