The Role of Communication in Expedited Trucking

Nick Terry • January 31, 2024

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Imagine a small, rural hospital facing an urgent crisis: their only MRI machine has broken down, and a patient with a suspected brain aneurysm needs an immediate scan. The nearest replacement part for the machine, a critical magnetic coil, is over 500 miles away. Enter Mike, an experienced driver in the expedited trucking industry, who receives the call for this emergency delivery.

As Mike sets off in the early hours, his dispatcher, Sarah, is already mapping out the fastest, safest route. She keeps an eye on live traffic updates and weather forecasts, ensuring Mike avoids any delays. Their communication is constant and efficient, with Sarah relaying information about potential road closures and Mike providing progress updates.

Back at the hospital, tensions run high. Yet, the trucking company's customer service team maintains a steady line of communication with the hospital, providing reassurance and real-time updates on the magnetic coil's arrival.

This scenario isn't just a story; it's a day in the life of the expedited trucking industry, where such high-pressure situations are routine. Here, communication goes beyond talking over the radio or sending emails. It’s a key strategic principle that can mean the difference between life and death.

Enhancing Operational Efficiency through Communication

Effective communication is a building block of smooth operations in expedited trucking. It isn't just about passing messages; it’s about creating a seamless flow between dispatchers and drivers to ensure timely deliveries and happy customers.

Streamlining Dispatch and Driver Interactions

Clear and concise communication between dispatchers and drivers is fundamental to the smooth running of any trucking operation. Dispatchers are orchestrators and direct drivers to their destinations while often managing multiple routes and schedules simultaneously. Drivers, as the executors, navigate through unpredictable roads and weather conditions. This dynamic duo must work in perfect harmony to avoid costly delays and errors and allow for swift adjustments and decision-making. It's all about understanding and being understood.

Leveraging Technology for Better Communication

Technology has revolutionized how dispatchers and drivers communicate, making information exchange faster, more reliable, and more efficient. For instance, real-time data sharing and GPS tracking have become indispensable tools in expedited trucking by providing a live view of vehicle locations, enabling dispatchers to make informed decisions, and relaying accurate information to drivers and clients. At the same time, these tools combined enable dynamic routing. Dispatchers can reroute drivers based on traffic conditions, road closures, or weather issues, minimizing delays and enhancing delivery predictability.

Solving Problems and Improving Safety with Effective Communication

The benefits of effective communication go beyond staying on schedule. Communication is also a vital tool for problem-solving and enhancing safety. With the right communication strategies, managing both expected and unexpected challenges efficiently and safely is achievable.

Quick Resolution of On-Road Challenges

Imagine a driver encountering an unexpected road closure or a cargo issue. As we showed in our intro, instant and clear communication with the dispatch team can be the difference between a minor hiccup and a major delay. With real-time communication, dispatchers can quickly assess the situation, provide alternative routes, or offer solutions to cargo-related issues. This responsiveness ensures the prompt resolution of problems, minimizes downtime, and keeps schedules on track.

Ensuring Driver Safety through Advanced Communication Tools

Driver safety is paramount, and advanced communication tools play a critical role. Telematics systems, for instance, provide vital data on vehicle performance and driver behavior, enabling proactive maintenance and safer driving practices. Custom mobile applications are another boon. They offer drivers easy access to essential information without the distraction of handling multiple devices or paperwork. These apps can send alerts about weather conditions, traffic updates, or route changes, allowing drivers to focus on the road with fewer distractions.

Building a Supportive Trucking Community

Finally, building a supportive community is essential for driver well-being and job satisfaction in the often-solitary world of trucking.

Fostering Team Spirit and Driver Engagement

The rise of social media and digital platforms has opened new avenues for drivers to connect, share experiences, and support each other, regardless of their physical location. Online forums, social media groups, and dedicated apps allow drivers to engage in real-time conversations, exchange tips, and celebrate each other’s successes. This digital camaraderie fosters a sense of belonging and team spirit, which is crucial in an industry where isolation can be challenging. Moreover, companies can leverage these platforms to recognize driver achievements, share important updates, and gather feedback, nurturing a culture of inclusivity and loyalty.

The Impact of Communication on Driver Satisfaction

Effective communication goes beyond just passing information; it enhances driver satisfaction. When drivers feel heard and valued, their job satisfaction levels rise. Regular check-ins, transparent communication about schedules and expectations, and providing a platform for drivers to voice their concerns are all practices that contribute to a supportive environment. After all, 4 in 5 American workers report stress due to poor communication, while good communication can improve productivity by up to 25%.

Tying Together the Power of Communication in Expedited Trucking

The essence of expedited trucking revolves around precision, speed, and reliability, all underpinned by robust communication between dispatchers, drivers, and customers. From managing unexpected road closures to enhancing driver safety with advanced tools, communication improves operational efficiency and builds a sense of community and satisfaction. Every minute counts, and clear and efficient communication is the backbone of success.

Entourage Freight Solutions (EFS) stands at the forefront of integrating these communication principles into practical, real-world services. As a well-rounded provider with offerings from full truckload to specialized freight management designed to cater to diverse needs while prioritizing safety, efficiency, and reliability, EFS understands the critical role of timely deliveries, expedited service, robust communication, and 24/7 support. Advanced communication tools, coupled with a network of strategic locations, ensure that your cargo is handled with the utmost care and precision, no matter how urgent or sensitive.

Ready to experience a new level of expedited trucking service? Request a quote from Entourage Freight Solutions today and get started.

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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.