Uber Freight: US-Mexico capacity crunch could ‘get worse before it gets better’
Uber Freight says tougher B-1 visa conditions and strong cross-border demand are tightening northbound trucking capacity from Mexico to the U.S. The post Uber Freight: US-Mexico capacity crunch could ‘get worse before it gets better’ appeared first on FreightWaves .
The shortage of B-1 drivers is causing a capacity crunch in U.S.-Mexico freight transport, potentially leading to higher trucking rates, longer border delays, and forcing shippers to reconsider their shipping methods, according to Uber Freight. Zeid Houssami, senior vice president at Uber Freight, noted that the number of active Mexican-domiciled southern border carriers has decreased by 6.3% between December 26 and June 26, due to stricter cabotage enforcement and English-language proficiency requirements.
The capacity issue is particularly acute in Laredo, Texas, where the SONAR Outbound Tender Rejection Index has risen to 6.93% in August 2024, up 2.1% year over year. Carriers are employing revenue management strategies and transloading as alternatives to address the B-1 driver shortage. However, transloading requires additional handling and poses risks such as cargo damage and theft, and some shippers are content to wait for direct B-1 capacity.
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