A noticeable split has opened in the spot market, with refrigerated freight posting stronger gains and dry van showing improvement in pockets, while flatbed remains stubbornly underwhelming. Analysts say the pattern is consistent with early tightening: the most time-sensitive freight moves first, then everything else tries to pretend it meant to do that.
Market watchers point to seasonal dynamics and lane-level capacity shifts. “This is what it looks like when demand improves unevenly,” one analyst said. “It doesn’t lift all equipment types at once.” Some say reefers are benefiting from a combination of time-critical freight and carriers repositioning away from weaker segments, which can tighten availability fast.
Reefer carriers say the improvement is real, but not universal. “You can find strong rates,” one small fleet manager said. “You can also find the exact opposite two exits later.” Another said the market feels like it’s rewarding the right truck in the right place, and punishing everyone else for being human.
Dry van operators are cautiously interested. “It’s better in some lanes,” one dispatcher said. “But ‘better’ is doing a lot of work in that sentence.” Several carriers said van freight is improving in bursts rather than a steady climb.
Flatbed carriers, meanwhile, sound like people watching a party from the parking lot. “I’m happy for reefer guys,” one flatbed owner-operator said. “I’m also happy for lottery winners. Doesn’t change my Tuesday.” Another added that flatbed tends to lag in recoveries and lead in explanations afterward.
Shippers describe the situation as manageable but worth monitoring. “When reefers tighten, everything tightens eventually,” one shipping manager said. “The question is timing.” Drivers interpret that as a reminder to keep their logbook clean and their expectations dirty.
The twist, according to carriers, is that “the market changing” doesn’t always mean “the market improving.” Sometimes it just means the winners rotated. Reefers may be up, vans may be perking up, and flatbeds may still be waiting for their turn to be discussed sympathetically by people who don’t have a tarping bill.
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