SONAR announces release of updated and new indices and other enhancements

The SONAR Weighted Rejection Index (SWRI) measures weekly changes in tender rejection rates, weighted by market share, helping you quickly identify where capacity is tightening or loosening in the markets that matter most.

• Now available by mode: Van (SWRIV) and Reefer (SWRIR)
• Built on updated SONAR tender data for improved market representation
• More targeted and actionable than the legacy WRI

Why it matters

• Prioritize rejection rate changes based on market size, not just volatility
• Quickly identify where capacity shifts will have the greatest impact
• Compare markets side by side to focus pricing and coverage decisions

SWRI helps you cut through the noise and act faster by showing where market changes actually matter most.

By scaling outbound versus inbound activity against total market volume, LBI provides a clearer, more strategic view of directional pressure and helps quickly identify where pricing power or coverage risk may be building:

• Positive LBI indicates headhaul conditions where outbound demand exceeds inbound freight, often signaling tightening capacity and stronger rate leverage.
• Negative LBI indicates backhaul conditions where inbound volumes outweigh outbound freight, typically creating softer pricing environments.

The Load Balance Index adds a sharper layer of network intelligence helping you move beyond volume tracking and into actionable market positioning. It is currently available in the below granularities:

• LBI – Load balance Index
• VLBI – Van Load balance Index
• RLBI – Reefer Load balance Index
• FLBI – Flatbed Load balance Index
• CLBI – City Load balance Index
• SLBI – Shorthaul Load balance Index
• MLBI – Midhaul Load balance Index
• TLBI – Tweener Load balance Index
• LLBI – Longhaul Load balance Index
• IMLBI – Intermodal Load balance Index

• ATMS – Average Tender Market Share
• VATMS – Van Average Tender Market Share
• RATMS – Reefer Average Tender Market Share
• CATMS – City Average Tender Market Share
• SATMS – Shorthaul Average Tender Market Share
• MATMS – Midhaul Average Tender Market Share
• TATMS – Tweener Average Tender Market Share
• LATMS – Longhaul Average Tender Market Share
• IMATMS – Intermodal Average Tender Market Share

Average Tender Market Share measures how much of the total network’s tender activity is concentrated within a specific market. This helps you move beyond volume tracking and highlights meaningful directional movement, making it easier to:

• Identify markets gaining or losing share
• Detect regional demand shifts before they impact rates
• Uncover structural changes in freight distribution.

By tracking the spread between these two rates, TLIMS makes it easier to identify when intermodal becomes a more cost-effective option compared to truckload, helping shippers evaluate modal conversion opportunities, brokers adjust pricing strategies, and carriers monitor shifts in competitive dynamics.

This new dataset provides a clear signal of modal cost competitiveness, allowing SONAR users to quickly gauge how changing market conditions may influence freight routing and transportation strategy.

Calculated as Diesel Truck Stop Price (DTS) ÷ 7 MPG, this dataset eliminates the manual work of translating per-gallon prices into operational costs.

With MPG, you can:

• Quickly quantify fuel’s impact on carrier operating costs
• Track cost pressure on carriers as diesel prices fluctuate
• Better understand freight rate movements tied to fuel volatility
• Monitor transportation cost inflation at the national and market level

This dataset is relevant for carriers, brokers, shippers, market analysts, and financial teams.

Previously, the TEU Booking Index displayed activity at fixed intervals of 0, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days relative to departure or arrival dates. With this update, the metric now extends visibility into the future up to 28 days, allowing users to better track how booking volumes are developing ahead of vessel movements.

This improvement provides earlier signals of shifts in ocean demand, helping users anticipate capacity pressure, demand surges, or softening volumes before they materialize in the market.

Together, these enhancements offer a more powerful and intuitive way to visualize market dynamics, identify opportunities, and plan with confidence.

To learn more visit our Knowledge Center or contact customer success at [email protected].