The Load Letter — June 1, 2026

The market is getting pulled in every direction at once to start the week — Brent crude jumped 5% on Iran tensions and fuel surcharges are coming before Friday, South Texas reefer is still whipsawing 40% in either direction week to week, and FedEx Freight just debuted as a fully independent company with something to prove. Today's briefing covers how to get ahead of the surcharge conversation with shippers before it looks like you're springing it on them, why South Texas reefer needs a market-adjustment clause on every quote right now, and what a hungry newly independent FedEx Freight means for LTL pricing in the near term. We also get into new Section 301 probes on Vietnam and 15% tariffs on Taiwan parts as the next pull-forward trigger for import-heavy shippers, cartel-linked cargo theft testimony before Congress that puts broker vetting squarely in the crosshairs, and warehouse markets tilting toward landlords — which means shippers will lean harder on transportation to move inventory rather than store it. Quote tight, reprice often, don't lock anything long without protection. That's the week.