In May this year, there were 30 percent more loads requiring transport at controlled temperatures on the German market than last year.
German industry media report a significant increase in demand for refrigerated transport. From February to May this year it increased more than three times – informs the dvz.de transport portal, stressing that in the fifth month of this year, there were over 30 percent more of cargo transports requiring controlled temperatures than a year ago.
Bottlenecks in logistics
As dvz.de emphasizes, it’s not just about transporting frozen foods or fresh fruit and vegetables. Bottlenecks also concern transportation of medicines, products containing chocolate and cosmetics.
The reason for the so-called bottlenecks in the logistics of perishable goods is both the great downturn, an exceptionally warm spring (fruit imports from South America and Africa to Germany increased by 25% compared to 2017) and the lack of drivers.
According to the German portal freshplaza.de, there is a lack of not only the drivers but also seasonal ramp agents.
There is also a shortage of cold tores, and the citrus season has not yet begun. The real boom is yet to come in Germany … and carriers who should use this exceptional economic situation.
Less and less cold stores and more loads
The warming climate and early spring increased the demand for transport at controlled temperatures. To this should also be added the high standard of living of Germans along with growing consumerism. The world, in terms of logistics, is becoming smaller, and the availability of products from distant countries attracts with exoticism while providing variety and the opportunity to try new flavors – Paweł Tronina, expert on international logistics from the platform Trans.eu, explains the reasons for the increase in demand for transport in controlled temperatures.
According to the expert when it comes to such transports, as well as in the case of other specialized transports, the problem of their availability has been deepening for several years.
Demand for this type of transport is constantly growing, and 2018 shows the scale of growth with practically a constant number of available means of specialized transport – he adds.
According to Paweł Tronina, the market needs not only the largest trucks allowed in Germany, but also medium and small vans with temperature control.
Customers want to have their goods delivered to their seats and in the shortest possible time, hence the need for a whole cross-section of trucks. An additional aspect is the growing lack of drivers across Europe and growing restrictions affecting transport companies, including minimum work in Germany – he says.
As Tronina emphasizes, these tendencies are also noticeable in the Trans.eu Platform.
From the beginning of 2018, each month, there are more and more cargo offers requiring controlled temperature. Unfortunately, the availability of free cargo spaces for this type of transport is becoming smaller. Cargo offers reach high kilometer rates but are still not interesting for carriers. Their trucks are already contracted and in many cases, carriers do not have to worry about working for their rolling stock for the next few months – explains the expert.
Photo: Wikimedia / Norbert Schnitzler CCA SA 3.0
