Ask Ahab: December 2025

Dear Ahab: The U.S. Secretary of Transportation recently stated that shippers could be held responsible for enabling non-English-proficient commercial truck drivers. What steps should I take to avoid legal trouble? – Trucking Terrified

Dear Trucking: The English Proficiency Language (EPL) requirement has been in place for some time, but enforcement has recently increased due to a rise in serious commercial trucking accidents involving non-English-speaking drivers.

If you are a shipper who hires truckers directly, I recommend implementing a screening process to ensure compliance. Make it a requirement that the trucking company you do business with conducts pre-hire language assessments for all drivers and keeps documented proof that confirms each driver’s compliance. This will help demonstrate that you exercised due diligence. Additionally, it is a good idea to create a process where each year you make it a requirement from the trucking company that all drivers continue to meet EPL standards.

Another approach is to work with a broker who has already vetted trucking companies to ensure their compliance with any and all government regulations. This is the easiest and most efficient way forward!

Dear Ahab: Now that carriers are starting to sail through the Suez Canal, how much of a congestion spike do you anticipate at European and Mediterranean ports? How long do you think all the congestion will last? – Timely Tim

Dear Timely Tim: The return to the Suez Canal is great news for global shipping but brace yourself – there is a catch. Expect a significant congestion spike at European and Mediterranean ports. To put it in simple terms it will look bit like throwing a dinner party for 100 guests and only having 50 chairs.

Needless to say, things will feel chaotic for a while. However, the good news is this should be temporary. I’d anticipate a few weeks of disruption, tapering off within a couple of months as carriers smooth out schedules. My advice to you is to build flexibility into your supply chain and delivery timelines. Minor hiccups and delays are inevitable as everyone adjusts to the old route again. Patience will undoubtedly be your best ally while the industry works out the kinks.