Canadian Truck Rates, Surcharges Rising

(Journal of Commerce Online – William B. Cassidy)

Freight index shows Canadian shippers paying more to move freight

Truck rates paid by Canadian shippers increased in February, rising from a 1.6% drop in January, according to the Canadian General Freight Index. The increase in the index supports claims that transportation costs in North America are starting to rise as economic recovery gains traction both in Canada and the United States.

Overall, the cost of ground transportation rose about 1.6%, the CGFI said. Base truck rates in Canada rose 2.1% in February, excluding surcharges, the pricing index found, while fuel surcharges rose 1.6% from January. That put rates at essentially the same level as the last quarter of 2009, according to the index. Read more here.