Recently, pressure from the U.S. supply chain crisis has intensified. On one hand, nearly 130,000 U.S. truck drivers have been banned from driving due to drugged driving, with a significant portion of those who failed tests not participating in return-to-work programs, exacerbating the driver shortage in the trucking industry. On the other hand, a new round of strikes by West Coast port workers has disrupted cargo operations at major U.S. West Coast ports, with some even closed due to the strikes.

According to a report by the U.S. Drug & Alcohol Clearinghouse, in Q1 2023, the number of truck drivers testing positive for marijuana rose by 9.2%, with a significant portion not participating in return-to-work programs. This issue is worsening the U.S. supply chain crisis, as empty supermarket shelves demonstrate. Estimates suggest the U.S. trucking industry is short by nearly 80,000 drivers, and the problem is expected to worsen before improving.

On the other hand, a new round of strike actions by West Coast port workers has disrupted cargo operations at major US West Coast ports, with the Port of Oakland even closed due to strikes, hindering operations at some of the USs busiest trade gateways. The standoff between dockworkers and employers over prolonged contract negotiations continues to escalate.

These issues are further intensifying the US supply chain crisis, with profound impacts on global supply chains. As a logistics integration service provider in the industrial supply chain, we will continue to monitor the situation and provide businesses with the latest and most comprehensive information and services.