No one needs to be told how much Covid-19 has changed the way we live and work, but it’s had a profound impact on transport for multiple reasons. The transport infrastructure in Australia has coped admirably compared to many industries and has grown at the same time, largely due to online shopping.
Shopping Habits Have Changed
The forced transition to online shopping instead of in-store is a habit, and habits tend to be long lasting. Once consumers have adapted and made the switch there seems little reason to revert. Online shopping went from a “convenience” to a “necessity” overnight, and nearly all that has been down to the supply and delivery chain of drivers. According to an Australia Post report, the count of households that ordered online was up 4.9% in one year (June 2020 to July 2021) indicating a 26.9% YOY growth.
The numbers are similar across all areas of business from deliveries from local stores to online delivery and all the stats are perfectly understandable due to the virus. With increasing demand, this puts a greater demand on transport resources.
Now Transport is More Important
With a huge increase in parcel deliveries (and deliveries to support suppliers in turn) there has been a huge juggling act to balance resources, adhere to new and changing guidelines while meeting consumer demands from the transport and freight industry. Our industry went from important to literally essential in a very short space of time. It’s predicted that the number of drivers will increase in the next 5 years. According to the government’s Job Outlook site, there were an estimated 72,000 truck/delivery drivers in 2020, which is forecast to grow to 79,800 by 2025.
This means there has never been a better time to be a driver with more work available and potentially better pay. This also means there is now even more importance on keeping your rig running reliably or a better time to expand your business with another truck to add to your fleet.
Tasmanian Transport Association executive director Michelle Harwood has stated that her state alone could absorb another 100 truck drivers “at a minimum”, given the size of Tasmania, then it’s not hard to see what this could mean for New South Wales and Queensland etc.
Increase Demand Flows Downhill
Demand comes from consumers, whether deliveries are for industry or the public, they are all driven by public demand. The increase in online shopping and the deliveries that support it placed an increased demand on logistics and freight, meaning an increased demand on companies, trucks and drivers. But it doesn’t stop there, then there is an increased demand on truck stops for maintenance, parts, fuel, more trucks and eventually more drivers.
This increased deman also means an increase on lead times, an ongong trend we have seen since complications with COVID19 has impacted on factories worldwide. We work hard with our customers to minimise these delays as much as possible to reduce any impact on their business and ultimately their productivity. Our best advice to customers, is where possible, to plan ahead to avoid delays in managing your transport and fleet requirements.
Moving Forward
With Covid-19 an ever-present uncertainty in all our lives, for the time being, the future is obviously a bit unpredictable. But one thing you can count on is that Daimler Trucks Murwillumbah’s Services are here to support you in any way we can. Call our team on (02) 6672 6159.