Weather Updates:

• ‌Storm-Driven Disruptions: This week will bring severe thunderstorms, heavy rain, and localized flooding risks across portions of the Plains, Midwest, Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, and Northeast, while dangerous heat persists across the Southeast and builds in the Southwest. These conditions may create localized freight delays, tighter capacity, and service disruptions across major U.S. transportation corridors (Weather.gov).

Small Parcel Updates:

• USPS Rate Increase: USPS will increase shipping rates effective July 12, with Priority Mail rising 5.7% and USPS Ground Advantage increasing 7.1%, reflecting continued efforts to improve network efficiency and financial performance (USPS Increase).

LTL Updates:

• Diesel Rates: National diesel prices decreased $0.090 from last week, averaging $4.578 per gallon, $0.839 higher than the same time last year, and $0.713 higher than two years ago. The Midwest region saw the largest decrease, down $0.125 to $4.458 per gallon (U.S. EIA).
• Operations Ceased: Mountain Valley Express shutdown operations at all 13 of its terminals effective July 7, exiting the LTL market entirely. The closure is expected to shift freight to competing carriers across CA, AZ, and NV, creating localized capacity tightening and new business opportunities for regional and national LTL providers (Freightwaves).

TL Updates:

• Outbound Tender Rejection Index (OTRI): OTRI eased slightly to 16.54, down from 16.86 last week, indicating that while capacity has loosened modestly following the Independence Day holiday, the truckload market remains significantly tighter than historical norms (SONAR). With the holiday now behind us, freight activity is normalizing, with seasonal produce volume and steady demand keeping carriers selective in many markets.
• ‌‌Market Activity: Load postings decreased 26.8% from last week while spot truck postings were down 11.0% (DAT). The Load-to-Truck Ratio (LTR) decreased for vans, flatbeds and reefers due to the holiday lull. The FreightWaves Pricing Power Index continues to hold steady at 70, in a carrier-favorable market, with a three-month outlook of 75 (SONAR).
• ‌Dry Van: National dry van demand decreased from last week, down 15.6% to a 10.9:1 LTR. The highest demand, with LTRs exceeding 5.5:1, is broadly distributed across the U.S., excluding IA, IL, MI, NE, and NH (DAT VAN D&C). National dry van spot rates are up $0.05 per mile from June to $3.05, led by the Southeast at $3.19 (DAT VAN RATES). The VOTRI dipped slightly to 17.53 from 17.87 last week, suggesting dry van capacity has loosened marginally as networks rebalance after the holiday (SONAR). Demand remains healthy, but with the end-of-quarter shipping push complete, van markets are settling into a more typical July pattern while maintaining relatively firm conditions.
• ‌Flatbed: National flatbed demand decreased from last week, down 26.2% to a 42.1:1 LTR. Elevated demand is spread across most of the U.S., with markets exceeding an 18:1 LTR, excluding IA, MI, ND and RI (DAT FLAT D&C). National flatbed spot rates are down $0.05 per mile from June to $3.65, led by the Southeast at $4.03 (DAT FLAT RATES). FOTRI increased to 25.39 from 23.11 last week, reversing last week’s decline and signaling a modest tightening in flatbed capacity (SONAR). Ongoing construction, infrastructure, manufacturing, and energy-related freight continue to support demand, keeping flatbed availability tighter despite broader market conditions stabilizing after the holiday week.
• ‌Refrigerated: National reefer demand decreased from last week, down 13.0% to a 21.3:1 LTR. The strongest demand is broadly distributed across the U.S. with LTRs exceeding 12:1, excluding CT, MA, MD, MI, NH, OR, RI, and VT (DAT REF D&C).  National reefer spot rates are up $0.08 per mile from June to $3.47, led by the West at $3.53 (DAT REF RATES). The ROTRI fell to 23.73 from 26.66 last week, though reefer rejection rates remain elevated compared to other equipment types (SONAR). As produce season continues across key growing regions, refrigerated capacity is still under pressure, but some post-holiday normalization has allowed additional trucks to return to the market.

International Updates:

• ‌FBX Trends: Lane specific container rates were up globally and in the 01 and 03 lanes from the previous week. The global FBX average increased 8% to $3,715. The FBX01 average increased 8% from last week to $6,687, while the FBX03 also increased 8% to $8,635 (FREIGHTOS).
• ‌Port of Los Angeles: Vessels are currently averaging 4.2 days at berth. The port reported a 5.52% YOY increase in volume from 22 scheduled vessels during the week of July 5, 2026. For the week of July 12, container volumes are projected to decrease 7.05% YOY, with 22 scheduled vessels expected to move approximately 114,667 TEUs (PORT SIGNAL).

‌Embargoes:

• ‌AAA Cooper terminals 
  • STL
  • MSP
• Estes Express OB Midwest terminals
  • 62 – Cincinnati
  • 69 – Flint
  • 78 – Milwaukee
  • 86 – Louisville
  • 93 – Indianapolis
  • 94 – Fort Wayne
  • 111 – North Chicago
  • 118 – Kokomo
  • 128 – Elgin
  • 129 – Madison
  • 131 – Appleton
  • 159 – Racine
  • 186 – Sheboygan
  • 503 – Edwardsville
• TForce Freight 
  • St. Louis, MO