Very few industries will escape the negative impact of Covid-19 – and the road freight sector is no exception.According to economist Mike Schüssler, it is not just in South Africa where transporting companies are facing collapse and closure, but around the world logistics is a mess.“Trucks are standing at borders, vessels are waiting outside ports, and aircraft have been grounded for months. The situation we are dealing with is very real and very scary.”Describing it as the deepest economic recession of our time, he said the forecasts were extremely negative.“The IMF expects -3% for the world economy, but has already said there is uncertainty in this number. It’s important to note that the IMF has overestimated the world GDP by an average of 0.3% in the past decade,” he said. “While I can go along with decline this year, what is concerning is that the forecast for next year is far from positive, with some big research houses looking at a 6% decline.”He said world container volumes had dropped for three consecutive months and further declines were expected. Cargo transfers from one country to another had also declined by nearly 40%.Schüssler was particularly worried about the road freight sector. As non-essential goods remained in storage, trucks stood parked at depots.“Road freight volumes are at the lowest since 2008,” he said. “Figures for traffic passing the Tugela Toll Plaza show how much the truck levels have dropped. We are looking at 12- to 15-year lows, with truck traffic back at 1994 levels.”He said while road transport had not been the worst hit – airfreight had suffered even more – the situation was worrying and operators needed to take note.“We are seeing big declines in trucking volumes all over the world. It will pick up, but it will take months, if not years, to get back to normal.” Lashing & Securing of Containerised & Break Bulk Project Cargo On Site Project Crating & Heat Power Shrink Rigging & Container Packing Services Suppliers of all Cargo Securing Products ISPM Fumigation ServicesYOUR CARGO IN SECURE HANDS+27 (0) 78 231 9694 | pooven.m@cargolash.co.za+27 (0) 81 485 1982 | philani@cargolash.co.zaProud member of the National Stevedoring Association of South Africa (NASASA)For more services visit www.cargolash.co.zaFN8968