Driver shortage: a challenge already impacting logistics in Spain
For years, the shortage of professional truck drivers was talked about as a problem that was on the horizon. Today, it is no longer a future risk: it is a reality that is increasingly affecting day-to-day transport and logistics operations in Spain. Industry associations report tens of thousands of unfilled positions in the country, while at European level the figure is even higher.
Several factors make the situation worse: an ageing workforce, difficulties attracting new generations to the profession, and additional hurdles when hiring non-EU drivers. The impact is visible in:
- Increasing difficulty in securing services on specific routes or during peak seasons.
- More pressure on schedules and planning.
- Risk of rising costs due to lack of capacity.
In this context, the key is not just having trucks available, but having an organisation that is properly prepared.
At GMR Global Trans, we address this challenge with a planning- and operations-focused approach:
- We work with a stable network of hauliers and long-term partners, which allows us to secure capacity more reliably than models based mainly on spot hiring.
- Together with our customers, we plan for demand peaks (campaigns, launches, seasonal volumes) so fleet needs are anticipated instead of handled at the last minute.
- We optimise routes, loads and returns to make better use of available capacity and reduce empty kilometres.
In addition, our logistics base in the Valencian Community makes it easier to coordinate with local and regional fleets, improving response times and operational flexibility in one of Spain’s most dynamic logistics corridors.
GMR Global Trans: planning and a trusted network so the driver shortage doesn’t become a bottleneck for your business
