The driver shortage the sector has been struggling with for years remains an acute problem if existing capacity is not handled more efficiently. IT and collaboration play an important role in this, argues ChainCargo. The transport platform is committed to making smarter use of existing transport movements.
The shortage of truck drivers has been a problem for years. IRU (the International Road Transport Union) calculated in 2019 that European transport companies fail to fill 21% of driver seats. An ageing population, unattractive working conditions and a negative image are seen as the major culprits. Yet according to ChainCargo, one of the main causes often goes unmentioned: the incomplete use of trucks already on the road
According to Eurostat, 12.3% of European road transport drove unladen in 2018. In the Netherlands, this represents almost 30 per cent of all road freight transport. In the UK alone, drivers drive some 241 million unnecessary kilometres every year, for example because they drive full out and (partly) empty back.
Digitalisation and cooperation
How can that capacity be better utilised? Digitalisation and collaboration have a big role to play in this, believes Eindhoven startup ChainCargo. Carriers should be given the opportunity to jointly share capacity and location with shippers. Only then can empty space be used optimally to transport loads.
ChainCargo launched a transport platform in 2018 to foster such collaboration. Using a smart algorithm, the online platform connects shippers with available capacity from carriers. This can range from one envelope to eight pallets or Full Truck Loads (FTL). By using drivers who are already on the road anyway, the startup offers a solution to the driver shortage while saving CO2 emissions.
This month, the company added five features to its platform to make it easier for shippers to find available capacity. For example, FTL services can now be booked fully online - something that was previously only possible for courier services.
"With the further development of our platform, companies can book all their shipments even faster," says Giovanni Gubbels, co-founder of ChainCargo. "Through further automation, we are getting closer and closer to our goal: linking as many shippers as possible to available transport capacity. This way, we eliminate unnecessary, empty kilometres and ensure a positive impact on the climate, traffic jams and the driver shortage.
