Digital freight platforms have become a vital source of business for truck drivers in China, according to a survey report released on Tuesday.
The 2023 survey report on the employment status of truck drivers, published by the China Federation of Logistics and Purchasing (CFLP), the only social organization of logistics industry in the country, indicates that these platforms have achieved significant market penetration, with nearly 80 percent of truck drivers in China reporting their usage.
According to the report, the majority of truck drivers are approaching or in middle age, with employment stability on the rise. The primary age range of truck drivers is between 36 and 55, making up 78.68 percent of the workforce.
In terms of cargo types, general freight remains the most common, accounting for 48.25 percent of shipments, followed by shipping on dedicated routes at 24.91 percent and express delivery that makes up 21.25 percent.
The report also reveals a growing trend toward online operations, with 59.55 percent of individual drivers now relying on internet platforms to find freight loads -- an increase of 16 percentage points from the previous year.
By the end of 2023, China had 3,069 online freight companies managing 7.989 million trucks and employing 6.476 million drivers nationwide.
"Digital freight platforms can help match trucks with cargo to reduce empty runs. This alignment of supply and demand helps lower overall logistics costs and enables new drivers to quickly find freight loads," said He Dengcai, vice president of the CFLP.
According to the expert, truck drivers are the backbone of China's road freight transport sector, with over 16 million drivers handling three-quarters of the country's commercial freight volume.
Overall, the working environment for truck drivers has improved compared to last year, and the expansion of the platform economy, which refers to tech-driven online marketplaces and similar services, has made it easier for drivers to find loads and access market opportunities, according to the report.