It’s hard to believe we are 15 years past Y2K — the thoughts of a major world computer catastrophe have turned to a potential world of driverless trucks and drone package delivery. With change come challenges, and with those challenges come opportunities.
Moving into 2015, we are going to be continually provoked by an ever-stretched infrastructure that is burdened and severely constrained by a strong grip of government regulations. Until we start seeing solid investment in our transportation infrastructure, congestion in our ports and on our highways will constrict capacity. Too often we forget that more than 90 percent of our U.S. trucking companies have less than six trucks and we have to work hard to keep them strong and keep them moving. One key issue of increased carrier insurance requirements will not help the situation, only adding additional costs to an already-pressured economic model. Continued efforts from industry stakeholders to fix the CSA system are going to remain a major objective. The laundry list goes on, including ELDs, hours-of-sevice, and a severe driver shortage. If early indicators of a robust 2015 economy also exist, the phrase capacity crunch will be the most popular phrase in transportation.
It was George Patton who said, “Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” As we start the new year, we accept the challenges that are placed in front of us. True collaboration from shippers, carriers and 3PLs will continue to fuel America’s dominance in managing cost-efficient sophisticated supply chains. Training and empowering the most talented logistics professionals in the world will only strengthen our efforts. By solidly committing to investing in our technology, people and infrastructure and letting our voice be heard in Washington, we will experience those victories.
Geoff Turner, President and CEO, Choptank Transport