Market conditions for shippers remain near an all-time worst, FTR reported in its monthly Shippers Conditions Index, with the outlook for shippers remaining gloomy through the end of next year, FTR says. Freight volume, tight truck and rail capacity and climbing rates have suppressed market conditions for shippers.
âShippers are in an extended period of difficult conditions because of a tight truck market and sub-par rail service,â says FTR senior analyst Todd Tranausky. âWhile conditions are expected to stabilize, there is unlikely to be a significant improvement for shippers before the end of the year.â
FTRâs Shippers Conditions Index is a measure of freight demand, freight rates, fleet capacity and fuel pricing. It generally is an inverse measure of market conditions for carriers, whoâve seen record-positive conditions due to capacity constraints and record-high rates.
