Empty trailer space has long been an inefficiency in the trucking industry. With shifting market conditions and rising costs, shipping "air" is becoming more expensive than ever, driving urgency for shippers to adopt better solutions. Things like half-empty trailers and underutilized space aren't just a headache anymore -- they're impacting your bottom line.
If you're shipping freight in today's evolving environment, it's crucial to rethink how you utilize capacity and begin planning for market changes ahead of 2025. Here's what's happening, why it matters, and how a Shared Truckload solution can help save costs while improving operational efficiency.
As we move into 2025, several trends are shaping the trucking industry. FreightWaves' market data indicates a turning tide in the truckload market, signaling a stronger advantage for carriers. Many providers are renegotiating truckload contract rates in favor of higher pricing, leaving shippers with rising bills.
Simultaneously, capacity issues persist. Research shows that 43% of truckloads move partially empty -- essentially shipping air. This inefficiency drives up costs for shippers and represents wasted revenue opportunities for carriers. Rising operational expenses, coupled with tighter margins, only magnify this challenge across the industry.
Adding to the complexity, LTL NMFC code changes could nudge more shippers toward alternative solutions. Yet, for businesses unable to fill an entire trailer, traditional truckload shipping isn't cost-effective -- placing shippers in a frustrating bind.
It's within this context that Shared Truckload is emerging as a game-changing solution.
Shipping air -- moving a truckload trailer that isn't completely full -- wastes both money and resources. And as the market shifts to favor carriers, the cost of these inefficiencies is climbing fast.
For carriers, partially empty trailers represent an increasing opportunity cost. Every unused cubic foot is a lost chance for profit. Dramatic fluctuations in demand, coupled with rising diesel prices, push carriers to maximize capacity in every shipment. For shippers, the rising costs of underutilized trailers can make staying competitive tougher than ever.
The solution? Fill that empty space.
This is where Shared Truckload (STL) solutions step in, providing shippers with smarter, more efficient ways to pool loads and maximize trailer usage. STL allows multiple shippers to share trailer space, splitting costs proportionally without compromising delivery speed or performance. The result? Optimized shipping that's better for shippers, carriers, and the environment.