The logistics sector has been under pressure for years — but one issue is becoming increasingly acute: the shortage of truck drivers. What was long known as a structural problem will become an operational challenge for many companies in 2026. Transports are more difficult to plan, capacities are becoming scarcer and short-term availability is often no longer available. For shippers, freight forwarders and industrial companies, this has a direct impact on the entire supply chain.

Causes: Demographics meet working reality

The lack of drivers is not a short-term phenomenon, but the result of several developments. A key factor is the demographic structure of the sector. Many drivers will reach retirement age in the coming years, while at the same time there will be fewer offspring.

There are also structural challenges:

• long working hours
• high physical load
• increasing time pressure
• limited attractiveness of the job profile

These factors make it difficult to attract new specialists and retain existing staff in the long term.

Implications for transportation and planning

The consequences are clearly noticeable in everyday operations.

Capacities are scarcer, which means:

• Short-term transport is more difficult to organise
• Prices for available capacities are rising
• Planning periods must become longer
• Flexibility decreases

For many companies, this means that transports must be planned earlier, while uncertainty increases at the same time. It becomes particularly critical when it comes to time-bound deliveries or closely timed production processes.

Increasing costs and delays

The lack of drivers has a direct impact on the cost structure. Higher wages, additional surcharges and limited availability mean that transport prices rise.

At the same time, the risks of delays are increasing. If there is a lack of capacity, collection or delivery dates are postponed, which continues along the entire supply chain. This development affects not only individual transports, but entire production and trade processes.

Impacts on global supply chains

Road transport remains a central link in logistics — particularly on the so-called “last mile” and in the pre- and post-season shipping of sea and rail transport. If this connection comes under pressure, it has a direct impact on international supply chains.

Even when sea or air transport goes according to plan, bottlenecks in road transport can lead to delays. The result: extended running times, higher storage costs and reduced planning security.

Solutions: Between Digitalization and Structural Change

In order to address the shortage of drivers, the industry is using various approaches.

Digitalization is an important lever. Modern systems enable:

• more efficient route planning
• better utilization of vehicles
• transparent management of transports
• early identification of bottlenecks

Alternative transport concepts are also gaining in importance. This includes:

• increased use of rail and combined transport
• Bundling of transports
• optimized networks and hubs

Automation will also play a role in the long term, for example through assisted driving functions or, in the future, autonomous vehicles.

Reality remains complex

Despite all approaches, the driver shortage remains a challenge that cannot be solved in the short term. Logistics continues to be caught between increasing requirements, limited capacities and economic pressure. For companies, this means one thing in particular: Planning is becoming more important — and at the same time more demanding.