OTRI: Outbound Tender Reject Index
The percentage of contracted truckload requests that carriers reject.
The Outbound Tender Reject Index (OTRI) measures the share of electronically tendered loads that contracted carriers turn down. When carriers can find higher-paying spot loads, they reject more contracted freight — and OTRI rises. It is one of the earliest leading indicators of spot rate movement, typically leading spot $/mile by 4–8 weeks.
Who publishes it
FreightWaves SONAR (proprietary, derived from tender data across hundreds of shippers).
How to read it
- Below 4% — loose market, shippers in control, spot rates likely falling.
- 4–6% — balanced market, mild upward pressure on spot.
- Above 6% — tight market, carriers in control, spot rates rising fast.
- Above 10% — severe capacity crunch (e.g., 2020 holiday peak, 2021 Q2).
Why it matters
OTRI is the single best leading indicator that contract rates will need to rise. Procurement teams watch the 4-week trend to time RFP cycles — bidding into a falling OTRI saves money; bidding into a rising one locks in pain.
Frequently asked questions
What does OTRI stand for?
Outbound Tender Reject Index. It tracks the percentage of contracted loads that carriers reject when shippers send electronic tenders.
What is a healthy OTRI value?
Historically, 5–7% is considered balanced. Below 4% signals loose capacity (good for shippers); above 8% signals tight capacity (good for carriers).
How does OTRI predict spot rates?
Rising OTRI means carriers are abandoning contracts for higher spot loads. That demand pressure typically pushes national spot $/mile up within 4–8 weeks.
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