Freight Pulse & Law Update: Tender Rejections Climb Past 14%, Diesel Squeezes Capacity, and Cargo Thieves Move to the Warehouse

September 24, 2026: Freight is tightening at the edges while fuel, compliance, and warehouse risk raise the floor on total logistics cost. Shippers should plan for a split market, not a simple rate upcycle.

What is happening to freight capacity?

National tender rejections have moved back above 14% after the post-Labor Day slide. Spot equipment postings are at their lowest level in more than a decade, while carriers prioritize equipment replacement over fleet expansion. That signals a capacity exodus, not a capacity bounce.

• Short-haul freight remains the most resilient.

• Long-haul volume continues shifting toward intermodal.

• Flatbed spot rates jumped this week.

• Dry van and reefer rates declined.

• Record diesel prices are pushing more capacity out of the market in Q4, even as linehaul rates look flat to soft.

FreightWaves market coverage reflects the broader pressure. The all-in cost per mile is rising even when the base rate is not.

Which FMCSA changes require action now?

FMCSA’s fuel-hauler waiver runs September 16 through December 16, allowing qualifying interstate gasoline and diesel carriers up to 16 driving hours in 24 hours with required rest.

The new DataQs review process is also mandatory: Initial Review, Reconsideration, and Final Review. Audit open challenges filed before September 18.

FMCSA paused biennial-update enforcement during the Motus rollout, but carriers should still update records. The UCR fee increase averages 20% beginning October 1 for 2027 registrations. Track inspection records ahead of DOT and CVSA Brake Safety Week.

Why are warehouses becoming the theft target?

Warehouses and distribution centers are now the most common cargo-theft location. A new survey found 79% of prevention leaders are more concerned than ever, 63% saw incidents rise year over year, and 40% reported annual losses above $1 million.

Recent cases include a $680,000 shipment stolen from a New Castle, Delaware warehouse and Memphis indictments tied to nearly $600,000 in interstate losses. Fraudulent pickups, carrier impersonation, GPS jamming, and double brokering remain leading tactics.

What should shippers do before Q4?

Segment short-haul and intermodal freight, review fuel-surcharge language, and pressure-test appointment verification, carrier onboarding, seal discipline, and inventory visibility. Congestion also matters: a $500 million copper shipment and roughly 100,000 tons of additional copper have contributed to a New Orleans logistics logjam.

For a 3PL Maryland operation, Lanta Logistics combines Mid-Atlantic fulfillment, transportation, and secure Glen Burnie warehouse execution, including food-grade warehouse and Hazmat certified 3PL capabilities.

FlowOps by Lanta is our operator-built WMS: $99/month flat rate, unlimited SKUs, patent-pending Agentic AI, 20+ modules, and real screenshots. Compare capabilities and give your third party logistics providers the real-time control required for inventory management for ecommerce, 3PL fulfillment services, and supply chain management companies.

Bottom line: The safest Q4 strategy is disciplined freight segmentation, verified warehouse controls, and one source of truth for every SKU, load, and handoff.