Trucking Weekly Brief: May 27–June 2, 2025
From shifts in freight market dynamics and driver shortage discussions to the stability offered by private fleets and crucial regulatory updates, here’s the most relevant trucking industry news from the past week:
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U.S. Trailer Orders See Sharp Decline in April
U.S. trailer orders experienced a significant drop in April, falling below 9,400 units, a 57% decrease from March and 32% year-over-year, according to ACT Research. This decline was somewhat anticipated, as many shippers had expedited their shipments earlier to preempt potential tariff impacts. Experts predict a mild remainder of the year for the trucking sector, influenced by factors such as full inventories, high interest rates, and ongoing policy shifts. This trend suggests a period of softer demand for new equipment, potentially leading to stable or declining spot rates for carriers as existing capacity proves sufficient.
Published: May 27, 2025
Trucking News: May 27th, 2025 - Truck. Rail. Import. Export. -
May 2025 Freight Market Update: Ocean Imports Rise, Road Capacity Stable
WeFreight’s May 2025 update highlights a dynamic freight market, with U.S. ocean container imports in April 2025 increasing by 1.2% over March and 9.1% year-on-year, exceeding 2.4 million TEUs. Despite this surge in inbound volumes, the U.S. road freight sector continues to experience excess truck capacity, which is expected to keep land transportation prices stable. The significant influx of frontloaded freight, particularly from China, is also driving a heightened demand for warehousing and storage solutions across the nation. This indicates a shift in supply chain pressure from transportation to storage, creating potential bottlenecks in warehousing and distribution.
Published: May 27, 2025
May Freight Market Update: Key Trends in 2025 -
“The Great Driver Shortage” in 2025: A Myth Debunked?
A recent FreightWaves article challenges the long-standing narrative of a widespread truck driver shortage in the U.S. for 2025, labeling it a “myth” that has persisted for years. The author argues this narrative often resurfaces during shifts in freight volumes or regulatory changes. The article criticizes the reliance on limited data, such as job board advertisements over a mere two-week period, as insufficient to accurately assess an industry with millions of drivers. It suggests that the trucking community has been misled by unreliable data, leading to misinterpretations of market dynamics and potentially misdirected industry efforts.
Published: May 27, 2025
The ‘Great Driver Shortage’ Myth - FreightWaves -
Private Fleets Bolster Stability Amidst Sluggish Freight Market
Private fleets are proving to be a stable force in the U.S. trucking market, maintaining strength even as rates decline in the for-hire sector. Major shippers are increasing investments in their private transportation, expanding capacity and adding drivers, prioritizing reliability, service quality, safety, and control over mere cost savings. These fleets report significantly higher driver retention, with an average tenure of nearly 10 years and approximately 20% annual turnover, a stark contrast to the much higher rates in the for-hire sector. This trend suggests a growing preference among drivers for the better work-life balance and predictable routes often found in private fleets, potentially impacting talent acquisition for for-hire carriers.
Published: June 1, 2025
Private fleets drive stability in a sluggish freight market - Logistics Management
Tools & Tips
The trucking industry continues to embrace technological advancements aimed at enhancing both operational efficiency and driver well-being. The adoption of new tools is increasingly driven by a desire for competitive advantage and improved driver experience, moving beyond mere regulatory compliance.
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Anyline Commercial Tire Tread Scanner: This innovative tool leverages artificial intelligence and a smartphone camera to accurately measure tire tread depth, digitally recording the data and linking it to specific vehicle identification numbers. It provides a digital model of the tire, significantly improving efficiency and accuracy in tire maintenance, a critical aspect of safety and operational cost management. This allows for proactive identification of wear, enhancing tire longevity and reducing inspection times, directly impacting uptime and compliance.
HDT's Top 20 Products 2025 - Equipment - Trucking Info -
Garmin dēzl OTR1010 Advanced GPS: Designed specifically for professional drivers, the 2025 Garmin dēzl OTR1010 offers truck-specific routing, real-time traffic updates, and advanced lane guidance on a large 10-inch screen. It integrates features like load-to-dock navigation and Hours of Service (HOS) compliance tracking, streamlining trip planning and execution. This system enhances efficiency and safety by ensuring optimal routing and helping drivers stay within legal limits.
The Best Gear for Truck Drivers in 2025 | Drive My Way
Fun Fact
The Unseen Backbone: Trucking’s Indispensable Role in the U.S. Economy
Did you know that the trucking industry moves approximately 11 billion tons of goods annually, accounting for about 70% of all goods transported across the United States? This vital sector is so critical that without it, the U.S. would face a major food shortage within less than 72 hours, manufacturing would halt in mere hours, and hospitals would be left without essential medical supplies. Generating nearly a trillion dollars in revenue and employing millions, trucking truly is the ultimate backbone of the American nation, impacting almost every industry’s operations daily.
33+ Trucking Facts Worth Your Time | Road Legends Blog | Road Legends
We’d love to hear from you!
Have you participated in any trucking events or utilized new trucking tools recently? Share your experiences or insights with us—we’re featuring selected community voices in next week’s edition.
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