Managing a Mass Disruption to Trucking

adam • April 17, 2024

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Logistics doesn’t operate in a vacuum. As shippers know, even the best-laid plans and well-oiled supply chains can be upended in minutes due to an external disruption, whether it’s a pandemic, a geopolitical conflict, or a natural disaster.

The latest disruption was the tragic collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge near Baltimore after a container ship struck one of the bridge’s piers. Here are seven headlines to stay up to date on the latest happenings at the Port of Baltimore, along with other news in the supply chain and trucking industry:

Relief Efforts for the Francis Scott Key Bridge

The U.S. agency that governs trucking, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA), extended its emergency declaration for drivers who are providing assistance related to the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

As Trucking Dive reported, the emergency declaration relaxes electronic logging device regulations for drivers supporting relief efforts. The declaration extends the 11-hour driving time restriction by two hours.

State governments have also taken action. Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia waived International Fuel Tax Association requirements for truck drivers hauling to or from the port. Maryland extended the tax deadline from April 30 to June 30. Virginia issued 30-day permits for container hauling until the end of the emergency.

Access to the Port of Baltimore

As local trucking companies and state governments work on relief efforts, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is working to open a limited access channel to the Port of Baltimore, according to an article in Supply Chain Dive.

The channel will be limited to 280 feet wide and 35 feet deep and will be used by barge container traffic and roll-on/roll-off vessels, helping with the transport of items such as automobiles and farm equipment. It is expected to open by the end of this month.

The permanent channel, which is 700 feet wide and 50 feet deep, should reopen by the end of May.

Truckers Find Workarounds

In the meantime, logistics companies are coming up with creative solutions to keep freight moving. Evans Delivery Company’s Land Transportation brand devised a “Drop Lot” solution, according to the American Journal of Transportation.

Baltimore truckers can drop off containers in a lot along I-95, about 40 miles north of Richmond. From there, Norfolk drivers pick up the containers and haul them over to the Port of Virginia for shipment. The system works in reverse, too.

The system helps smaller and medium-sized trucking companies, which may not have as large a network or ease of access to transfer cargo insurance between partners. The solution also deploys artificial intelligence to track cargo throughout the supply chain and help the various parties communicate in real time.

XPO Greenlights Yellow Terminals

In other logistics news, LTL carrier XPO is beginning to open up service centers that it acquired from the bankrupt trucking company Yellow, formerly called YRC.

Yellow held an auction back in December, and XPO made a bid for Yellow’s terminals. XPO ended up purchasing 26 owned terminals and two leased terminals from the bankrupt firm, FreightWaves reported. In total, that’s about 2,900 doors – a 10% to 15% increase in XPO’s total door capacity.

So far, XPO has opened three facilities: one in Nashville, Tennessee; another in Grand Junction, Colorado; and the third in Nogales, Arizona. That brings XPO’s total service centers to 297.

“With a deeper presence in strategic markets, we are introducing new premium services and expanding our existing offerings, such as our cross-border service with Mexico,” said XPO CEO Mario Harik.

XPO isn’t the only LTL carrier opening up terminals that formerly belonged to Yellow. Saia acquired 28 terminals from Yellow and opened one of them this month in Missoula, Montana. Meanwhile, Roadrunner opened a facility in Atlanta that used to be operated by Yellow.

A Normalizing Truck Market

LTL carriers might be speedily opening up terminals, but truck OEMs are starting to see a slowdown as the market normalizes.

According to Transport Topics, Daimler Truck North America sold 46,220 trucks and buses in Q1. While it seems like a hefty number, it’s actually a 5% YOY decrease. The manufacturer, which owns brands such as Freightliner and Western Star, sold 48,891 trucks and buses in the first quarter of 2023.

The OEM is seeing a normalizing marketing across its truck segments and its geographies. For global sales this year, the company expects to sell between 490,000 and 510,00 vehicles, a drop from last year’s 526,053 vehicles.

“Reasons for the normalization include the persistently challenging economic conditions and the absence of catchup effects from pent-up demand that was exceptionally high during the previous two years,” Daimler Truck Chairman Martin Daum said.

But one segment is bucking the trend. Daimler’s battery-electric sales jumped 183% to 813 units, up from 287 in Q1 2023.

Calling All Truck Drivers

Despite a slight slowdown in truck manufacturing, trucking demand remains high, and so does the need for drivers.

The FMCSA proposed a rule that would help fill the need for drivers by loosening testing regulations for commercial driver's licenses (CDL). The rule would do a few things, FreightWaves reported. It would allow commercial learner’s permit (CLP) holders who passed CDL skills tests to operate trucks without CDL holders sitting on the passenger’s side. The proposed rule would also allow CDL applicants to take skills tests outside of their home states. Finally, the rule would eliminate a 14-day waiting period after receiving a CLP to take the CDL skills test.

As with any regulation, the rule has some strong advocates as well as some staunch opponents.

The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association opposes the FMCSA’s proposed rule. It worries that drivers won’t receive adequate mentorship or training in challenging conditions if a CDL holder is not in the passenger seat. Safety advocates fear what the streamlined rules could do for FMCSA’s safety objectives.

But the American Trucking Associations believes the rule would streamline the process and attract more drivers to the field. The group pegs the driver shortage reaching 160,000 by 2030. The Commercial Vehicle Training Association also supports the rule, particularly revisions that shorten wait times related to license processing.

TikTok’s Trucker

An unconventional method might draw more people into the trucking workforce.

A social media creator dubbed “Alex the Trucking Guy” has accrued more than a million and a half followers across Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube as he documents what it’s like to be a truck driver.

“I started posting behind-the-scenes contents of the life of a truck driver, like who we are and really putting a face to these giant machines that you see on the road,” the content creator told Fox Business.

Alex eventually got into the trucking industry after dropping out of college and realizing a degree wasn’t for him. He aims to show that trade professions can be a great option for many people who want steady careers without accruing student loan debt.

Keeping Supply Chains Moving in the Face of Disruption

In the supply chain industry, risk is unpredictable, and disruption could happen at the blink of an eye. Entourage Freight Solutions provides steady services that can help you navigate a turbulent logistics environment and receive important information in real time. Entourage Freight Solutions offers the following services, and many more:

Our LTL service provides on-demand access to capacity, along with real-time data and peace of mind in this high-stakes world.
Our Freight Management lets your team stay organized across inbound and outbound logistics, tracking market capacity and using automation notifications to keep everyone informed.
Our Refrigerated transport provides expertise in everything from finished goods to raw materials, ensuring products arrive on time and in top condition.

Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can solve your key logistics pain points.

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Tariffs, Trade Policy, and the Great Freight Fallout

By Nick Terry • April 28, 2025

In 2025, trade policy is no longer something that the freight industry can leave on the back burner. Trade policy today is shaping strategy at every level. From tariff escalations and retaliatory duties to sweeping regulatory changes and targeted maritime fees, supply chain leaders are navigating a freight market in which unpredictability is the only constant. Sourcing decisions are shifting, pricing dynamics are unstable, and long-standing operational models are being rewritten in real time. This edition brings together key stories highlighting the growing pressure across logistics channels. Each development points to an industry moving fast, and often reactively, to keep pace with volatile policy decisions. Tariffs Stall US Freight Recovery as Shippers Pause Orders The recent move by the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to impose entrance fees on Chinese-built ships calling U.S. ports has only added to the confusion and uncertainty gripping global supply chains and freight operations. Shippers are pausing plans and slashing orders, with truckload volumes, containerized imports, and manufacturing output all showing signs of contraction. Ocean freight spot rates have collapsed: Asia-U.S. West Coast rates have fallen 61% since January to $2,050 per FEU, while East Coast rates have dropped 53.7% to $3,100 per FEU . Blank sailings are rising, with vessels leaving Asia half-empty. Amazon and Five Below are among the major retailers reducing orders from Asia. Container imports jumped 15.3% in 2024, but forecasts now predict a 20-27% decline through the summer. Exporters, particularly agriculture and forestry suppliers, are also squeezed, facing 125% retaliatory tariffs from China. Truckload and intermodal rates remain stagnant, while U.S. factory output fell sharply in March. US Apparel Importers Brace for Long-Term Volume Declines According to Trade Partnership Worldwide, a 124.1% tariff on Chinese clothing and footwear is expected to reduce U.S. apparel imports by 1.6% annually . China still accounts for 41.7% of apparel shipments, leaving limited flexibility for diversion. The American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA) is warning of price hikes and mounting infrastructure stress as sourcing pivots toward Vietnam, India, and Indonesia. A looming May 2 deadline for de minimis exemptions could further complicate flows and delay deliveries. Even with a temporary 90-day pause in reciprocal tariffs, the policy uncertainty already affects long-term planning. AAFA CEO Steve Lamar calls the shifting policies “chaotic,” and warned that high tariff pressure will hit both importers and U.S. manufacturers reliant on Chinese components. Port and rail capacity limitations at larger gateways are adding to concerns. Retailers now face rising costs, shrinking margins, and operational delays — all while consumer demand continues to shift rapidly. Freight Pricing Gains Lose Momentum According to the TD Cowen/AFS Freight Index, Q1 truckload rates rose 5.9% above the 2018 baseline, but are expected to decline slightly in Q2. Shippers are responding to tariff threats with aggressive front-loading and shorter-haul routes, driving per-shipment costs to three-year lows. LTL carriers remain focused on profitable lanes and high-quality freight rather than chasing volume. The index forecasts a 0.7% year-over-year increase in LTL rate per pound for Q2 , despite sustained demand softness and macro uncertainty. A key driver behind the softening spot market conditions is a shift to shorter hauls and regionalized distribution, pushing per-shipment costs to their lowest point in more than three years. This trend reflects how retailers and manufacturers are repositioning inventory in response to tariff volatility, as NRF’s Jonathan Gold and DAT analyst Dean Croke noted. Meanwhile, the LTL sector is seeing a 4% rise in fuel surcharges, offsetting lower weights and shorter hauls. With the freight market still under pressure after 26 months of contraction, optimism remains subdued as we enter the midyear period. US Truckload Freight Spot Rates Continue to Fluctuate National benchmark rates have experienced a decline across all categories. As of April 18, dry van decreased by 4 cents to $1.62, reefer by 2 cents to $1.88 , and flatbed by 3 cents to $2.16. This marked the first overall decrease since late January, signaling potential shifts in market dynamics. These changes can be attributed to factors such as tariff uncertainties and tighter capacity, especially affecting the flatbed market. Flatbed rates rely heavily on manufacturing activity in the country, which has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing trade war with China, and to some extent, with the rest of the world. US Finalizes Tiered Fee Plan Targeting Chinese Ships The U.S. is moving forward with a revised plan to levy voyage-based fees on Chinese-owned and Chinese-built ships calling at American ports. The U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) announced the measure as part of a broader Trump administration effort to counter China’s dominance in shipbuilding and logistics while reigniting domestic ship construction and port infrastructure investment. Starting in six months, Chinese operators will be charged $50 per net ton, with an annual increase of $30 for three years . Non-Chinese carriers using Chinese-built vessels will face lower rates, beginning at $18 per ton or $120 per container, with annual increases. The USTR capped fee applications at five voyages per vessel annually, scaling back its original, more punitive per-port-call proposal after intense industry pushback. The fees are tied to findings from a USTR investigation, which concluded that China’s shipbuilding dominance — producing 29% of global fleet capacity and 70% of all container ships on order — stemmed from unfair trade practices. Exemptions apply to ships arriving empty, those in the Great Lakes or U.S. territories, and some bulk exports. LNG vessel transport restrictions will phase in over 22 years to support U.S. production. China’s largest container carrier, Cosco Shipping Lines, has sharply criticized the USTR’s plan. In a strongly worded statement, Cosco labeled the move as “discriminatory,” and warned it would disrupt global industrial and supply chain stability. Cosco denied allegations from that USTR investigation that claimed China manipulated its shipping and shipbuilding sectors to gain an unfair advantage. The carrier said it upholds “integrity, transparency, and compliance” in global competition and remains committed to ensuring the resilience of international trade. Walmart Investing $6B in Mexico, Central America Store Expansion Walmart of Mexico and Central America will invest $6 billion to open new stores across the region , reinforcing its long-term commitment to growth in Latin America. The expansion will include Bodega Aurrera, Walmart Supercenters, Sam’s Club, and Walmart Express formats, building on a robust network of 3,200 stores across all 32 Mexican states. This latest move echoes Walmart’s earlier $1.3 billion investment in 2016 for regional distribution and operational upgrades. The retailer entered the Mexican market in 1991 with a Sam’s Club in Mexico City. In a statement, Walmart said the new expansion reflects confidence in the region’s economic potential and consumer demand. Globally, Walmart continues to invest aggressively in infrastructure and store development. The company has pledged about $4.5 billion for its Canadian operations and $1.3 billion in Chile to build 70 new stores and a distribution center. In the U.S., Walmart is executing a five-year plan to build or convert more than 150 stores while modernizing 650 existing locations under its “Store of the Future” initiative. Experience Seamless Shipping with Entourage Freight Solutions Entourage Freight Solutions believes in total transparency in the shipping process. That is why we invest in tech solutions that track every shipment extensively, monitor every driver, and extract every bit of efficiency without sacrificing quality. Our state-of-the-art platform utilizes cloud-based GPS tracking to keep you informed, reroutes shipments on the fly to avoid delays, and even responds to real-time market changes to ensure you receive your shipment on time and as soon as possible. Our Services Full Truck Load (FTL): When you need a truck all to yourself. Less-Than-Truckload (LTL): Efficient solutions for multi-stop shipments or combining smaller loads to save on costs. Refrigerated Trucking: Keeping your temperature-sensitive products fresh and safe. Cross-Docking: Strategically located facilities in Shelby, Ohio, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and Romulus, Michigan, for streamlined consolidation, storage, and distribution. Ready to experience a new level of service and control in your freight shipping? Request a quote today to see how Entourage Freight Solutions can help with your freight movement and other supply chain needs.