Freight Pulse & Law Update: Carriers Say the Capacity Exodus Is Only in the Early Innings, Diesel Sits at $6.29, and F-35 Parts Land in Hong Kong
Freight capacity is tightening before peak season fully arrives. Carrier closures, noncompliant CDL and driver-school shutdowns, insurance costs, and diesel at $6.29 per gallon are pushing smaller fleets out of the market.
Why are truckload rates moving higher?
Carriers describe the capacity exodus as being in its early innings. National tender rejections reached approximately 14.32% during the week of September 18, showing that more contracted loads are being declined.
Fuel is worsening the margin squeeze. Wholesale diesel is rising faster than many fuel-surcharge schedules can recover. Uber Freight has issued a Q4 rate warning, with contractual rate growth expected to continue into 2027. DAT’s dry van data adds an important qualifier: freight is still moving, but not necessarily through the lanes where capacity is available.
Shippers are responding by shifting toward dedicated fleets and locking Q4 and Q1 capacity earlier. This is a capacity-discipline market, not simply a demand-driven rate cycle.
What regulatory changes require action now?
UCR: FMCSA’s final rule raises 2027 fees by approximately 20% beginning October 1. Bracket A rises to $55; registration runs October 1 through December 31.
Fuel haulers: A temporary FMCSA waiver, effective September 16 through December 16, permits qualifying gasoline and diesel haulers to operate up to 16 hours in a 24-hour period, subject to waiver conditions.
CDLs: Federal audits and the non-domiciled CDL crackdown continue. Verify every driver’s license, status, and supporting documentation.
Imports: CBP is voiding Importer of Record numbers tied to incomplete or inaccurate Form 5106 data.
During the CVSA Brake Safety Week compliance cycle, review DOT brake inspection records and carrier maintenance exceptions before tendering freight.
What does the F-35 diversion teach logistics teams?
A shipment of sensitive F-35 components, including a cockpit canopy, was diverted from Australia to Hong Kong while en route to the United States. The Pentagon is investigating a potential security breach. The incident reinforces a basic rule: routing controls, identity verification, and custody handoffs protect both cargo and margins.
What should shippers do this week?
Audit surcharge language so fuel escalation remains recoverable.
Lock Q4 and Q1 capacity now.
Verify carrier and broker identities at pickup.
Treat exception visibility as a margin tool.
FlowOps by Lanta is our proprietary, operator-built warehouse management system with 20 modules, patent-pending Agentic AI, and unlimited SKUs at a flat $99/month. Explore FlowOps or compare capabilities.
Lanta Logistics supports growing brands with third party logistics providers, inventory management for ecommerce, ecommerce fulfillment, 3PL Maryland, Mid-Atlantic fulfillment, food-grade warehouse operations, Hazmat certified 3PL services, and a Glen Burnie warehouse. Secure Q4 execution with Lanta.
Sources
Comments