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May 16, 2012 12:43 PM

FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for March showed little change from the previous month. The index currently stands at -5.3, representing a moderately unfavorable condition that is expected to persist until the onset of the busy fall shipping season.  

As 2012 winds down, capacity will begin to tighten further resulting in deterioration in the shipping environment. By the end of the year and into 2013, shippers can expect further fall off in their position with carriers as their options become more limited and costs increase due to new hours of service regulation implementation and the accompanying reduction in available capacity.  

Larry Gross, senior consultant for FTR, says: “After a steep drop in February the SCI stabilized in March as conditions in the trucking industry steadied. February demand was unusually strong but it appears that some of that volume was simply freight moving earlier this year due to the mild winter weather. The seasonal jump from February to March was not as strong as usual this year.”

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. Details of the current factors affecting the March Shippers Conditions Index are found in the May issue of FTR’s Shippers Update published May 9.    

The May Shippers Update includes discussion on how the situation in China affects the U.S. economy. For more information about how to subscribe to the Shippers Update, send an e-mail to sales@ftrassociates.com or call 888-988-1699 ext 1.