Overcoming trucking industry's driver shortage: key challenges and strategic solutions

Abstract

The trucking industry is a critical pillar supporting global and domestic supply chains, especially in port-centric economies where the seamless movement of goods from maritime gateways to inland destinations determines trade efficiency and economic vitality. This research paper examines the escalating crisis of truck driver shortages at Kochi Port, one of India's most strategic maritime hubs, and its wide-ranging impacts on supply chain performance, regional economies, and international trade competitiveness. Over the last five years, the shortage of qualified truck drivers servicing Kochi Port has intensified, with current estimates indicating that nearly 45% of the required driver workforce remains unfilled. This deficit, amounting to over half a million drivers annually, has led to significant underutilization of trucking capacity, increased congestion, delays in container handling, and disruptions across multimodal transportation networks.