Driver shortage challenge front and centre at Latin America logistics event

Tackling the shortage of professional drivers is vital to securing the future of trucking across the Americas - with better conditions at pickup and delivery sites being a key part of the solution.

At the Asociación Petroquímica y Química Latinoamericana's (APLA's) 27th Logistics Conference in Panama, IRU Senior Adviser for the Americas Martin Rojas took part in a panel discussion focusing on the ongoing driver shortage challenge in the region.

Drawing on insights from IRU's latest research, Martin Rojas provided a comprehensive overview of both the global and regional dimensions of the shortage, highlighting current trends, future developments, and the key factors intensifying recruitment difficulties.

IRU's 2024 global truck driver shortage report found that 3.6 million positions remain unfilled in 36 countries studied, representing 70% of global GDP.

Underlying structural demographic trends are increasingly alarming, notably a widening gap between younger and older drivers. Drivers under 25 make up just 6.5% of the total workforce, while those over 55 represent 31.6%. Over the next five years, the report forecasts that 3.4 million truck drivers will retire in the countries studied.

Sharing the stage with Pablo Alvarez Gutierrez, CEO of Mexican Excellence Freight and member of CANACAR, Martin Rojas underscored that addressing the shortage of drivers requires collaborative efforts beyond operators.

He also stressed the importance of shippers improving conditions for commercial drivers during cargo pickup and delivery - including access to basic facilities such as restrooms - to make the profession more attractive and sustainable.

The discussion highlighted the critical need for industry-wide action to ensure the future viability of road freight across the Americas.