US trucking tonnage drops in February but up from January

Tire Business staff report

Washington - US truck tonnage fell 9.2 percent in February from February 2008, but it rose 1.7 percent from January, according to the latest data from the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

The rise from January was the second straight monthly increase, but ATA chief economist Bob Costello cautioned not to read too much into the monthly improvement.

“Tonnage will not fall every month on a seasonally adjusted basis, and just because it rose again in February doesn't mean the economy is on the mend,” he said.

“Tonnage plunged again on a year-over-year basis, which highlights the current weakness in the freight environment,” he said. That drop reflects the difficult economic environment.

Mr. Costello predicted that a sustained recovery in tonnage shipped is likely months away.

The ATA calculates the tonnage each month based on reports by its member trucking companies.

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Staff report from Tire Business