The current coronavirus pandemic is pushing consumers to stockpile supplies, thus increasing the urgency and frequency of shipments for restocking supplies. Due to the surge in retailers and e-commerce distributors' needs to restock, van and reefer spot rates are sharply increasing. Truck wait times at pickup and delivery are getting longer.

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Truckers continue to deal with new challenges due to coronavirus constraints on truck stops and shipper and receiver facilities while the growing demand for medical supplies and consumer essentials continues. In some states, rest stop restaurant dining rooms are closed and takeout food is the only option. Pennsylvania, one of the major shipping lanes connecting the Midwest and the East Coast, shut-down state operated rest stops. This is posing issues for drivers who go through states like Pennsylvania--where rest is critical to ensure driver safety and supply chain efficiency. Due to these concerns, 13 Pennsylvania rest stops will be reopened today. 

Truckers are facing a slew of other constraints including:

• Movement from paper documentation to electronic documentation at shippers and receivers
• Drivers are asked to remain in their trucks at shippers and receivers
• If drivers have been in coronavirus hotspots, some customers are having drivers sign off on documents stating they are not sick
• Drivers cannot use facilities in shippers and receivers' buildings, such as restrooms

The American Trucking Associations (ATA) industry group is pushing for rest stops to remain open and for the government to issue guidelines on truck driver health. This is necessary to keep shipments moving, ensure critical supplies are transported, and maintain supply chain efficiency during this time of crisis.

Lastly, trucking capacity is tightening due to demand to move shipments from manufacturers to retailers and warehouses, as COVID-19 is pushing consumers to deplete stores of supplies. Since February 29, the average spot market rate is up 6.1%.

​With Chinese exports coming almost to a near collapse with record lows in 7 years, we are beginning to see some dry exports building back up with exports to Australia. However we are seeing a change in normal supply and demand across the board for goods and manufacturing pieces coming out of China. At ATTS, we are keeping our eyes on the epidemic in China as this directly impacts our customers. While material shortages and work stoppages both inside and outside China are causing disruption to our customers, we are committed to ensuring as smooth a transition as possible through this time of uncertainty.  Once the fear begins to subside and we have a solid timeline for work resumption in China, we anticipate business will be booming as companies try to make up for the Q1 slowdown due to COVID-19.