Freight Pulse & Law Update: Tender Rejections Hit 14.17% Without a Demand Spike, Houston Drayage Rates Jump 34%, and the FMC Opens Two Comment Windows
Tender rejections reached 14.17% without a demand surge, pointing to a truckload capacity shortfall. Meanwhile, Houston drayage costs are rising sharply, and the FMC opened two public comment periods on October 15.
What is driving the truckload squeeze?
FreightWaves reports the SONAR Tender Volume Index stayed flat as rejections rose. The increase is broad, with elevated readings in Los Angeles, Ontario, Harrisburg, Memphis, Atlanta, Knoxville, Green Bay, Des Moines and El Paso.
Los Angeles van rejections rose 1.87 percentage points week over week.
Spot rates exceed contract rates on 38% of Los Angeles’s top 50 lanes.
Tender lead times run 3.5–4 days, while spot loads are booked a day or less ahead. FreightWaves expects spot-rate indexes to rise as the signal catches up.
Houston is a notable exception, with truckload conditions softening.
Why are Houston drayage rates rising?
U.S. containerized imports rose 10.3% year over year in September, according to Descartes. Drayage rates climbed 34% year over year in Houston, compared with 18% nationally; ITS Logistics also reported a 40% Houston increase over four months. The national drayage spot index was up 9.8% year over year, with demand 18% above the prior six-month average.
Secure drayage capacity and chassis early, especially for hazardous materials and refrigerated freight. Read The Loadstar’s report.
What is open for FMC comment?
The FMC opened two 60-day comment windows, both closing December 14, 2026. The proposals cover VOCC/MTO agreement information collections (docket FMC-2026-0430) and carrier automated tariffs (docket FMC-2026-0431). The notices describe updated reporting and electronic submission platforms; they request comments on existing collections, not a final rule.
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What should Mid-Atlantic shippers watch?
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, is a tightening Mid-Atlantic truckload market. CVSA Brake Safety Week was held August 23–29, 2026; keep vehicle inspections and brake maintenance current. For regional warehousing and transportation support, see Lanta’s services, including its Glen Burnie operation.
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