4
Challenges Facing the Industry in 2025
The most pressing challenge cited by shipper
participants is the rising cost of transportation.
Freight expenses continue to escalate due
to increasing regulatory compliance costs,
fuel price volatility, and labor shortages. The
economic outlook remains uncertain, with
fluctuations in consumer spending and potential
recessionary pressures influencing logistics
strategies.
Access to well-paying freight is a key concern for
carriers, particularly smaller operators competing
against larger fleets with established shipper
contracts. As competition intensifies, carriers
must differentiate themselves through superior
service quality and transparency.
The demand for digital freight marketplaces is
rising, as these platforms provide more equitable
access to freight opportunities while enabling
better rate negotiation and load matching.
Supply chain disruptions are expected to
increase, with 32% of shippers anticipating more
frequent delays and inefficiencies compared
to previous years. These disruptions could
stem from ongoing issues like continued port
congestion and trade policy shifts, many of
which directly affect freight movement.
SHIPPER RESPONSE
In 2025, do you believe supply chain disruptions will:
2024 Survey Results
2023 Survey Results
Increase
Remain the same
Decrease
32.0%
55.4%
12.6%
23.8%
63.9%
(30 basis points change)
(-850 basis points change)
(820 basis points change)
12.3%
0% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 10%
