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Freight Pulse & Law Update: Red-Dyed Diesel Goes Legal on Highways, Warehouse Space Tightens Fastest Since 2022, and Sunday's Medical-Card Deadline

Writer: Lanta LLC
Lanta LLC
Oct 6
2 min read

The Oct. 5 fuel order offers temporary diesel relief, but pressure remains. Diesel is still above $6 nationally, warehouse capacity is shrinking fast, spot rates are rising despite weaker tender volumes, and CDL holders face an electronic medical-certification deadline on Sunday, Oct. 11.

What changed for diesel users?

The executive order temporarily lets truckers and farmers use red-dyed diesel on public highways. Treasury will defer the 24.4-cent-per-gallon federal highway diesel tax through Dec. 31, with no interest or penalties.

  • FreightWaves DTS truck-stop diesel: $6.39.

  • The White House estimates savings above $100 per fill-up.

Why are freight rates rising?

The September Logistics Managers’ Index shows cost pressure from fuel and structural capacity tightness, not demand.

  • Transportation prices: 92.7; capacity: 34.4 after 10 straight months of contraction.

  • Warehouse capacity: 39.3, down 14.2 points and the fastest contraction since March 2022.

  • Dry van spot rates reached $3.55 per mile, about 50% above last year, while accepted tenders sit about 20% below June’s peak.

FlowOps inventory dashboard

What must carriers complete by Sunday?

CDL holders must have medical certification filed electronically with the state by Oct. 11. FMCSA also extended automatic regional emergency relief from 14 to 30 days effective Oct. 5 under docket FMCSA-2025-0124.

CVSA Brake Safety Week ran Aug. 23–29 and focused on brake drums and rotors. Keep inspection and repair records ready.

What does this mean for Baltimore and the I-95 corridor?

Shippers using 3PL Maryland and Mid-Atlantic fulfillment should secure space, validate fuel assumptions, and protect delivery capacity now. A Glen Burnie warehouse near Baltimore, I-95, I-695, and Seagirt supports time-sensitive inventory, including food-grade warehouse and Hazmat certified 3PL requirements.

How can operators improve visibility?

FlowOps by Lanta is OPERATOR-BUILT, with a warehouse management system, real-time inventory, 20+ modules, unlimited SKUs, patent-pending Agentic AI, and plans from $99/month flat rate. Built for third party logistics providers, 3PL fulfillment services, and inventory management for ecommerce. Compare plans.

Lanta Logistics helps shippers control cost, compliance, fulfillment, and transportation before Q4 tightens further.

 
 
 

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