Only 1.4% of U.S. carriers qualified for specialized steel freight, index finds
A new index from TA Services estimates that a tiny share of U.S. trucking carriers is equipped to haul specialized steel shipments safely.
Fewer than two percent of U.S. trucking carriers are properly equipped and trained to haul specialized steel freight, according to a new benchmark from logistics firm TA Services. The company's Steel Transportation Index puts the figure at roughly 1.4%, underscoring how narrow the pool of qualified operators has become in one of the country's most demanding freight segments.
What the index measures
TA Services developed the Steel Transportation Index to assess carrier readiness across the specialized steel market, a category that includes plate, coil, sheet, and structural products with handling requirements that go well beyond standard dry van work. Carriers are evaluated on factors such as equipment specifications, driver certification, securement protocols, and damage prevention practices. The benchmark is designed to give shippers a clearer view of which carriers can safely move sensitive loads.
Why the qualified pool is so small
Specialized steel hauling typically demands purpose-built trailers, including coil racks and flatbeds with reinforced securement systems, along with drivers who understand load dynamics and mill protocols. Many fleets lack the capital to invest in that equipment or the scale to train drivers to the required standard. The result is a market where shippers searching for qualified carriers often compete for a limited number of approved operators.
Implications for shippers
The index suggests that capacity in this segment is tighter than headline trucking statistics imply. Industry observers point to ongoing warehouse and distribution shifts as one factor reshaping freight demand, while others are watching how carriers invest in new equipment to capture share of high-value steel lanes. TA Services says it plans to update the index periodically so buyers can track whether the qualified carrier base is expanding or contracting.
Key takeaways
- About 1.4% of U.S. carriers meet TA Services' specialized steel criteria.
- The index evaluates equipment, driver training, securement, and damage prevention.
- Shippers face a small pool of approved operators for sensitive steel loads.
- TA Services intends to refresh the benchmark over time.