SONAR sightings for Dec. 10: LA to Atlanta, spotlight on Savannah, more

Brokers: It is likely that outbound tender rejections will continue to rise as the Headhaul Index surges 30% w/w. With a 31% increase year-over-year (y/y) in weekly inbound international containers moving into Memphis via rail, this surge in outbound volumes is likely to continue, and could even last through the remainder of 2021. With outbound tender volumes up 33% w/w, outbound tender rejections are very likely to move higher in the coming days and weeks. 

Carriers: Stay firm on your rates as outbound tender rejections are likely to increase in the coming days, and that should shift pricing power into your favor. With inbound international volumes seeing significant growth into Memphis, outbound volumes are likely to continue growing through the remainder of the year. Keep an eye on outbound tender rejections and use this index to confirm tightening conditions are indeed driving pressure on rates upward or downward.

Shippers: Your shipper cohorts in Memphis are still averaging 2.6 days in tender lead times. The Headhaul Index in Memphis is up 30% w/w, and outbound tender rejections are likely to continue increasing in the coming days. It would be wise to keep your tender lead times between 3 and 4 days through the next couple of weeks to ensure you are able to secure capacity in the market.

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Spotlight on … Savannah, Georgia

By Richard Daigle, SONAR account executive

Dry van capacity is tight but loosening: 

Import volumes are still high but are beginning to show signs of easing, though it is too early to know if this will become a trend.

Spot rates for dry van from Savannah to Columbus, Ohio, are still high, at over $3.00 per mile (including fuel), but there is some downward pressure on spot rates as capacity is easing. 

Shippers: Push out your lead times if possible. While rates are high at the moment, there is some downward pressure as capacity is loosening. 

Brokers: Capacity may be more available now, than just a few days ago, despite overall conditions being tight and rates being high. This is a lane and market to watch closely over the coming days as there could be more opportunities should capacity continue to ease. 

Carriers: Savannah is still a tight market with a lot of demand for trucks with dry van trailers, but capacity is starting to ease. Look to capitalize on the tight market conditions while they last. 

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Watch: Shipper Update

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Lane to watch: Los Angeles to Atlanta

Overview: Domestic intermodal volume rises and intermodal spot rates fall, suggesting improved intermodal network fluidity.

Highlights:

• The door-to-door intermodal spot rate declined 32% in the past week in the LA to Atlanta lane to $2.82/mile, including fuel surcharges.
• Using the SONAR Market Dashboard tool, the average dry van spot rate is $3.75/mile, including fuel surcharges. 
• The average loaded domestic intermodal volume in the lane in the past week was 362 containers/day, the highest level since about one year ago.  

What does this mean for you?

Brokers: Lower your bids to reflect the falling tender rejection rates in the lane and also for outbound LA and inbound Atlanta loads. For brokers able to source containers, the latest changes in intermodal spot rates suggest that you can reduce purchased transportation costs by using rail intermodal. If going that route, be sure to give shippers a heads-up that transit times will be extended relative to truckload. 

Carriers: Because intermodal network fluidity has improved and intermodal spot rates have declined, shippers that are using the highway in the lane are more likely to be moving loads that are highly time-sensitive, so be sure to get compensated accordingly. Based on recent changes to the Atlanta Van Headhaul Index (rising from -25 to +32 in the past two weeks), it should be easier for carriers to get reloaded in Atlanta.  

Shippers: The sharp decline in intermodal spot rates in the past week is meaningful for spot shippers seeking to move loads that are less time-sensitive because door-to-door intermodal spot rates are now meaningfully below dry van spot rates. For shippers moving more time-sensitive loads on the highway, it should be easier to keep loads out of the spot market given the recent decline in the tender rejection rate in the lane from the mid-20s to 17%. 

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Watch: Carrier Update

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Lane to watch: Atlanta to Lakeland, Florida

Overview: Rejection rates top 20% into Lakeland.

Highlights:

• Atlanta’s outbound tender rejection rates have moved horizontally since Thanksgiving, hovering around 17%.  
• Rejection rates into the Lakeland market were more sensitive to the tightening that occurred out of Atlanta after Thanksgiving and continue to move at a much higher level than the market average. 
• Lakeland’s outbound rejection rate had a hiccup around Thanksgiving but has since recovered to sub-10% levels, among the lowest in the U.S.  

What does this mean for you?

Brokers: Hold the line on rates in this lane. Spot rates have declined this week, but this lane is still going to be difficult to cover as Florida has largely returned to being the consummate backhaul market for carriers. If you get a carrier to cover a load for less than $4 per mile, take it.    

Carriers: Plan your next loads carefully in this lane. Make sure your rate covers any deadhead or dwell time potential. The spot market will not be able to bail you out if you get stuck too far down the I-75 corridor.   

Shippers: Consider a rate increase in this lane if you have had less than 80% compliance over the past two months. Atlanta has been easing, but this could be the result of higher rates, especially in lanes that are as unbalanced as this one. This lane will remain a challenge even if the market eases.  

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Focus on … Inbound Tender Rejection Index

SONAR’s Inbound Tender Rejection Index (ITRI) weekly change map shows carriers are rejecting more loads into some of the more traditional backhaul or oversupplied markets in the Pacific Northwest and Florida compared to last week.

Although it is not unusual to see carriers avoid these areas in general, this action has increased over the last week, which could have an impact on spot market prices into these areas.

ITRI is a measure of carrier compliance based on the destination market. Higher rejection rates tend to correlate with increasing prices.