3 Tips to Overcome Truck Scarcity Impeding U.S. Import & Export Logistics

Universal Cargo Management’s last blog looked at how the next phase of the Clean Truck Plan at the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach could cause shippers to see an increase in trucking costs for goods being imported and exported through the Los Angeles area.

As we head into 2012, trucking costs look to be ready to increase all over the country with the dock requirement changes at the ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles being just one factor affecting ground shipments in the U.S.

The big problem shippers will have to face is a supply scarcity of commercial trucks.

This shortage of trucks has been predicted for the last two years, according to an article from American Shipper, and is now becoming a reality. The article goes on to quote freight industry economist Noël Perry as saying, “Sometime in 2012 there is a reasonable probability of sporadic supply chain failures based on capacity.”

No one likes to see their costs increase in business, but much worse is a supply chain failure. Imagine importing goods but not being able to get them on the shelves or to your customers. If you have a deal where you’re exporting goods, your global business partners won’t be happy if you can’t get the goods to the port in time to make your ocean freight cut off.

To help you avoid supply chain failures, here are tips on how to prepare for the trucking scarcity faced by the logistics industry.

TIP # 1 – NURTURE RELATIONSHIPS WITH TRUCKING COMPANIES

Whether you’re doing local or global business, business is about relationships. Truckers and trucking companies will be in the power seat, choosing with whom they do business. Forming strong relationships with them will make it more likely they choose you when they are presented with more opportunities than they have trucks to handle.

TIP # 2 – SHIP OUTSIDE OF PEAK SEASON

If you can manage it, plan your shipments outside of peak shipping seasons. Obviously, shipping when less people are trying to move their goods decreases your risk of not being able to procure trucking.

TIP # 3 – LET UCM HANDLE THE TRUCKING WITH YOUR IMPORTS AND EXPORTS

With over 25 years in the business, Universal Cargo Management has the relationships and know-how to make your importing and exporting run smoothly from ocean freight and air shipments to customs and trucking.

For a rate quote that includes trucking, click here.