Trucking conditions deteriorated in September with fuel's spike

Market conditions for trucking companies deteriorated modestly in September from August, largely due to record fuel costs and stagnating freight rates, according to FTR’s latest Trucking Conditions Index (TCI).

In September, FTR’s TCI declined to 8.13 from August’s 11.5 reading. However, FTR’s revised forecast calls for more favorable conditions for carriers over at least the next three quarters than in the prior outlook.

“Multiple signs point to a truck freight market that probably will be considerably stronger over the next few quarters than we had previously forecast,” said Avery Vise, FTR’s vice president of trucking. “Slow employment growth in trucking despite strong freight rates suggests head winds for adding drivers, including various enforcement initiatives. An increase in our freight volume forecast puts further upward pressure on capacity utilization.”

A truck driver is being charged by the U.S. government for allegedly trafficking cocaine after being caught in Michigan attempting to transport 93 kilograms of the drug from the U.S. into Canada.

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