Weather Updates:

• ‌Freeze protection services are currently inactive, however temperature sensitive freight should have a freeze protection service added still in Northern Canada and Alaska due to forecasts showing freezing temps present overnight. Please note that this service may incur additional charges and could impact transit times.
• ‌Severe storms overnight brought tornadoes, large hail, and damaging winds across the South, with Mississippi hardest hit. Today’s storm threat remains focused on Georgia, Alabama, and Florida before weakening and becoming more scattered as the system moves East. Expect some minor transit delays through the impacted markets.

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. 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:

• ‌Amazon Pressure: Amazon launched Amazon Supply Chain Services, offering integrated freight, warehousing, fulfillment, and parcel delivery which will increase competitive pressure on parcel networks with Amazon leveraging its infrastructure beyond its own retail volumes.

LTL Updates:

• ‌‌‌LTL Rate Forecast: LTL contract rate forecasts fell from March to April 1.1 points from last month to a 3.3% increase excluding fuel, however, the long-term outlook for 2026 remains elevated at a 6.6% increase, with 2027 outlooks showing further rate creep at over 7%.
• Diesel Rates: National diesel prices increased $0.289 from last week, averaging $5.640 per gallon, $2.143 higher than the same time last year, and $1.746 higher than two years ago. The Midwest region saw the largest increase, up $0.611 to $5.742 per gallon.

TL Updates:

• ‌Outbound Tender Rejection Index (OTRI): OTRI moved higher this week, increasing to 14.06 from 13.19, signaling tightening capacity across the truckload market. The uptick was driven by gains in both van and refrigerated rejections, while flatbed eased slightly but remained elevated. This week’s strengthening is likely being influenced by pre–DOT Roadcheck activity, as carriers sideline equipment for inspections and tighten capacity ahead of enforcement, contributing to higher rejection rates.
• ‌‌Market Activity: Spot load postings declined 1.5% from last week, while spot truck postings decreased by 5.2%. 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, still 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.
• ‌Rate Forecast: Spot rate forecasts showed another significant jump, rising 1.8 points from the previous forecast to a 19.0% YOY increase for 2026, driven by strength in all truckload modes. Contract rate expectations are showing a 6.4% increase for 2026, and the total truck rate outlook is showing 10.4% YOY increase for 2026 up from 9.4% previously forecasted.
• ‌Dry Van: National dry van demand increased from last week, up 15.6% to a 8.3:1 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 $0.03 per mile from April to $2.70, led by the Midwest at $2.83. The VOTRI increased this week, up to 13.68 from 12.98 the week prior, indicating tightening in dry van capacity as demand firms and carriers become more selective ahead of Roadcheck. The rise suggests improving pricing leverage for carriers in the van market.
• ‌Dry Van Rate Forecast: 2026 loadings softened slightly to a projected increase of 1.3% YOY with a shift away from food towards automotive and packaged goods. The 2026 dry van spot rate forecast shows a 21.3% increase, while total truck rates show a 11.3% YOY increase excluding fuel.
• ‌Flatbed: National flatbed demand decreased this week, down 12.9% 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 $0.10 per mile from April to $3.56, led by the Southeast at $3.76. FOTRI declined this week, down to 48.72 from 51.40 the week prior, but remains elevated, signaling that capacity in the flatbed market is still relatively tight. The pullback suggests some near-term easing after several weeks of heightened rejection activity, though overall conditions remain firm.
• ‌Flatbed Rate Forecast: The 2026 loadings outlook strengthened from 1.9% to a 3.2% YOY increase due to strength in building materials. The 2026 flatbed spot rate forecast jumped to a 16.2% increase, while the total truck rate shows a 9.7% YOY increase excluding fuel.
• ‌Refrigerated: National reefer demand increased from last week, up 13.5% to a 14.5:1 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 (loess VT and ME), NV and WA. National reefer spot rates are up $0.03 per mile from April to an average of $3.15, led by the South at $3.34. The ROTRI increased this week, up to 15.02 from 14.06 the week prior, signaling tightening in reefer capacity as produce season continues to ramp and compete for available equipment. Seasonal demand combined with Roadcheck-related capacity constraints is likely contributing to the upward pressure.
• ‌Reefer Rate Forecast: The 2026 reefer loadings outlook degraded further from last month from a 2.1% increase to a 1.7% YOY increase, due to softening in all food and non-food commodities. The 2026 reefer spot rate forecast shows a 23.3% increase, while total truck rates show an 11.6% YOY increase excluding fuel.

‌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 2% to $1,933. The FBX01 average rose 2% to $2,725, while the FBX03 increased 10% to $4,317.
• ‌Port of Los Angeles: Vessels are currently averaging 4 days at berth. The port reported a 46.03% YOY increase in volume from 19 scheduled vessels during the week of May 3, 2026. For the week of May 10, container volumes are projected to increase 42.77% YOY, with 22 scheduled vessels expected to move approximately 120,803 TEUs.

Embargoes:

• ‌AAA Cooper terminals  

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