By Christopher Keating, Senior Vice President Trimble Transportation EuropeÂ
The transportation industry has travelled a winding road in 2024. Hopes for a swift recovery from the turbulence of previous years met lingering economic headwinds, geopolitical uncertainties, and persistent challenges that kept the sector in a state of cautious anticipation.
As we embark on the journey into 2025, the path ahead promises exciting opportunities and demanding obstacles for those navigating the global supply chains.
While optimism persists for a gradual return to equilibrium, staying ahead of the curve demands a keen understanding of the forces shaping the industry.
Here are our predictions for the transportation sector in 2025…
The sustainability pressure will remain
Driven by a confluence of factors – stricter environmental regulations, rising fuel costs, and growing consumer awareness – sustainability is no longer a trend; it’s a considerable pressure on the transportation industry’s shoulders.
In 2024, electric and alternative fuel vehicles were not the success stories they set out to be, and while investments will continue to grow, the challenges and scepticism will remain in 2025.
Instead, companies focus on sustainability by improving their operational efficiency. This means using technology, data, and AI to reduce empty miles and wasted time, making the whole operation – and thus the supply chain – more sustainable.
Collaboration with suppliers and carriers committed to sustainability will also become increasingly important from a branding standpoint. Building green supply chain partnerships will be crucial in reducing environmental impact, enhancing brand reputation, and attracting environmentally conscious customers.
The AI revolution: from automation to autonomous decision-making
Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic fantasy; it’s rapidly becoming the engine driving efficiency and innovation in transportation technology. While 2024 saw companies experiment with basic AI-powered automation, 2025 will leap towards more sophisticated applications.
Expect to see AI move beyond simple tasks such as route optimisation and into the realm of autonomous decision-making. By analysing vast amounts of data, advanced algorithms will be able to adjust their routes as real-time conditions change, such as changes in road layout or new buildings, or changes in driver availability and cost fluctuations. This will also impact price negotiations. Instead of negotiating prices for each shipment individually with all the counterparts, companies with AI-powered tools can process all the negotiations simultaneously.
Predictive maintenance will become more prevalent, with AI and machine learning algorithms analysing data from IoT sensors to anticipate equipment failures, minimising downtime and optimising maintenance schedules.
Finally, as in other industries, AI will assist people by automating time-consuming and error-prone manual tasks. These repetitive jobs can be streamlined to save substantial time and effort, freeing people to perform more important and rewarding responsibilities.
Driver shortages continue: is AI the salvation?
The driver shortage of 2024 will continue to cast shadows in 2025. AI will help, but addressing this complex issue will require a multi-faceted approach that combines recruitment, technology, and operational efficiency.
Attracting new talent to the industry will require a concerted effort to improve working conditions, offer competitive salaries, and invest in driver training programs.
At the same time, companies will increasingly turn to automation technologies, such as autonomous lorries and robotic warehouse assistants, to alleviate the pressure on their people.
Optimising driver time will also be a primary point on the agenda. Companies will be looking to use AI-powered technology to minimise delays, reduce dwell times at loading docks, and maximise driver productivity to make the most of their existing workforce while improving driver satisfaction and retention.
Visibility: from data to actionable insights
Real-time visibility has become a standard feature in transportation management, but in 2025, the focus will shift from simply seeing where shipments are to extracting valuable insights from the data.
This means using the power of predictive analytics to anticipate disruptions, optimise routes, and proactively address delays.
Integrated platforms will play a crucial role in this evolution, connecting TMS, warehouse management systems, driver navigation and other data sources to create a seamless flow of information and optimise decision-making across the entire supply chain.
Data-driven collaboration will also become increasingly important, with companies sharing information with partners and customers to improve efficiency, reduce waste, and build stronger, more transparent relationships.
Embracing 2025 and beyond
While 2025 promises a modernised transportation industry with AI-powered abilities, there is a big asterisk attached to all the above mentioned benefits of technology: it’s clear that transportation has under-indexed in technology adoption compared to other industries. And, with the coming technology, data, and AI evolution being rapidly adopted, it’s clear that companies that embrace the digitisation of their operations early and be the first to reap the benefits.
The journey promises to be both demanding and rewarding, and those who are willing to work together and embrace this technological evolution will be the ones to lead the line in the evolving world of transportation.
