Staying Ahead: Resilient Strategies in a Dynamic Market
One thing is certain in this market, the speed of change is accelerating. The pace of changes impacting supply chains has made it hard to keep up, but we can help. Our teams stay up to date with government regulations, market conditions and industry trends to help you develop resilient supply chain strategies that help your business thrive.
Work with a transportation company that’s in the know.
Keep reading to learn more about some changes that have impacted the supply chain recently, and how J.B. Hunt can help you navigate them.
Market Disruptions
As tariff and trade policy remain fluid, companies are adjusting their sourcing, inventory and transportation strategies quickly. Our experience and investments in multimodal shipping solutions, technology and capacity, including our relationships with thousands of vetted, qualified third-party carriers nationwide, allow us to provide our customers with the agility they need to respond to changing market conditions.
Changes to Carrier Regulations and Policies
Our teams have been keeping a close eye on new and evolving carrier regulations that might impact supply chain capacity, including:
- English Language Proficiency Enforcement. In April, an executive order was issued calling for the enforcement of English language proficiency (ELP) regulations – a legal requirement for commercial drivers to speak and understand English. This may impact capacity in the industry - one Barclays report estimates as much as 10-15% of the truck driver population may fail the ELP test. Freightwaves is also forecasting ELP enforcement will reduce capacity. They estimate 10% of all CDL holders may not be able to pass the ELP test.
- Cabotage. Some of the American Trucking Associations have called for stricter enforcement of cabotage regulations, specifically those regarding B-1 visas. If this occurs, it could tighten capacity within the market. B-1 visas allow foreign drivers into the U.S. to only drop off and/or pick up goods. The goal of these regulations is to help prevent foreign carriers from abusing their visas and running domestic routes illegally.
- Biometric ID Verification Requirements. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) now requires applicants for a USDOT number to verify their identity using biometric data collected through a third party. The goal of the identification verification system is to try and reduce carrier fraud, which has been an issue in the industry.
Our carrier vetting process is one of the most rigorous in the industry and we often lead the industry when it comes to safety. Because of our commitment to working with safe and reliable drivers and carriers, we are confident we can help you safely reach your service goals.
Cargo Security
Cargo theft, including pilferage and strategic cargo theft, continues to be a challenge in the transportation industry. According to the American Trucking Associations, cargo theft incidents were up 36% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period last year.
Our dedicated security team works 24/7 to keep your freight as safe as possible. We leverage the latest tools and technologies, such as bolt seals and covert tracking devices, to design a custom security solution that fits your unique needs. Our tiered approach to cargo security helps prevent cargo theft before it happens and has protocols and teams in place to respond if a theft does occur. This approach has been recognized by CargoNet, who awarded us Best in Cargo Security.
Evolving Railroad Landscape
Railroads play an important role in our nation’s supply chain, and there are long-term opportunities to create efficiencies and expand the intermodal market. That may be part of what is driving discussions around mergers that create transcontinental railroads. We will navigate and adapt to any changes, building on our strong relationships with both Norfolk Southern and CSX in the East and our decades-long relationship with BNSF in the West. We value collaboration and are committed to working with our rail providers to create reliable, efficient and scalable solutions for our customers.
You Deserve the Best
In an uncertain market, it’s important to work with a transportation company you can trust. We’re Driven for You™, which means we’re here to use our industry expertise and resources to help you navigate these evolving market conditions and build a supply chain that works for you today and grows with you tomorrow.
Ready to work with a company that strives to deliver the best? Connect with us today!