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The number of trucks idled because of truck fleet bankruptcies rose 28% in the fourth quarter, driven by weakening used-truck prices, lower freight demand and higher costs, according to a new report.

The Teamsters union and ABF Freight System held negotiations in Kansas City, Mo., this week, and talks will continue into next week to reach a labor agreement between the two parties, the union said.

December freight volumes grew modestly, according to the latest monthly freight index report from Cass Information Systems.

Truck tonnage probably will grow at a slower pace in 2013, but a stronger economic recovery could boost the industry in 2014 and 2015, according to the latest projections from American Trucking Associations.

Freight levels appear to have strengthened during November, showing improvement after Superstorm Sandy temporarily depressed shipment volumes, according to recent carrier and analyst reports.

Shipments measured by the Cass Freight Index declined 1.1% in August from the same month last year and from July 2012, reflecting the steadily weakening economic pace.

The freight transportation industry will grow “significantly” in the next decade, and trucking will increase its share of the market, American Trucking Associations said in a report released last week.