FTR reports that its Shippers Conditions Index (SCI) for August continued to gradually improve to the best reading since September 2020 at -6.8, slightly better than the -8.1 July index. 
 
A minor loosening of capacity utilization and marginally lower fuel costs contributed to the improvement in the August SCI measure. Market conditions for shippers are technically getting better, but the relief is so incremental as to be of little value. 
 
“Conditions in August continued to head in the right direction, though not enough to provide relief for shippers,” Todd Tranausky, vice president of rail and intermodal at FTR, said. “This is, however, as good as it will get for 2021. Shippers conditions are likely to degrade as the year wears on and demands for holiday shipping ramp up. Fuel, in particular, is expected to be a significant headwind as prices have increased dramatically heading into the winter season.”