FTR Shippers Conditions Index Steadies in March

Nashville, IN (May 14, 2012) FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for March did not show much change from the previous month. The index currently stands at -5.3, representing a moderately unfavorable condition that is expected to persist until the onset of the busy fall shipping season. At that point, capacity will begin to tighten further resulting in deterioration in the shipping environment. By the end of the year and into 2013, shippers can expect further fall off in their position with carriers as their options become more limited and costs increase due to new hours of service regulation implementation and the accompanying reduction in available capacity. 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. Details of the current factors affecting the March Shippers Conditions Index are found in the May issue of FTR’s Shippers Update published May 9.

Larry Gross, Senior Consultant for FTR, commented, “After a steep drop in February the SCI stabilized in March as conditions in the trucking industry steadied. February demand was unusually strong but it appears that some of that volume was simply freight moving earlier this year due to the mild winter weather. The seasonal jump from February to March was not as strong as usual this year.”

The May Shippers Update includes discussion on how the situation in China affects the U.S. economy. 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.