FTR Shippers Conditions Index unchanged

FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for April was basically unchanged from the previous month with a moderately negative reading of -5.4.

FTR says the index is expected to remain in a tight range throughout the summer, potentially deteriorating marginally in the latter part of the year. The real negative impact to shippers will begin to occur in 2013 as new hours of service rules are expected to put a significant drain on trucking capacity, FTR says.

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.

“The current lackluster performance of the economy has had a silver lining for shippers as slow growth in truck freight demand has not caused capacity to tighten to a great extent, keeping a lid on rates,” says Larry Gross, FTR senior consultant. “The moment of truth has been delayed but not avoided. We still expect shipping conditions to deteriorate as we move into 2013 unless external events such as the European debt crisis send the economy back into a tailspin — an event that is possible but not considered likely as of this point.”

FTR says the June Shippers Update also includes commentary explaining why the driver shortage has not materialized as forecasted.