Weather:

• ‌Storm-Driven Disruptions: Heat and heavy rainfall remain the primary weather concerns this weekend, with localized flooding risks in parts of the South and East and isolated thunderstorms across portions of the Plains and Upper Midwest. These conditions may cause localized freight delays and temporary capacity constraints, but widespread network disruptions are not expected (Weather.gov).

Small Parcel Updates:

• Future Peak Surcharges: FedEx introduced higher 2026 peak season surcharges, including increased residential delivery and demand-based fees for larger e-commerce shippers, signaling continued parcel cost pressure during the upcoming holiday shipping season. UPS has not announced matching 2026 peak fees yet but given its long-standing practice of implementing holiday demand surcharges, most shippers expect a similar peak season pricing update later this year (Supply Chain Drive).

LTL Updates:

• Diesel Rates: National diesel prices increased $0.338 from last week, averaging $5.134 per gallon, $1.322 higher than the same time last year, and $1.355 higher than two years ago. The Gulf Coast region saw the largest increase, up $0.396 to $4.942 per gallon (U.S. EIA).

TL Updates:

• Outbound Tender Rejection Index (OTRI): Outbound tender rejections remained relatively steady this week, with the national OTRI edges downward slightly to 15.48 from 15.64 last week (SONAR). Overall capacity remains tighter than historical norms, but the market continues to normalize following the early summer holiday surge. Seasonal freight patterns remain mixed, with consumer demand stabilizing while produce activity gradually begins to wind down in several regions.
• ‌‌Market Activity: Load postings decreased 9.6% from last week while spot truck postings were up 1.7% (DAT). The Load-to-Truck Ratio (LTR) decreased for vans, flatbeds and reefers. The FreightWaves Pricing Power Index jumped to 79, solidly in a carrier-favorable market, with a three-month outlook of 80 (SONAR).
• ‌Dry Van: National dry van demand decreased from last week, down 9.8% to a 10.7:1 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 $0.04 per mile from June to $3.04, led by the Central South and Southeast at $3.15 (DAT VAN RATES). The VOTRI increased to 16.78 this week from 16.28 last week, signaling slightly tighter dry van capacity despite the broader market remaining relatively stable (SONAR). Retail replenishment, manufacturing freight, and continued network balancing are helping support van demand. Expect carriers to remain selective on shorter-haul and higher-volume lanes, while pricing stays firm in stronger freight markets.
• ‌Flatbed: National flatbed demand decreased from last week, down 14.9% to a 43.9:1 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 $0.03 per mile from June to $3.67, led by the Southeast at $3.96 (DAT FLAT RATES). FOTRI declined to 21.45 this week from 23.50 last week, continuing the gradual easing trend seen over the past several weeks (SONAR). While available capacity has improved, flatbed conditions remain stronger than historical averages due to ongoing construction, energy, and infrastructure-related freight. Regional project work continues to create pockets of tighter capacity, even as the national market becomes more balanced.
• ‌Refrigerated: National reefer demand decreased from last week, down 13.4% to a 19.8:1 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 $0.06 per mile from June to $3.46, led by the West at $3.57(DAT REF RATES). The ROTRI eased to 21.60 from 22.89 last week, reflecting a modest loosening of refrigerated capacity (SONAR). As portions of the summer produce season begin to transition geographically, demand remains healthy but is becoming more balanced. Reefer markets should continue to outperform the broader truckload market, particularly in produce-heavy regions and temperature-sensitive freight lanes.

International Updates:

• ‌FBX Trends: Lane specific container rates were down globally and in the 01 and 03 lanes from the previous week. The global FBX average decreased 3% to $3,853. The FBX01 average decreased 6% from last week to $7,067, while the FBX03 decreased 0.4% to $9,102 (FREIGHTOS).
• ‌Port of Los Angeles: Vessels are currently averaging 4.3 days at berth. The port reported a 6.68% YOY increase in volume from 21 scheduled vessels during the week of July 19, 2026. For the week of July 26, container volumes are projected to decrease 9.61% YOY, with 23 scheduled vessels expected to move approximately 115,252 TEUs (PORT SIGNAL).

Embargoes:

• ‌AAA Cooper terminals 
  • STL
  • MSP

• TForce Freight 
  • St. Louis, MO