BNN looks at recent trends in Canada’s goods transportation sector with Doug Payne, President & COO of Nulogx, which compiles the Canadian General Freight Index. View Interview Here

The CGFI Total Freight Cost Index decreased by .8% in October compared to September, while the Base Rate Index, which excludes the impact of Fuel Surcharges assessed by carriers, decreased .92%.  The CGFI is still 7.5% above the April low point and 5.3% above last year’s result for the same period.

Notably, average Fuel Surcharges increased by 6% to 13.77% of Base Rates when compared to September results.  Fuel surcharges increased for the first time in 5 months, and are beginning to reflect the higher cost of diesel fuel for trucking companies.

“We are just starting to see the impact that higher fuel prices will have on shippers and trucking companies, and we expect to monitor this trend through the winter months” comments Doug Payne, President & COO of Nulogx.  “As for the slight decline in Base Rates, this is not unexpected given the consecutive monthly increases we have seen since last April,” adds Payne.

For full details on the CGFI please visit: www.cgfi.ca

The CGFI Total Freight Cost Index increased by .4% in September compared to August, while the Base Rate Index, which excludes the impact of Fuel Surcharges assessed  by carriers, also increased by .7%.  Average Fuel Surcharges remained essentially unchanged at 13% for the month.  This is the fifth consecutive monthly increase since the index reached a low point in April 2010.

“Prior increases in overall freight costs for Canadian shippers were primarily driven by the Domestic Truckload sector, however we are now seeing increases in Transborder LTL costs which is contributing to this trend” comments Doug Payne, President Nulogx.

According to Jason Granger, Equity Analyst, BMO Capital Markets, “This is consistent with what we have seen in previous cycles. Truckload pricing appears to be leading LTL pricing in the recovery as Truckload capacity is quicker to exit the system. However, as the pace of the economic recovery cools, supply pressure, as opposed to demand growth, could arguably be a more significant near-term catalyst for further improvements in industry pricing. Driver shortages, equipment shortages and business failures could all contribute to tighter supply conditions.”

For full details on the CGFI, a transportation index, please visit: www.cgfi.ca

Overall Freight Costs increased by 1.5% in August compared to July, while Base Rates which exclude the impact of Fuel Surcharges assessed by carriers also increased by 1.7%. Average Fuel Surcharges remain unchanged after decreases in June and July.  This is the fourth consecutive monthly increase since the index reached a low point in April 2010.

“Increases in overall freight costs for Canadian shippers continue to be driven by the Domestic Truckload sector,” comments Doug Payne, President Nulogx.  “While Truckload is leading the way, we also now see a strengthening of the LTL and Transborder rates,” adds Payne.

The CGFI is sponsored by Nulogx, a leading Transportation Management Solutions provider, and is used by shippers and carriers to benchmark performance, develop business plans, and secure competitive agreements. It was developed with the assistance of Dr. Alan Saipe. The most recent results are available at the CGFI website: www.cgfi.ca.

Click Here to view key takeaways from Desjardin Trucking Industry Outlook featuring Nulogx and and the CGFI Report

Overall Freight Costs increased by 3% in July when compared to June. Base Rates, which exclude the impact of Fuel Surcharges assessed by carriers, also increased by 3.2% while Average Fuel Surcharges decreased slightly 13.42% of Base Rates to 13.13% during the same period.

“The information provided by the CGFI continues to indicate that we reached a floor in transportation costs for Canadian Shippers in April of this year, says Doug Payne, President of Nulogx.  Since then we have seen 3 consecutive months of increases, led primarily by activity in both the Domestic and Transborder Truckload sectors”.

Click here to view July’s results.

Click Here to see Video

Overall Freight Costs increased by 3% in May when compared to April. Base Rates, which exclude the impact of Fuel Surcharges assessed by carriers, also increased by 2.7% with Average Fuel Surcharges increasing by 2.9% from the prior month.

“Akin to April’s results, we are seeing increases in the truckload sector which is likely more sensitive to changes in capacity demand,” says Dr. Alan Saipe, President, Supply Chain Surveys Inc.  “This could be an indication of what may come in the future for LTL rates.”

“With the continuous volatility in the rates, those in the transportation industry will need to be careful when planning ahead for 2011 and must consider all effecting factors before doing so.” Doug Payne, President of Nulogx.

Join Nulogx and SCL at our upcoming Breakfast Seminar September 14^th to hear Dr. Alan Siape and other experts share their opinions on expected changes in transportation rates in the coming months.

Industry experts will discuss timely and valuable information for shippers, carriers and supply chain practitioners challenged with creating business plans for 2011 in these uncertain times. Join us to gain insight on the economy and its effect on the transportation industry and to learn how both shippers and carriers are planning for 2011 and steps you can take to prepare your company for these changes.

For more information on this exciting event click here

Click here to register today!