Just when we thought we had been through it all in 2009, what a year 2010 was. Trucking companies were forced to sharpen their thinking, read the marketplace in new ways and change their business models by diversifying and expanding their account base to ensure a sustainable business.
Several key challenges face the industry in 2011, including the new chassis service model, possible hours-of-service changes, highway reauthorization, CSA 2010, recruitment of owner operators and tight U.S. truck capacity.
Most major ocean carriers have confirmed they will no longer be providing chassis for merchant haulage container moves. Several companies are making daily chassis leasing available to trucking companies as this market segment evolves with new alternatives.
This new U.S. model allows drayage operators to concentrate on their core business by permitting more moves per day, potentially increasing revenue and assuring good order equipment. This also reduces diesel-related emissions.
CSA 2010 will eliminate unsafe drivers, but it places greater pressure on the current shortage of drivers. Capacity is expected to remain tight as carriers buying trucks are replacing capacity rather than increasing fleets. A shortage is likely in multiple markets where companies have either gone out of business or decided to pull out.
Drayage rates in these markets will see healthy, market-driven increases, growing 7 to 10 percent over 2010. These rate adjustments reflect the margin necessary to assist the drivers’ ability to earn a competitive income and retain their services. It is critical the industry stays ahead of these trends, as the alternative is driver, rate and service instability.