Adcom's Freight Market Update: December 23, 2025
This week: Safety rules for truckers stay in place; Global liner performance strengthens; China imposes high tariffs on EU dairy.
Current Critical Industry Trends
Safety rules for truckers stay in place. Despite federal steps to reclassify marijuana, DOT regulations still bar use by safety-sensitive transportation employees, including commercial drivers.
Ocean
Global liner performance strengthens. Schedule reliability reached 64.1 per cent in November, the second-highest figure ever recorded for the month, while average late vessel delays fell to under five days.
Ports
Container throughput remains strong at China’s top ports. The five busiest ports recorded robust year-to-date volumes, led by Shanghai at 46.1 million TEUs, demonstrating efficiency gains, capacity expansion, and sustainable operations.
International
Mexico stays America’s top trading partner. September trade reached $71.8 billion, highlighting the critical role of trucking and cross-border supply chains in moving automotive, electronics, and industrial goods.
China imposes high tariffs on EU dairy. Duties of up to 42.7% target milk, cheese, and cream after a subsidy investigation, adding pressure on EU-China trade and the movement of imported goods.
Trucking
Brokers may soon be liable for unsafe trucking. A new House bill targets carriers with multiple DOT violations and allows regulators to investigate brokers, aiming to prevent fatal accidents and improve industry-wide safety compliance.
Rail
America’s first transcontinental railroad is on the horizon. With a merger application filed with the Surface Transportation Board, the plan would deliver safer, more efficient operations, expanded customer options, and a potential shift of millions of truckloads to rail each year.
Air
A new chapter for regional aviation in Canada. Rise Air has taken delivery of its first ATR 72-600, becoming the launch operator for the –600 series in the country. The aircraft supports remote connectivity with improved efficiency, reliability, and lower emissions.
Cherries are flying farther this season. Ethiopian Cargo completed its first Chile-to-China cherry charter, reinforcing its role in long-haul, temperature-controlled air freight. The carrier expects higher volumes as exporters seek dependable cold-chain capacity into Asian markets.
Technology
Autonomous trucking moves closer to scale. A new agreement will bring 5G connectivity and IoT data capabilities into driverless trucking operations, supporting real-time vehicle communication and coordination between trucks and command centers.
Other
These stories shaped logistics in 2025. Logistics Management Group reviewed its editorial coverage and selected the 10 stories that best reflect the year’s most impactful shifts across transportation, trade, and supply chain operations.
Supply chain hiring remains uneven heading into 2026. Demand for experienced professionals still outpaces supply, even as some sectors pull back on hiring. Retention and workforce development are expected to matter as much as recruiting in the year ahead.
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As always, Adcom’s team is here to help. Our expert teams are ready to answer any questions you may have or give advice for managing the current logistics environment. Additionally, if you need help moving freight or gaining visibility and control over your supply chain, we’d happily discuss what Radiant can do for you. Contact us!