Intermodal growth exposes shrinking drayage driver pool

· Shipping · United States

The pool of drivers available to haul 53-foot domestic containers has shrunk since the freight recession began in 2022, the Journal of Commerce reports. That makes it harder for intermodal providers to respond quickly to the current surge in volumes.

Why it matters：Drayage is the short-haul link between ports, rail yards and warehouses; a constrained driver base can cap intermodal growth and push shippers back toward over-the-road trucking.

Key points

  • The driver shortfall dates to the freight recession that began in 2022.
  • Intermodal providers face slower response to rising volumes.
  • The shortage concerns drivers hauling 53-foot domestic containers.

Sources (original reporting)

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