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# The Mercury-Beemac Logistics Truck Market Update for week of 17 August through 23 August 2026
- URL: https://steel-veritas.ghost.io/the-mercury-beemac-logistics-truck-market-update-for-week-of-17-august-through-23-august-2026-2/
- Published: 2026-08-31T12:12:52.000Z
- Updated: 2026-08-31T12:13:48.000Z
- Author: David Adams

[Freight Market\_Conditions\_8\_28\_26Trucking Freight Freight Market\_Conditions\_8\_28\_26.pdf3 MBdownload-circle](https://steel-veritas.ghost.io/content/files/2026/08/Freight-Market%5FConditions%5F8%5F28%5F26.pdf "Download")

Good morning,

Along with the Market Outlook, is the latest Morgan Stanley Data for week of 17 August through 23 August 2026:

**MARKET OUTLOOK:** Demand has come off the summer peak — flatbed volumes fell nearly 30% from June to July, and industry sentiment on demand weakened noticeably in the latest surveys. But this week didn't read like a market rolling over: load posts rose 5%, spot rates climbed in all three modes, and reefer capacity snapped 14% tighter. Fuel is the story underneath it all — up 4% again to $5.65, now 23% above the early-July low and 45% higher than last year. Rising fuel against uneven demand squeezes carrier margins, and that is what takes capacity out of the market. Year-over-year is still strong — Flatbed up 43%, Van up 47%, Reefer up 42%. Fuel is up 45%. September will tell us whether this was a pause or a turn.

**VAN MARKET:** Van spot bounced 5% on the week, holding the August average right at $2.90 versus $3.00 in July. Load-to-truck was essentially flat and still runs 62% above last August. Contract edged up to $3.10, keeping a $0.20 premium over spot. Up 47% year-over-year — steady as it goes.

**FLATBED MARKET:** The August slide paused — flatbed spot rose 3% this week, holding the monthly average at $3.55 against July's $3.64\. Capacity retightened 4%, the first weekly tightening this month, after construction-season demand cooled through late summer. Contract kept climbing to $3.92, stretching its premium over spot to $0.37\. Still up 43% on the year.

**REEFER MARKET:** Reefer was the mover — capacity tightened 14% on the week, reversing two straight declines, and spot followed up 3% with the August average at $3.36\. Contract held near $3.41, so the thin cushion over spot is intact. Still up 42% on the year.

Thanks very much, we hope you find the above information useful in your transportation planning. 

Brian Kostef

Managing Director

| **A Veteran Owned Business** | Mercury Transportation Solutions LLC Houston, Texas Mobile / WhatsApp: 724.272.5173 [bkostef@mercurytx.com](mailto:bkostef@mercurytx.com) l [www.mercuryresources.com](http://www.mercuryresources.com/?ref=steel-veritas.ghost.io) |
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