The trucking shortage in the US has shifted from drivers to vehicles. Truckers spent most of last year struggling with truck driver shortages. However, with the effects of the pandemic reducing, more drivers have been hired. At the same time, there has been better payment luring more workers. However, solving one problem hasn't been enough; now, the industry has a new challenge to deal with.
According to the Financial Times, equipment shortage has become even worse. Initially, the pandemic was the main cause of the shortage. Currently, the situation between Ukraine and Russia has made it even worse. The standoff between the two countries has cut off the supply of many major components. In addition, the lockdowns in China haven't made it any easier for manufacturers in the US. The same poses a significant threat to the US and, eventually, the global supply chain.
From drivers to trucks shortage
Tim Denoyer noted that driver shortage had been the issue for the past two years. However, he added that at the moment, the biggest challenge for the supply chain is the truck shortage. Rico Luman revealed that some truck makers are currently not accepting new orders. Most of them have large backlogs and are afraid of adding any more. In addition, some are afraid of demands that would take a long time to work on since material prices would have risen by then. Due to these shortages, older trucks are now going at the same prices as the new ones.
Truck drivers' numbers have risen immensely in the recent past. Higher pay has made the industry more attractive to these workers. At the same time, the reduction of the omicron strain has made more drivers available. Better working conditions have also played a part in attracting this new crop of drivers. The only thing left is to strike a balance between the aging retirees and the numbers being recruited. As the driver issues subside, the industry is now worried about trucks. However, it's expected that all will fall back in place for the US supply chain once the pandemic is entirely behind us.
