The trucking industry is reeling from the impact of Covid-19.
According to Sue Moodley, chair of the Durban Harbour Carriers’ Association, it is imperative that the economy is opened as quickly as possible to limit damage to companies.
“Transport companies have been impacted severely as they have been unable to service delivery clients. Initially, in level 5, only essential containers were moving out of the Port of Durban. Non-essential containers were either being railed to the various depots or being moved by carrier haulage.
All of this has impacted the transporters financially.”According to Moodley companies have had to re-strategise their businesses and become Covid-19 ready to ensure that they can operate at maximum levels within the restrictive environment of lockdown.“Our industry is facing some real challenges.
Our staff have had to change how they operate completely. Drivers, for example, now have to ensure that they adhere to proper Covid-19 personal protective equipment when going into a client’s premises to unpack cargo, and sanitising has become compulsory,” she said. “We need to be mindful of the future, and the impact it may have on employment in our sector. With industries opening, more staff are returning to work, and many are using public transport, so we need to take note of this and ensure the necessary precautions are taken daily.”
But, said Moodley, there was also opportunity for transporters willing to embrace change.
“Transport companies will have to look at new ways of running their business models, and because of social distancing they will have to work on more virtual platforms than previously.“Remote methods of working will become the norm. Our way of communicating will be more virtual, than personal or one-on-one. Our way of transacting will become more paperless, due to less contact in the pandemic.”The Port of Durban.
