The trucking sector is integral to the economy by moving mass amounts of freight and supporting supply chains across industry lines. However, several risks present challenges to the sector moving forward. Trucking businesses should monitor developments that could impact the industry in 2025 and adjust their risk management programs accordingly.
Here are trucking trends to watch in 2025 and strategies to help navigate them.
Cargo Theft Concerns
The past few years have seen a rise in cargo theft concerns across the trucking industry, exacerbating ongoing transportation bottlenecks, delivery delays and supply chain challenges. According to analytics firm CargoNet, cargo theft activity increased by 27% between 2023 and 2024 in Canada and the United States, and this trend may continue in 2025. Several factors have contributed to this statistic, including a surge in organized crime since the COVID-19 pandemic and inflationary pressures creating a lucrative black market for stolen goods. Cargo theft can significantly strain trucking companies’ operations, contributing to widespread disruptions, financial losses and reputational damage.
Trucking businesses should adopt a range of measures to help mitigate cargo theft, such as implementing in-depth vetting protocols for potential employees, training drivers to follow predetermined routes and park vehicles in secure locations, utilizing encrypted communication channels to discuss transportation updates and delivery timelines, and requiring a set number of employees to be present during deliveries. Additionally, installing integrated tracking technologies (e.g., geo-fenced GPS trackers) on trailers or cargo shipments can facilitate real-time tracking and provide an extra layer of security.
Technological Advancements
As technology continues to advance across industry lines, many trucking companies are embracing a wide range of innovations in their fleets, namely artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous vehicles (AVs) and electric vehicles (EVs). These technological advancements can provide various benefits. For instance, AI tools can be leveraged to collect and analyze fleet data, review drivers’ habits, monitor vehicle conditions, schedule predictive maintenance and assess live traffic patterns. AVs use sensors, onboard computers and sophisticated software to control certain driving functions (e.g., automatic steering, braking and acceleration), which can minimize accidents caused by human error. EVs—which utilize electric batteries rather than gasoline tanks—can help reduce fuel and operating costs and promote environmental sustainability through lowered carbon emissions.
Despite these innovations’ benefits, they carry additional risks, primarily for cybersecurity. For instance, cybercriminals could hack into trucking companies’ AI tools or interconnected fleets to access sensitive data, compromise both stationary and active vehicles, make unauthorized changes to routes, derail deliveries, and, in severe cases, cause accidents on the road. These incidents could have devastating impacts on trucking businesses, their operations and their drivers. Apart from cybersecurity concerns, it’s worth noting that many types of AV technologies are still a work in progress; some of these vehicles have contributed to accidents, leaving their overall safety in question. Further, although EVs are supposed to be more efficient than gas-powered vehicles, some industry leaders have posed concerns regarding the safety of electric batteries and the actual range and performance of these vehicles, given the lack of reliable charging stations along major trucking routes.
What’s more, both AVs and EVs (and their associated infrastructure modifications) are more expensive to purchase and maintain than traditional vehicles, elevating upfront costs for trucking companies that invest in them and, in the event of accidents on the road, exacerbating repair costs and related commercial auto insurance claims. These elevated costs may also contribute to increased premiums.
Considering these risks, trucking companies should carefully weigh the pros and cons of such innovations and confirm that they have the resources needed to mitigate their exposures before implementation. If they opt to integrate these technological advancements within their operations, they must prioritize strong cyber hygiene practices and provide employees with routine cybersecurity training to ensure they know how to detect and respond to possible threats.
Labour Challenges
While labour shortages have become a top concern for many industries in recent years, the trucking sector has been particularly impacted by a lack of commercial drivers; current estimates suggest the sector needs an additional 48,000 drivers to perform at full capacity. Consequently, many trucking companies have had to lower their driver applicant standards to fill open positions. These drivers often have fewer years of experience and shorter driving records. Such factors can make these new employees more likely to be involved in accidents on the road, contributing to an increase in commercial auto insurance losses and related claims.
The government has expanded its Federal Skilled Worker Program to address the shortages, allowing skilled truck drivers from other countries to obtain work permits to start their careers in Canada. Even with government initiatives, trucking companies must establish their own initiatives for attracting and retaining qualified employees, such as improving working conditions, providing professional growth opportunities and tapping into underrepresented demographics (e.g., women) to expand their talent pools. Trucking businesses should also have plans to educate new drivers and encourage them to prioritize safety behind the wheel this year and beyond, thus minimizing accidents and associated losses.
Regulatory Compliance
There are several regulatory changes that trucking businesses should be aware of in 2025. Federally regulated trucking carriers must adopt third-party electronic logging devices (ELDs) capable of separately recording and logging data for each driver. ELDs must be certified and approved by Transport Canada. Other pertinent regulations involve carbon emission reduction efforts. Canada has recently committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40%-45% (relative to 2005 levels) by 2030. Consequently, trucks manufactured after 2024 must meet stricter fuel efficiency standards. Moreover, trucking carriers must adhere to stricter idling restrictions in some urban areas to reduce greenhouse gases and improve air quality. For instance, the Ottawa City Council recently approved an updated idling control bylaw restricting unnecessary vehicle idling to three minutes per hour.
Non-compliance with regulations can result in significant fines or suspension of operating licences.
Several trends are impacting the trucking sector in 2025, emphasizing the importance of staying informed and adaptive. By tracking these developments and mitigating any associated exposures, trucking businesses can effectively position themselves to promote long-term growth and boost operational success.
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