Weather Updates:
- Currently Hurricane Jerry is tracking away from the United States and is not likely to change direction towards the coast. No impacts to transit times or carriers are expected. Freeze protection season is approaching, and we may see our first warnings of cold in the coming weeks in Canada.
Small Parcel Updates:
- Canada Post Issues: The nationwide Canada Post strike continues as the union rejected offers involving rural post office closures and reduced mail service. All regular mail and parcels remain suspended, forcing private carriers to shoulder the burden heading into peak shipping season.
LTL Updates:
- Postponed Tariff: The U.S. postponement of the 25% tariff on imported heavy trucks from October 1 to November 1 provides relief for LTL carriers, enabling them to address aging equipment needs at lower costs. This delay suppresses spikes in truck acquisition costs, supporting fleet modernization. By reducing capital outlay risks, it helps minimize upward pressure on freight rates, ultimately keeping potential rate increases minimal.
- Diesel Rates: National diesel prices decreased by $0.043 from last week, averaging $3.711 per gallon, which is $0.127 higher than last year. The Midwest and Rocky Mountain regions saw the largest decrease, down $0.061 from last week to $3.670 and $3.732 per gallon.
TL Updates:
- Market Activity: Spot load posts are up 13.5% from last week, and spot truck posts increased by 2.0%. The Load-to-Truck Ratio (LTR) was up for vans, flatbeds and reefers.
- Carrier Closure: Montgomery Transport LLC, a Birmingham-based flatbed trucking company, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy and immediately ceased operations, resulting in 600 drivers being instructed to halt work or complete deliveries only. This closure will abruptly tighten up flatbed capacity in the Southeast heading into next week.
- Outbound Tender Rejection Index (OTRI): The OTRI saw varying levels of increase across all modes this week. The OTRI currently sits at 5.67, up from last week’s 5.44.
- Dry Van: National van demand increased by 13.8% to a 7.41-1 LTR nationally, with the highest demand spread across most the United States, other than CA, IL, MI, NE and the Southeastern States, exceeding 5.5+ to 1 LTR. The spot rate per mile (RPM) for dry vans is up $0.04 from September, averaging $2.09 nationally, with the Midwest holding the highest RPM at $2.21. VOTRI trends aligned with OTRI week over week. The VOTRI is at 5.23, up from last week’s value of 5.08.
- Flatbed: National flatbed demand increased by 6.7% to a 29.19-1 LTR, with the highest demand in the West, the Southeastern States, parts of New England, IN, MT, SD, and WY at over 18+ to 1 LTR. The flatbed spot RPM is up $0.03 from September, averaging $2.53 nationally, with the Southeast holding the highest RPM at $2.68. For the week, FOTRI was the biggest driver in relation to the overall OTRI increase. The FOTRI increased by more than one full point to 12.79, up from last week’s value of 11.48.
- Reefer: National reefer demand increased by 17.3% to a 12.93-1 LTR nationally, with the highest demand in the Midwest and Western states, AR, CO, IN, ME, MI, MT, NM and lower New England at over 12+ to 1 LTR. The spot RPM for reefers is up $0.04 from September, averaging $2.48 nationally, with the highest rates in the Midwest at $2.74. ROTRI saw a relatively small increase week over week compared to other modes. The ROTRI currently sits at 13.68 compared to last week’s value of 13.53.
International Updates:
- FBX Trends: Container rates were down from last week with the current average cost of an FBX01 container down 16% to $1,554, and the FBX global container average down 11% to $1,659. The FBX03 decreased 18% from last week to $3,260.
- Port of LA: The port reported a 31.93% YOY volume decrease from 15 scheduled vessels during the week of October 5, 2025. For the week of October 12, volume is projected to decrease 12.01% YOY, with 21 scheduled vessels moving 106,167 TEUs.
Embargoes:
There are no embargoes currently impacting our freight network.