Europe’s Driver Shortage: What’s The Solution?

With driver shortages across Europe, yet a growing demand for shipping, the supply chain and logistics world has been hit with yet again more obstacles. Plus, with billions of tonnes of goods passing through the region every year, this news is daunting for many. Here, we dig deeper into the root cause of Europe’s current road situation and reveal a simple solution for organisations looking to ship.

An ageing workforce 

Latest statistics from IRU show that driver shortage across Europe could mean up to 60% of driver positions will be unfilled by 2026 – causing severe delays within shipping as well as the overall supply chain. And while this can be attributed to a few different factors, experts have warned that it could also be a result of a low uptake in jobs from the younger generation. 

It comes as the pandemic transformed the way we live and work, with many seeking an improved work-life balance. It’s believed that up to 30% of drivers will retire by 2026, but the rate of younger replacements is up to 7 times less. Increasingly, younger workers are looking for jobs that mean they don’t have to be away from home for long periods of time, which has had a big impact on the number of young people applying for jobs within road transport. 

What’s more, government officials are aware they can’t change this new way of thinking – at least overnight – and are instead turning their attention to the delivery routes. 

A ripple effect

Hauliers are now being asked to replan their trips across Europe, splitting up long journeys with driver rotas, while ensuring that individuals will only be away from home for one night. But this very idea has been met with criticism across the sector with those smaller and medium-sized organisations highlighting that this approach just isn’t feasible. 

Additional commentary in the sector has focused on lowering the qualification age, implementing more training incentives for drivers, and it’s also been suggested that programmes should be developed to allow handlers to work their way up to become drivers. 

One thing’s for sure, driver shortage has a bigger effect than just impacting timely deliveries. It impacts overall supply chain management, pricing and even service offering – and this has become more apparent over the past few months. It’s no surprise that we’re seeing a bigger push for rail shipping, as well as unaccompanied movements and backloads. 

How Far Logistics can help

If you are required to send goods by road across Europe, you can still do this, but it does require a little forward planning – which is where Far Logistics comes in. Our European Road freight service is tailored to suit your requirements and we even offer express delivery throughout the region. 

Not just that but our groupage services enable you to transport small goods across Europe in a cost-effective way. And we’re even able to collect full and part trailer loads, thanks to a Pan European network, once more ensuring the timely delivery of your goods.

We’re proud to have built up a reputation for reliability in the sector and we’re able to do this because of our strong relationships with partner agents across in Barcelona, Irun, Madrid, Lisbon, Como, and Verona, as well as our ETSF customs bonded warehouses, which mean goods can be transferred quickly and efficiently without delay or rent charges. 

As well as this, our team conducts daily collections and twice weekly departures to designated agents so you can rest easy with the knowledge that we’re going above and beyond to ensure prompt delivery of your cargo. 

If you have any questions about the information above or want to discuss how Far Logistics could help you, don’t hesitate to get in touch.