US Trucking Crisis Continues

by | May 8, 2018

A severe shortage of truck drivers in the United States is continuing to drive increases, with trucking costs reportedly rising between 8 and 15% last quarter.

The US driver shortage has been a concern for years, but the strengthened economy, increased demand in consumer products and introduction of the Electronic Logging Device (ELD), have all contributed to the current crisis.

The American Trucking Association (ATA) recently announced a shortage of 51,000 truck drivers nationwide, predicting that number will rise to 100,000 in the next three years.

Infrastructure and growing congestion in U.S. Ports and Terminals has been an additional burden for container truckers, who have also been impacted by the introduction of mega sized container ships. It is widely suggested that many U.S. ports, especially on the East Coast, were not ready to handle such large volumes at once.

At this stage it is difficult to envisage a short term fix.

UniOcean Lines encourage importers and exporters to ensure early customs entries are submitted. This will help ensure trucking is arranged as early as possible to avoid rent and demurrage being incurred.

 

Follow Us:

21st Century Representation

Interested in the many benefits of UniOcean Lines representation? Please complete our online Application Form.

The 21st Century Carrier

Find out how we combine the best of carrier and the best of local services through common goals.

More News…..

Import Highs for Transpacific Market

Import Highs for Transpacific Market

In the month of December, container imports to the US form Asia increased by 30% on the same month the previous year, with the rush to beat new import tariffs being the leading cause.Two west coast gateways - Los Angeles and Long Beach, saw a large surge of imports...

US Congestion Spreads To MidWest

US Congestion Spreads To MidWest

US container congestion has now spread to the Midwest, with cargo owners facing delays and demurrage bills costing thousands as containers stockpile in both Memphis and Chicago.Large surges of imports into Los Angeles and Long Beach in December caused major congestion...

Hats Off to the Panama Canal

Hats Off to the Panama Canal

  The Panama Canal has been winning back its market share of round the world trips since its major upgrade two years ago. The strategic canal opened enlarged locks in 2016 to increase the capacity size of ships that could navigate the waterway. The lock upgrade...

Share This