News

• A spike in import container activity out of Los Angeles & Long Beach ports created a short-term FTL surge into AZ, NV, and TX.
• Intermodal congestion redirected more loads to the truckload market.
• Dry van spot rates on high-volume lanes (LA–Phoenix, LA–Dallas) saw 5–8% increases.

FleetCore Insight: If you’ve got capacity in SoCal, maximize margins while rates tick up—rebalance when volume shifts East next week.

• The South Texas produce season officially kicked off with early harvests in McAllen, TX.
• Brokers are scrambling for reefer capacity moving northbound into Atlanta, Chicago, and the Carolinas.
• Reefer rates rose 10–15% YoY on key produce lanes.

What to Do: Prioritize your reefer network planning now. Position carriers southbound with reload strategies to earn loyalty during peak season.

• The FMCSA is revisiting a proposal to increase broker bond requirements from $75,000 to $250,000, citing increasing claims from unpaid carriers.
• This could have major implications for smaller brokerages and newcomers.

What You Can Do Now: Ensure your current bond provider can scale with you. Larger brokerages like FleetCore may benefit as smaller brokers exit the market.

• President Trump signed a new round of import tariffs affecting steel, electronics, and automotive parts.
• Shippers are rerouting some Asia-origin cargo through Mexico and Canada to avoid direct tariff hits.

Broker Opportunity: Promote cross-border solutions and transload services to clients sourcing goods internationally.

• A long-term lane reduction on I-70 near Indianapolis is slowing freight heading toward Columbus, OH and Eastern PA.
• Reports of hour-long delays during peak hours.

Plan Ahead: Reroute via I-74 or push deliveries into off-peak time slots. Shippers will appreciate the transparency.

• Capacity remains stable, but availability is tighter in reefer and West Coast dry van.
• Flatbed remains soft nationwide, with housing starts still low.
• Best margin zones: McAllen, Laredo, Southern California, and Atlanta outbound.