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.  

​With the changes coming to the logistics industry with the advent of automation, ATTS INC prides itself on delivering outstanding service while mixing the old with the new. We strive to provide our clients the feeling of security that comes with working with humans, and not just machines. We utilize human critical thinking and problem solving skills, along with cutting edge technology, to ensure freight is delivered on time and at a competitive rate. This allows us to build great relationships with our clients, the life blood of the freight industry. ATTS INC welcomes the future and embraces the changes that are coming in the industry, without sacrificing what matters most to our clients! At ATTS INC we want our clients to know we handle all the details.

Analysts at Morgan Stanley predict decreased truck capacity in 2020, translating to higher truckload rates. The five reasons they believe decreased truck capacity will occur include: 

1.) Carriers have to convert to the electronic logging device (ELD) by tomorrow, December 17. The ELD rule takes full effect and the AORBD exemption ends. 

2.) Carrier insurance premiums have been on the rise due to catastrophic accidents. Carriers have seen over a 50% increase in premiums. 

3.) Drivers' failed alcohol or drug tests that initially went unreported will be required to be entered into a federal database on January 6, 2020. 

4.) On January 1st, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) regulation begins. This regulation seeks to put a 0.5% restriction on sulphur emissions in 2020. Currently, the mandate is 3.5% and the maritime industry will move toward fuels composed of less sulphur-- i.e. diesel. Diesel prices are expected to rise by up to 30%, which will highly impact small truckload carriers. 

5.) On January 1st, the California AB 5 rule goes into effect. This rule will affect carriers who  do business in California and will require indepent contract carriers to operate as company employees. Some carriers are looking to reduce operations in California. 

For these reasons, rates are expected to increase in 2020--potentially back up to 2018 levels. 

More information on this matter is available here. 

LME Inc., a less-than-truckload carrier out of Minnesota, abruptly shut its doors last week. The shuttering of this 600-employee operation  "is an indication that trucking companies that are poorly run could be in deep trouble if the economy slows" (Economist Noel Perry Warns of More Shutdowns After LME Padlocks Doors, Transport Topics, 16 Jul 2019). Besides LME, other trucking companies have also shut their doors this year. This is exemplary of both a slowdown in the trucking industry and signs of a weakening economy. 

Other carriers who shut their doors this year include: New England Motor Freight (a Northeastern LTL carrier), TFI International Inc.'s Highland Transport Division (cross-border unit operating in  the Northeast), Eastern Connection (regional freight carrier in the Northeast), Falcon Transport (Ohio-based carrier who hauled a lot of freight to and from General Motor's Lordstown, Ohio, plant), and Starlite Trucking Inc. (California-based agricultural products hauler).  

There is a lot of competition in the trucking industry right now, and companies who are not making enough money cannot stay afloat long enough to remain in business.