Shipping between America and its North American neighbors continues to grow and that is good news for the commercial trucking industry, which is by far the biggest form of shipping between America, Canada and Mexico.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, surface trade between the United States, Canada and Mexico rose nearly 14 percent in September compared to a year ago. Specifically, surface transportation between the U.S. and Canada increased by 14.7 percent and generated $46.1 billion, and surface transportation between the U.S. and Mexico rose 12.5 percent valuing $27.8 billion.

Rail, plane and boat shipping also posted modest gains, but the trucking industry posted the largest increase and transportation officials predict the trend will continue.

The Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) and the U.S. Department of Transportation also reported that truck transportation between the United States and Canada and Mexico increased by 18 percent in July 2011 compared to the year before. The increase in 2011 is also 40 percent higher than 2008, when the recession stunted growth.

Trucks account for the vast majority of shipping between North American countries as over 80 percent of goods shipped between the U.S., Canada and Mexico travels via commercial trucks. It is more cost effective to use trucks compared to boats, trains and plains and trucks have more flexibility in where they can make deliveries.

The demand for shipping between North American nations is growing in part because more American manufactures are shifting their focus on customers in Mexico and Canada, rather than overseas. It is costly to ship products by boat and plane, and the European market is causing some concern for American producers. That is why trucking freight in North America is on the rise and the demand for more drivers is also increasing.

New cross-border trucking programs enacted by the United States have also led to growth in international trucking business and more carriers are expected to participate in the cross-border program in the coming years.

At the Diesel Driving Academy’s commercial truck driver training program students are given the best in CDL training and put at the front of the line in securing some of the best trucking jobs available. Professional instructors provide hands-on training and graduates are entering often times receiving multiple offers from carriers desperate to find professional truck drivers.

Many job seekers are turning to the commercial trucking industry because of its strong growth and the outlook for even more growth in the years to come. Carriers are looking to find drivers for all routes, whether it be international trips, long-haul or short-haul. However, carriers are also looking for drivers that have received professional training and understand the details of operating a commercial truck and understand how to safely deliver goods.