Recent change in drivers' hours of service rules and the escalating cost of fuel has resulted in a greater demand than supply of available truckload carriers nationwide,
according to Mark Wyman, partner in PMC Logistics Services, a third-party logistics company.
And the situation, he says, is likely to get worse.
"As tight as capacity has been over the first six months of this year, it will grow even tighter over the next six months with the expected annual surge of imports into the U.S.," says Wyman. "Simply put, there is too much freight and not enough trucks."
"The shortage of drivers coupled with the surge in our economy, has further heightened the capacity issue," says Tom Dromey, Wyman's partner at the Massachusetts-based company.
Wyman says that, while some regional and national less-than-truckload (LTL) carriers have been overburdened because of the loss of competitors and capacity to business failure, it is primarily truckload carriers that have been forced to turn away business due to lack of personnel or equipment.
"The best means to secure trucks is with as much advance notice as possible," recommends Dromey. "Better pricing and availability can be achieved through greater lead time. You will have much better success when giving at least 24 to 48 hours than when requesting same day moves."
Wyman says PMC Logistics is urging its clients to plan properly and educate their supplier and customer base.
"Do as much planning up front as possible, and let your vendors and customers know what is going on so they are not taken by surprise," says Wyman.