Spot market freight volumes reported by the DAT North American Freight Index declined 16 percent compared to the record April high in 2012. The year-over-year freight declines were seen across all equipment types: van load volume declined 20 percent, refrigerated ("reefer") loads slipped 10 percent and flatbed freight dropped 15 percent.

At a time of year when a month-over-month increase in spot market freight volume is expected, the DAT Freight Index declined by 5.8 percent. Although atypical, freight volumes are reminiscent of those experienced in April of 2011. Unusually inclement weather, including floods in the upper Midwest, may have been a factor. Freight availability declined 14 percent for vans and 17 percent for reefers, but rose 6.6 for flatbeds, compared to March.

Compared to April 2012, spot market rates declined along with demand for vans and flatbeds, but reefer rates saw an increase. Van rates slipped 0.8 percent and flatbeds dropped 5.3 percent, while reefer rates rose 2.0 percent.

Despite the softness in spot market freight volumes, rates rose in April across all equipment types, compared to March. Van rates rose 0.8 percent, flatbed rates increased 4.5 percent and reefer rates climbed 5.5 percent.