FTR Associates on Wednesday, Aug. 15, announced that its Shippers Conditions Index for June basically was unchanged from the previous month and remains in near-neutral territory at a reading of -1.8. 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.

FTR said the current reading reflects the inability of carriers to increase rates in what is turning out to be a disappointing economic recovery, so shippers are holding their own right now. However, the index is expected to fall in early 2013 when regulations affecting trucking fleet productivity will reduce available shipping capacity and put a strain on shippers’ ability to find fleets willing to haul their freight at rates that are advantageous to them.

“The freight markets are currently in a state of fragile equilibrium, which we expect to persist in some form through the peak shipping season,” said Larry Gross, FTR senior consultant. “Weak economic growth is leading to very slow growth in freight demand. This is being countered by strong discipline by carriers, resulting in an environment where rates are rising quite slowly and capacity remains generally available.”