RE: Freight15 Jan 2021 16:14
The UK logistics market continues to face challenges, resulting in a fragmented supply chain and ongoing delays to the movement of freight. This is due to the continued impact of COVID-19, as well as the recent UK exit of the European single market on 1st January 2021.
Truck drivers going top France are now required to provide a negative COVID-19 test result that has been taken less than 72 hours before departure from the UK. This requirement is set to continue until COVID cases drop significantly in the UK and to help facilitate testing, the UK Government is taking steps to help haulers get tested before they travel to Kent or any port heading to France, this includes:
10 new testing centres for HGV drivers have opened across country, with more to open over course of January
Additional support for haulage firms to establish their own testing centres at depots, with kits provided free of charge
HGVs using Dover and Eurotunnel will get fast-tracked past queues if they get tested before arriving in Kent
Hauliers are urged to ensure all correct documentation, including Kent Access Permits are in order before arriving at Kent to ensure they can cross the channel
In the meantime, the shortage of available trailer equipment has eased. However, there are still some concerns that lorry drivers may avoid travelling to the United Kingdom because of the heightened risk of infection and the possibility of not being allowed to leave the country.
With regards to air freight, we have already seen several carriers cancel operations, as others are currently reviewing their flying programme. However, airlines will continue to operate on a cargo-only basis, where possible. In the event of airlines being unable to fly on a cargo-only basis due to local regulations, this is likely to cause further delays, and may lead to carriers increasing their rates during this period of reduced capacity.
UK Port operations have been heavily impacted due to COVID regulations, and this is now compounded further by a peak in import volumes, excessive empty export containers stored at the ports and a shortage of drivers. This problem is most acute in the Port of Felixstowe and ocean carriers are diverting to other UK ports, not fully discharging, loading vessels due to berthing delays or omitting UK ports all together. In addition, ocean carriers are struggling to move export containers from the quay. Import and export freight are both impacted and the shipping lines are now introducing UK port surcharges and increasing container haulage prices.
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