Fuel Updates

Fuel is at $3.754 for the week, which is up from $3.749 the previous week.

As Q3 closes, capacity is tightening and spot rates are rising, though not enough to significantly shift the market. The upcoming Christmas tree season is expected to create a short-term surge in demand across all modes.

Reefer Freight:

• Spot rates are sitting at $2.44.
• Load post volumes are up by 4%, marking a 44% increase year-over-year.
• Expect limited capacity in Idaho, Washington, and Michigan.
• We are seeing a shortage of trucks in the Yakima Valley in the Pacific Northwest, which is pushing spot rates upwards of $2.86/mile in that area.

Van Freight:

• Spot rates are sitting at $2.05, which is higher than the same time last year.
• Container import volume is down; however, there has been a notable shift of inbound volume toward North American ports (Mexico and Canada).
• Load posts continue to increase, pushing volumes almost 40% higher than this same time last year.

Flatbed Freight:

• Spot rates are sitting at $2.50, which is $0.11 higher than last year and $0.16 higher than in 2023.
• Load post volume is up, and carrier posts are down.
• The load-to-truck ratio is holding steady.
• Lumber prices are sliding, which could lead to substantial reduction in truckload (approx. 10k+ less loads).

We hope you have a fantastic week! If you need any assistance or have any questions, please reach out to your RIM Representative or to our Domestic Team at RIMDomestic@rimlogistics.com.