Tonnage increased a seasonally-adjusted 1.6% in November, according to the American Trucking Assns.' (ATA) unrevised Truck Tonnage Index. This rebound more than makes up for a revised 0.1% dip that ATA reported in October.
November's gain was the largest month-to-month increase since April of this year and put the tonnage index at its highest level since June," said ATA chief economist Bob Costello. "This increase placed the truck tonnage index at its third-highest level ever, behind April and June of this year, and was the best November increase since 1994. We continue to remain optimistic about the truck freight demand situation going into 2005."
In terms of holiday freight, last-minute deliveries to retailers make up a small proportion of tonnage, explained Costello.
"The holiday freight season really starts in August," Costello said. "While there may be deliveries of final goods to retail outlets in November, a lot of it has already gone through the supply chain in prior months."