Global shortage of HGV drivers & huge port delays result in a challenging year ahead for many industries

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We apologise for the inconvenience with backdated orders & delays, We try to keep you updated to the best of our ability, unfortunately we cannot foresee these delays due to the global shipping issues & UK haulage crisis. The delays are not just apparent in our sector, but globally across all.

 

Issues at the ports

Due to the current UK situation involving Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, industries are facing the most challenging year yet, and we may see these disruptions way into the end of the year and into the next. The main container terminal in China has recently experienced an outbreak of COVID-19, resulting in it’s closure, this has therefore created a knock on effect at other ports across the country, creating a backlog of shipments and shortages of staff to manage the intake. Not only this, but the recent blocking of the Suez canal has also added to the already delayed ongoing situation.


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The global nature of the sector, and the lack of spare capacity within it, means that problems in one region can have ripple effects around the world for several months.

Since late May, the terminal has been operating at a fraction of its normal capacity, with operations restricted due to controlling the spread of Covid. This has led to severe congestion, with dozens of ships waiting outside the port for a berth to become available.

Global shortage of HGV drivers

The industry leaders are warning gaps on shelves, this is largely down to a collapse of supply chains triggered by the shortfoll of around 60,000 HGV drivers, it may be that, because of this, the army could be drafted in to meet the demands and distribute produce to retailers and supermarkets.

A delegate from Premier Foods, which owns brands including Mr Kipling, Bisto, Ambrosia and Paxo, pointed out that some military personnel hold HGV licences.

This was one of many ideas put forward in an industry brainstorming session,” a spokesperson said, while insisting the firm had “plans in place to manage the situation within our supply chain.