J.B. Hunt Sees Tender Rejections Spike, Expects Prolonged TL Rate Inflation
JBHT•J.B. Hunt’s head of sales said early-2026 truckload contract rates are failing as tender rejection rates spike, forcing shippers to rebid their books. Stricter cabotage enforcement and a broker liability ruling have cut capacity structurally, pushing spot rates sharply higher and extending TL rate inflation.
1. Escalating Tender Rejections
Spencer Frazier reported that routing guides have broken down as tender rejection rates surged through early 2026, prompting mini‐bids and forcing some shippers to rebid their entire freight volumes after contracts failed to hold.
2. Regulatory Crackdown Impact
Enhanced enforcement of cabotage rules and heightened scrutiny under the Supreme Court’s broker liability ruling have purged noncompliant drivers and carriers, structurally reducing available truckload capacity in the spot market.
3. Structural Capacity Constraints
Ongoing regulatory pressures, elevated equipment and insurance costs, and higher fuel prices are deterring new entrants, creating a tighter supply base compared with prior cycles where capacity could quickly expand.
4. Market Outlook for TL Rates
With reduced ability for excess capacity to enter, spot linehaul rates have stepped higher year over year, and J.B. Hunt anticipates sustained inflationary truckload rates rather than the typical post‐peak decline.
