THE AIR cargo industry cannot escape the consequences coming from the lack of drivers in the road haulage industry, according to European Shippers' Council chairman Denis Choumert, who is calling for all supply chain partners to work together to overcome this challenge and for TIACA to take a leading role.
'The lack of drivers is not a new problem and is spreading to the other logistics sectors making the whole supply chain vulnerable. The average age of drivers is already quite high and it is difficult to attract new drivers to the industry,' Mr Choumert was cited as saying in a column published by The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA).
'Automation (platooning and autonomous driving) makes potential drivers question the sustainability of the profession. However, we still need to wait for at least 10-15 years before these automated solutions become operational in real life. Thus, there is a gap that should be covered and solutions to be found for the years to come and further on.
'TIACA having representatives from all parts of the supply chain is in a good position to step in and encourage a change. Coordination between all the stakeholders is the key to success in this endeavour,' continued Mr Choumert.
'The goal is clear: to transport cargo in a more efficient way (considering an increase in volume in the years to come) and to make the process reliable and effective using the resources available and combining them with optimisation and innovation.
'Bringing in digitalisation can make the supply chain more visible and will enable the exchange of information among the supply chain partners. This would allow a better use of the available transport. A good example of an implemented well-functioning practice is the slot allocation for trucks delivering or collecting their consignments from the airport.
'Digitalisation will also allow more certainty about the estimated time of arrival (ETA). To know the ETA, as it has been highlighted at TIACA discussions on KPIs, is crucial for shippers. In road transport industry (e-CMR) and in air cargo many other initiatives are ongoing but it is essential to combine them.
Turning to the issue of autonomous driving, Mr Choumert noted that 'the first pilots in autonomous driving have been focused mainly on platooning. In platooning several trucks are interconnected while only the driver in the leading truck is actively driving. The challenge here is to develop a real business case.
'The increase of security and the reduction of fuel used will be probably not enough to convince hauliers and shippers. More benefits - more flexible driving and resting times for the following drivers - will have to be added.'
He also said that to address the shortage of personnel the image of logistics has to be improved. One way to do this would be to design campaigns specifically to achieve this goal. Such campaigns 'would have to come not just from one group of stakeholders in isolation from the others but from shippers, ground handlers, logistics services providers etc. together.
'Also measures could be taken to make drivers feel welcome at a shippers' or integrator's premises. Some integrators have already started with this kind of measures allowing drivers to benefit from facilities like coffee, showers, and toilets.'
'The lack of drivers is not a new problem and is spreading to the other logistics sectors making the whole supply chain vulnerable. The average age of drivers is already quite high and it is difficult to attract new drivers to the industry,' Mr Choumert was cited as saying in a column published by The International Air Cargo Association (TIACA).
'Automation (platooning and autonomous driving) makes potential drivers question the sustainability of the profession. However, we still need to wait for at least 10-15 years before these automated solutions become operational in real life. Thus, there is a gap that should be covered and solutions to be found for the years to come and further on.
'TIACA having representatives from all parts of the supply chain is in a good position to step in and encourage a change. Coordination between all the stakeholders is the key to success in this endeavour,' continued Mr Choumert.
'The goal is clear: to transport cargo in a more efficient way (considering an increase in volume in the years to come) and to make the process reliable and effective using the resources available and combining them with optimisation and innovation.
'Bringing in digitalisation can make the supply chain more visible and will enable the exchange of information among the supply chain partners. This would allow a better use of the available transport. A good example of an implemented well-functioning practice is the slot allocation for trucks delivering or collecting their consignments from the airport.
'Digitalisation will also allow more certainty about the estimated time of arrival (ETA). To know the ETA, as it has been highlighted at TIACA discussions on KPIs, is crucial for shippers. In road transport industry (e-CMR) and in air cargo many other initiatives are ongoing but it is essential to combine them.
Turning to the issue of autonomous driving, Mr Choumert noted that 'the first pilots in autonomous driving have been focused mainly on platooning. In platooning several trucks are interconnected while only the driver in the leading truck is actively driving. The challenge here is to develop a real business case.
'The increase of security and the reduction of fuel used will be probably not enough to convince hauliers and shippers. More benefits - more flexible driving and resting times for the following drivers - will have to be added.'
He also said that to address the shortage of personnel the image of logistics has to be improved. One way to do this would be to design campaigns specifically to achieve this goal. Such campaigns 'would have to come not just from one group of stakeholders in isolation from the others but from shippers, ground handlers, logistics services providers etc. together.
'Also measures could be taken to make drivers feel welcome at a shippers' or integrator's premises. Some integrators have already started with this kind of measures allowing drivers to benefit from facilities like coffee, showers, and toilets.'