Labour shortages hinder US freight boom

According to the findings, 75% of freight companies report strong demand. However, 25% cite workforce shortages as the most significant issue impacting their operations, more than any other challenge.

Other key issues include rising diesel prices (23%) and major unforeseen disruptions (16%).

“The labour crisis in the trucking industry has been a ticking time bomb for years, and the fuse is only getting shorter,” said Jack Turner, editor of Tech.co.

“Unless the industry can attract more people, especially younger generations, it risks losing huge volumes of potential business.”

With 15% of freight firms naming staff recruitment and retention as a top priority this quarter – third only to vehicle upkeep (23%) and managing financial pressure (21%) – many are seeking proactive solutions.

Among the companies focused on staffing, 8% plan to provide better training and development opportunities, while others aim to enhance recruitment efforts (7%) and improve work-life balance for drivers (6%).

Bianca Prieto, editor of The Inside Lane trucking newsletter, noted, “What stands out in this data is how clearly workforce shortages are emerging as a top threat to freight growth, even more than diesel costs or regulations.

“The industry isn’t lacking opportunity – it’s lacking manpower.”