The top 5 transport trends for 2025
Key developments and their impact on your logistics operations
The road transport sector faces significant challenges in 2025, but there are also major opportunities. What are the most crucial developments, and how will they affect the management of your transport operations? In this article, we outline the five biggest transport trends and provide insights from the field of control towers and smart execution management.
Trend 1: The CSRD takes effect – Source data is essential
It has been in discussion for years, but now it is finally happening: the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) comes into force. Publicly listed companies will be required to report their CO₂ emissions for the 2024 financial year in compliance with strict EU standards. This extends beyond their own emissions to include those produced by suppliers, external transporters, and subcontractors, requiring full supply chain transparency.
If you are a transport provider, you will likely be asked to supply execution data, detailing shipments, vehicle types, fuel usage, and kilometres travelled. Without detailed source data, your client may have to rely on industry averages—often resulting in higher-than-actual emission figures. This not only affects compliance but also limits your ability to implement effective CO₂ reduction strategies, which is the core goal of the CSRD.
Trend 2: Rising costs – Improving profitability is essential
Labour costs are increasing, fuel remains expensive, and transitioning to electric transport demands substantial investment. Transport companies are facing higher operational costs, while shippers are pushing for lower prices to manage their own expenses. This is leading to debates about transport service quality, pricing, and responsibility for delays—for instance, should shippers pay if their drivers are delayed due to dock congestion?
To maintain profit margins, companies must optimise fleet efficiency by reducing empty kilometres, improving route planning, and enhancing collaboration. However, planning alone is not enough—execution is just as crucial. Unexpected issues like traffic congestion, driver illness, or vehicle breakdowns can disrupt even the most optimised schedule. The challenge lies in mitigating these disruptions without sacrificing profitability.
Trend 3: Sustainable transport – Route planning will change
As of 1 January 2025, 30 Dutch cities have introduced zero-emission zones, restricting access for diesel-powered trucks and vans, with transitional regulations in place. The EU has set a 2050 deadline for full zero-emission transport, while consumer demand for sustainable delivery is also growing. Many online shoppers now prefer an emission-free home delivery option when available.
For fleet operators, this means significant investment in electric vehicles (EVs) and careful energy management. Route planning is becoming increasingly complex, requiring consideration of:
- Where diesel trucks can and cannot operate
- Battery range and charging station availability
- The dynamic pricing of electricity
Trend 4: Supply chain disruptions persist – Visibility alone is not enough
Global supply chains have been severely impacted in recent years due to COVID-19, blocked shipping routes, and geopolitical tensions. Businesses have realised that they are just one link in a global chain, where even minor disruptions can have major delivery consequences. In response, many companies have invested in visibility platforms to track the real-time location of their shipments.
However, visibility alone does not solve delays. Companies need predictive insights—not just where a shipment is, but when it will arrive at its next destination. Combining visibility with advanced planning and disruption response is critical. Key questions include:
- What are the consequences of a delay?
- How can I adjust to still meet my delivery promise while controlling costs?
- What proactive actions can I take to mitigate disruption?
Trend 5: Severe labour shortages – Making the driving profession more attractive
Europe currently faces a shortage of 233,000 truck drivers, and this number is expected to rise to 745,000 by 2028 due to an ageing workforce. The profession is seen as stressful, demanding, and inflexible, making it less attractive to younger generations. Similarly, transport planners and dispatchers are increasingly difficult to recruit and retain.
To broaden the pool of potential drivers, the transport sector needs to offer more flexible employment contracts. Enhanced route planning precision can help companies accommodate part-time workers and newcomers. Additionally, reducing driver stress—especially in the last mile (city centres, shopping districts, and residential areas)—is crucial. Employers can achieve this by improving digital communication and real-time guidance during journeys, ensuring delays do not lead to unnecessary stress.
By adopting these strategies, companies can make the profession more attractive and sustainable in the long term.
What About AI and Autonomous Transport?
A discussion on transport trends would be incomplete without mentioning AI and autonomous trucks. However, we do not consider these standalone trends anymore—rather, they are powerful tools that are already deeply integrated into logistics operations.
AI and machine learning are revolutionising:
- Dynamic order assignment to carriers
- Optimised load distribution
- Accurate ETA predictions
The ultimate AI application in transport is the self-driving truck. Emission-free, autonomous trucks that silently restock warehouses overnight are an appealing vision. Truck manufacturers are actively experimenting with this technology, and its eventual arrival seems inevitable. However, we do not expect full-scale deployment in 2025.
One thing is certain: Simacan will be ready. Autonomous transport will require seamless real-time data exchange, 100% reliability, and continuous adjustments—precisely what our platform is built for.
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