Drayage Trends to Watch Out for in 2025

Businesses that rely on short-haul freight movements must stay ahead of key drayage trends to remain competitive in an increasingly complex supply chain. As the logistics industry evolves, the future of drayage is being shaped by emerging technologies, sustainability initiatives, and shifting regulations. 

As we look forward in 2025, there are seven key trends to watch as they are expected to affect the drayage industry. Learn what this means for shippers, carriers, and supply chain professionals moving forward.

1. Adoption of Electric and Autonomous Drayage Trucks
2. Port Operations Digitization and Automation and Data-Driven Decision-Making
3. Supply Chain Resilience and Diversification
4. Sustainability and Emission Reduction Goals
5. Increased Supply Chain Collaboration
6. Intermodal Integration and Infrastructure Expansion
7. Cybersecurity Focus

Let’s take a look at the future of drayage this year.

1. Adoption of Electric and Autonomous Drayage Trucks

The adoption of autonomous drayage trucks is an increasing trend in drayage due both to sustainability and environmental goals, as well as to improve efficiency, reduce human error, and compensate for driver shortages. Ports in California as well as other states are piloting zero-emission zones that make use of driverless vehicles.

One factor increasing the adoption of self-driving drayage trucks is the utilization of ever-accelerating improvements of AI and sensor technology in use in controlled environments such as ports and logistics hubs. More ports are deploying automated cranes, guided vehicles, and other AI-driven systems to streamline container handling and reduce dwell times.

2. Port Operations Digitization and Automation and Data-Driven Decision Making

The use of advanced web-based platforms and real-time tracking systems is becoming more of a widespread drayage trend in 2025. These platforms enable better communication between shippers, drivers, and port authorities, leading to greater transparency, operational efficiency, and reduced bottlenecks.

AI-driven solutions for route optimization, real-time traffic monitoring, and predictive maintenance of vehicles help reduce delays, improve asset utilization, and lower costs. Digital freight matching and real-time tracking platforms are essential to improve operational efficiency and visibility in drayage logistics.

IoT-enabled containers provide real-time data on the status of transported goods. This helps monitor temperature-sensitive shipments, reduce theft, and enable better management of supply chains. By integrating IoT sensors on vehicles and equipment, operators are able to predict when maintenance is needed, reducing unexpected downtimes and improving fleet efficiency.

Both carriers and shippers gain greater visibility into the movement of containers through real-time data and end-to-end tracking systems. Blockchain and smart contracts provide more secure and transparent drayage transactions, truck telematics and remote driving technologies to reduce driver fatigue and improve driver conditions, and predictive maintenance and demand forecasting tools help drayage companies reduce downtown and improve planning and decision-making, reducing delays and inventory inefficiencies.

3. Supply Chain Resilience and Diversification

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in global supply chains, particularly with port congestion and disruptions. Shippers are diversifying supply chains and opting for near-shoring strategies to reduce reliance on long-haul imports, increasing demand for regional drayage services. Investments in inland ports and intermodal facilities create new drayage opportunities outside of coastal areas.

The demand for resilient and agile supply chains encourages the use of supply chain visibility platforms that allow for real-time insights, allowing stakeholders to respond proactively to drayage disruptions and capacity issues.

4. Sustainability and Emission Reduction Goals

Government mandates and port initiatives are focusing on reducing carbon emissions with stricter regulations requiring fleet electrification and cleaner technologies employing electric trucks and alternative fuels like hydrogen and renewable natural gas (RNG).

Ports are likely to adopt shore power systems where ships can plug into an electrical grid as well as other more eco-friendly equipment at container terminals and rail yards. More Low emission zones further encourage this shift to cleaner technologies.

5. Increased Supply Chain Collaboration

Companies are forming collaborative drayage networks to improve container pooling and reduce empty miles. Increased use of hub-and-spoke models for container distribution, where goods are consolidated at a central location such as a large rail terminal, and then distributed to smaller, local hubs, could help optimize drayage operations.

Collaboration between government agencies, port authorities, and private companies may improve infrastructure, ease congestion, and reduce environmental impact. Integrated solutions for drayage, including better coordination with railroads, shipping lines, and warehousing operators, can create more efficient supply chains.

6. Intermodal Integration and Infrastructure Expansion

With the increasing use of rail for long-distance freight, drayage companies are focusing on efficient first and last-mile connectivity with intermodal terminals. To accommodate growing volumes and larger vessels, ports are expanding terminals to alleviate congestion and streamline the drayage process. Some ports may implement congestion pricing or higher demurrage fees to incentivize quicker turnarounds of cargo and reduce delays.

Growing e-commerce transactions and shipments are encouraging the focus on micro-fulfillment centers and distributed warehousing systems. These localized centers require more drayage activity to move containers from ports to smaller distribution hubs closer to consumer bases. Urban consolidation centers may become more common as cities develop systems for consolidating goods from multiple drayage providers into one central location to reduce traffic congestion and emissions in these areas.

7. Cybersecurity Focus

Growing reliance on digital platforms and automation increases vulnerabilities to malware and threats from bad actors and nation-states. Companies are investing more in secure networks to protect sensitive supply chain data.