Weather Updates:

• ‌It was Hurricane Preparedness Week last week. The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June through November and for 2026 it is expected to have a below-average number of storms this season. For more information on how to be Hurricane ready go to NOAA Hurricane Preparedness Week.

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

• The CVSA International Roadcheck was live this week for May 12–14, 2026, and took place across Canada, Mexico and the United States at weigh stations, temporary inspection sites and via mobile patrols. Inspectors placed special emphasis on electronic logging device (ELD) tampering, falsification or manipulation to ensure hours-of-service compliance, along with cargo securement, focused on the proper use and condition of tie-downs, chains and load containment. 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 Enhancements: AZ, CO, FL, IA, ID, MA, MD, MN, NJ, SC, SD and WA are slated to gain 14 new sorting and delivery centers across by July, consolidating operations from smaller facilities to boost efficiency, reliability, and package throughput. The new hubs will add advanced sortation and EV charging while keeping local post offices open, supporting growing parcel volumes and long-term cost savings.

LTL Updates:

• ‌Diesel Rates: National diesel prices decreased $0.001 from last week, averaging $5.639 per gallon, $2.163 higher than the same time last year, and $1.791 higher than two years ago. The West Coast region saw the largest decrease, down $0.095 to $5.905 per gallon.

TL Updates:

• ‌Outbound Tender Rejection Index (OTRI): OTRI increased this week, climbing to 14.67 from 14.06, signaling tighter overall truckload capacity. The increase was driven primarily by stronger van and refrigerated rejection activity, while flatbed rejections eased sharply from last week’s elevated levels. Market conditions were likely influenced by the ongoing DOT Roadcheck week, which temporarily reduced available capacity, while shippers also began positioning freight ahead of the upcoming Memorial Day weekend, adding additional pressure to networks. ‌‌
• ‌Market Activity: Spot load postings increased 3.2% from last week, while spot truck postings decreased by 0.4%. The Load-to-Truck Ratio (LTR) declined for flatbeds and increased for vans and reefers. Meanwhile, the FreightWaves Pricing Power Index remains stable at 65, in a carrier-favorable market, with a three-month outlook of 75, due to International Roadcheck week (5/12-5/14) and the Memorial Day holiday. ‌
• ‌Dry Van: National dry van demand increased from last week, up 4.6% to a 8.7:1 LTR. The highest demand with LTRs exceeding 5.5:1 is broadly distributed across the U.S., excluding the Midwest, CA, NH and RI. National dry van spot rates are up $0.04 per mile from April to $2.71, led by the Midwest at $2.82. The VOTRI iincreased sharply this week, up to 15.25 from 13.68 the week prior, indicating tightening dry van capacity and stronger carrier selectivity. Roadcheck-related disruptions and pre-holiday shipping activity likely contributed to the increase, as carriers managed tighter schedules and reduced available capacity. ‌
• ‌Flatbed: National flatbed demand decreased this week, down 0.1% to a 63.1:1 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 $0.13 per mile from April to $3.57, led by the Southeast at $3.77. FOTRI declined this week, down to 34.23 from 48.72 the week prior, signaling a meaningful easing in flatbed capacity conditions after several weeks of elevated rejection activity. The sharp pullback suggests some normalization in the flatbed market, though rejection levels remain above long-term averages. ‌
• ‌Refrigerated: National reefer demand increased from last week, up 12.3% to a 16.3:1 LTR. The strongest demand is broadly distributed across the U.S. with LTRs exceeding 12:1, excluding the Great Lakes region, KS, KY, MT, NE, New England (less VT and ME), NV and WA. National reefer spot rates are up $0.05 per mile from April to an average of $3.17, led by the South at $3.35. The ROTRI increased this week, up to 16.27 from 15.02 the week prior, reflecting tightening reefer capacity as produce season continues to ramp across key growing regions. Seasonal produce demand combined with Roadcheck-related capacity reductions likely added upward pressure to refrigerated networks this week.

‌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 3% to $1,982. The FBX01 average rose 4% to $2,828, while the FBX03 climbed 1% to $4,340. ‌
• ‌Port of Los Angeles: Vessels are currently averaging 4 days at berth. The port reported a 42.68% YOY increase in volume from 21 scheduled vessels during the week of May 10, 2026. For the week of May 17, container volumes are projected to increase 0.74% YOY, with 18 scheduled vessels expected to move approximately 103,650 TEUs.

Embargoes:

• ‌AAA Cooper terminals

DEN, MCI, STL