FTR Associates’ Shippers Conditions Index for January fell an additional two points from December 2012 to a reading of negative 7.1, reflecting deteriorating conditions for shippers in early 2013.
The SCI is forecast to continue a downward trend as the year progresses, reaching negative double-digit levels by the end of the year. This indicates “very difficult conditions” for shippers, as transport costs will increase, according to the report.
“Our forecast for deteriorating conditions for shippers is based primarily on two assumptions: that the economy will continue to grow slowly and that there will be no further delay in the implementation of the revised hours-of-service rules in July of this year,” said Lawrence Gross, senior consultant for FTR, in a written statement.
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