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LONG BEACH, Calif. — Unprecedented volumes of intermodal freight are starting to lighten as well as the long turn times and equipment backlogs that created chassis shortages throughout the past year, which can delay freight movement and disrupt truckers, carriers and the entire business model of the customer.

LONG BEACH, Calif. — More than 100 high school and college students attending the IANA Expo took part in learning opportunities tailored to those considering careers in the intermodal and logistics industries.

LONG BEACH, Calif. — The driver shortage remains a top concern for fleets, and carriers are working to attract new and younger entrants into the industry.

LONG BEACH, Calif. — California’s Assembly Bill 5, which affects driver classification, has been in effect for 2½ months, and fleets are subject to enforcement. Experts discussed the ramifications at IANA Intermodal Expo 2022.

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Throughout 2022, the intermodal industry has responded to shifting consumer demand, supply chain disruptions, shipper demands and more.

While products for the most part are no longer sitting on ships waiting to be offloaded, the supply chain kink has just moved farther down the line — to warehouses, where much of the freight that was on those ships missed its window to be in the retail store.

Nuclear verdicts can be detrimental to motor carriers and their insurance rates, but carriers can mitigate risk by utilizing technology, documenting and sharing safety efforts, and taking advantage of the first 24 hours if a claim occurs.

The freight market volatility of the past few years has created an even greater need for carriers and brokers to strengthen their business relationships, especially as uncertainty and supply chain disruptions persist.

With a laundry list of hurdles facing many trucking companies, the focus on preventive maintenance becomes clearer as fleets are adding alternative suppliers and providers, and stockpiling inventory to help control costs and reduce downtime.

Demand for trailers remains red-hot, but shortages of labor, components and supplies are restricting production, making it difficult for trailer makers to meet demand and set prices — with no end in sight for the long term.