Weather Updates:

• ‌Freeze protection services are currently active in Northern Canada. Shipments containing temperature‑sensitive freight should have a freeze protection service added. Please note that this service may incur additional charges and could impact transit times‌.

‌Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance’s (CVSA) Roadcheck 2026:

• The CVSA International Roadcheck is scheduled for May 12–14, 2026, and will take place across Canada, Mexico and the United States at weigh stations, temporary inspection sites and via mobile patrols. For 2026, inspectors will place special emphasis on electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, falsification or manipulation to ensure hours-of-service compliance, along with cargo securement, focusing on the proper use and condition of tie-downs, chains and load containment. The initiative aims to improve roadway safety by deterring logbook violations that can lead to driver fatigue and by reducing crashes and hazards caused by shifting or unsecured loads. Additional CVSA safety weeks later in 2026 will be Safe Driver Week (July 12-18) and Brake Safety Week (August 12-18).

‌Small Parcel Updates:

• ‌USPS Surcharge LIVE: The USPS temporary 8% parcel price increase on Priority Mail, Priority Mail Express, USPS Ground Advantage, and Parcel Select, began this past Sunday, April 26, 2026, and goes through January 17, 2027.

LTL Updates:

• ‌Diesel Rates: National diesel prices decreased, down $0.052 from last week, averaging $5.351 per gallon, $1.837 higher than the same time last year, and $1.404 higher than two years ago. California saw the largest decrease, down $0.097 to $7.228 per gallon.
• ‌Saia Expands: Saia opened a new 74-door LTL terminal in York, PA, expanding capacity and improving transit times across central PA and the broader Northeast. The strategically located facility strengthens Saia’s Mid-Atlantic connectivity and supports continued regional growth while enhancing service reliability for customers.

TL Updates:

• ‌Outbound Tender Rejection Index (OTRI): OTRI declined this week, falling to 13.19 from 13.66 the week prior, indicating a modest easing in truckload capacity. The decrease was driven by softer conditions in the van and refrigerated segments, while flatbed rates remained stable. Overall, the data points to a continuing market rebalancing, with early signs of stabilization following recent volatility and improving capacity alignment across key regions. ‌‌
• ‌Market Activity: Spot load postings declined 0.7% from last week, while spot truck postings decreased by 3.9%. The Load-to-Truck Ratio (LTR) declined for flatbed and increased for van and reefer. Meanwhile, the FreightWaves Pricing Power Index remains stable at 65, still in a carrier-favorable market. ‌
• ‌Dry Van: National dry van demand increased from last week, up 1.3% to a 7.2:1 LTR. The highest demand is broadly distributed across the U.S., excluding CA, IL, MI, ND, and NE, where LTRs exceed 5.5:1. National dry van spot rates are up $0.14 per mile from March to $2.66, led by the Midwest at $2.86. The VOTRI declined this week to 12.98 from 13.28 the week prior, indicating slight easing in dry van capacity as post-quarter demand normalizes. Despite the dip, rejection levels remain elevated enough to reflect a relatively firm, but not tightening, van environment. ‌
• ‌Flatbed: National flatbed demand decreased this week, down 0.8% to a 72.5:1 LTR. Elevated demand is spread across most of the U.S., excluding ND, with markets exceeding an 18:1 LTR. National flatbed spot rates are up $0.36 per mile from March to $3.45, led by the Southeast at $3.70. FOTRI held steady this week at 51.40, pointing toward continued strength in industrial and construction-related freight, which is typical for this time of year. Persistent elevation in flatbed rejections suggests capacity remains tight in this segment as seasonal project activity continues. ‌
• ‌Refrigerated: National reefer demand increased from last week, up 3.3% to a 12.8:1 LTR. The strongest demand is broadly distributed across the U.S., excluding CT, FL, IL, MA, MD, MN, NE, NH, and RI, where LTRs remain above 12:1. National reefer spot rates are up $0.13 per mile from March to an average of $3.11, led by the South at $3.35. The ROTRI declined this week to 14.06 from 15.71 the week prior, signaling loosening in reefer capacity as trucks continue to reposition into produce regions. While seasonal demand remains active, improved equipment availability appears to be easing pressure on refrigerated networks in the near term.

‌International Updates:

• ‌FBX Trends: Lane specific container rates were down globally while up in 01 and 03 lanes from the previous week. The global FBX average decreased minimally by $9 to $1,890. The FBX01 average rose 1% to $2,675, while FBX03 increased 3% to $3,939. ‌
• ‌Port of Los Angeles: Vessels are currently averaging 3.9 days at berth. The port reported a 28.80% YOY increase in volume from 19 scheduled vessels during the week of April 26, 2026. For the week of May 3, container volumes are projected to increase 44.62% YOY, with 19 scheduled vessels expected to move approximately 105,530 TEUs.

Embargoes:

• ‌AAA Cooper terminals:

‌DAL, DEN, SLC, STL, MCI, MKE, MSP, MIA, FWA, SBN, OKC, ODM, ONT