Weather Updates:

• Memorial Day Weekend Outlook: Storms will be most widespread and impactful from the southern Plains through the Mississippi Valley to the Northeast, with repeated rounds of heavy rain, isolated severe weather, and localized flooding, while the rest of the country will see mainly dry conditions. Impacts to transit are not expected beyond the holiday weekend impact.
• ‌Hurricane Season: 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.

‌Small Parcel Updates:

• ‌Regional Pressure: Regional parcel carriers like OnTrac and LaserShip are expanding through consolidation, combining networks to cover nearly 90% of the U.S. while leveraging shared infrastructure to significantly reduce delivery costs. This growing scale and efficiency is increasing competitive pressure on UPS and FedEx, particularly in e‑commerce lanes where price sensitivity is highest.

LTL Updates:

• ‌FedEx Approved: FedEx’s board approved the spinoff of FedEx Freight into a standalone public company by June 1, in a move aimed at unlocking shareholder value and enabling both the parcel and LTL businesses to pursue more focused, independent growth strategies.
• ‌Border Bridge Update: The Gordie Howe International Bridge has moved into its final phase of readiness and is fully constructed, with the span, highway connections, and most port‑of‑entry infrastructure complete. Current efforts are focused on systems integration and testing, along with final coordination and staffing between U.S. and Canadian border agencies ahead of the official opening.
• ‌Diesel Rates: National diesel prices decreased $0.043 from last week, averaging $5.596 per gallon, $2.060 higher than the same time last year, and $1.807 higher than two years ago. California saw the largest decrease, down $0.099 to $7.222 per gallon.

TL Updates:

• ‌Outbound Tender Rejection Index (OTRI): OTRI climbed sharply this week, rising to 16.29 from 14.67, signaling meaningful tightening across the truckload market. The increase was driven by stronger rejection activity across all major equipment types, particularly refrigerated freight. Lingering impacts from DOT Roadcheck week combined with heavy pre-Memorial Day shipping activity likely reduced available capacity and accelerated carrier selectivity heading into the holiday weekend. ‌‌
• ‌Market Activity: Spot load postings increased 31.6% from last week, while spot truck postings decreased by 7.2%. The Load-to-Truck Ratio (LTR) increased for vans, flatbeds and reefers primarily due to Roadcheck week and the Memorial Day holiday. The FreightWaves Pricing Power Index inched up to 70, in a carrier-favorable market, with a three-month outlook of 75. ‌
• ‌Dry Van: National dry van demand increased from last week, up 48.4% to a 12.9:1 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 $0.13 per mile from April to $2.80, led by the Midwest at $2.86. The VOTRI increased this week, up to 16.98 from 15.25 the week prior, indicating continued tightening in dry van capacity as shippers pushed freight ahead of the Memorial Day holiday. Shortened holiday operating schedules, combined with lucrative spot rates, likely contributed to elevated rejection activity and tighter routing guide compliance. ‌
• ‌Flatbed: National flatbed demand increased this week, up 38.3% to a 87.2:1 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 $0.17 per mile from April to $3.61, led by the Southeast at $3.82. FOTRI moved higher this week, increasing to 38.44 from 34.23 the week prior, signaling renewed tightening in flatbed capacity after last week’s pullback. Seasonal construction and industrial freight demand, combined with reduced carrier availability around the holiday period, likely contributed to the increase. ‌
• ‌Refrigerated: National reefer demand increased from last week, up 65.3% to a 26.9:1 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 $0.16 per mile from April to an average of $3.28, led by the South at $3.41. The ROTRI surged this week, climbing to 20.58 from 16.27 the week prior, reflecting significant tightening in reefer capacity as produce season ramps up across key growing regions. Holiday-related shipping demand layered on top of seasonal produce volumes and lingering Roadcheck effects likely created substantial pressure on refrigerated networks this week.

‌International Updates:

• ‌FBX Trends: Lane specific container rates were up globally while down in the 01 and 03 lanes from the previous week. The global FBX average increased 1% to $2,000. The FBX01 average decreased 1% to $2,814, while the FBX03 decreased 1% to $4,275. ‌
• ‌Port of Los Angeles: Vessels are currently averaging 4 days at berth. The port reported a 6.66% YOY decrease in volume from 18 scheduled vessels during the week of May 17, 2026. For the week of May 24, container volumes are projected to increase 57.76% YOY, with 19 scheduled vessels expected to move approximately 109,266 TEUs.

Embargoes:

• ‌AAA Cooper terminals 

‌STL