London, UK: Well over 50% of logistics operators predict their business will perform the same or better in 2023 than in 2022, despite economic pressures, according to Asset Alliance Group’s annual industry monitor.
The fifth survey, carried out in association with Motor Transport and Commercial Motor, found that the biggest concern for respondents in the next 12 months is the gloomy economic outlook, which was cited by 28%, with the rising costs of fuel and energy a close second (24%).
Rising operational costs were cited by 15% and almost a fifth of companies are primarily worried by the shortage of skilled labour – 11% lacking heavy goods vehicle drivers and 8% lacking HGV technicians
The survey also revealed that 84% of operators are not running any alternative-fuelled vehicles currently and that number only falls to 75% in the next three years.
“With decarbonisation the biggest challenge facing the transport and logistics industry for decades, the survey of operators’ plans to transition from diesel to cleaner fuels throws up some surprising results – little progress is predicted over the next three years,” says the report.
City initiatives and regulations such as clean air zones and the Direct Vision Standard were deemed the major challenges this year by 10% of respondents.
“Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the issue of Brexit seems to have lost none of its sting; several respondents said it had caused extra paperwork, made them unable to compete, or had caused labour shortages,” says the report.
Asset Alliance’s chief executive Willie Paterson says: “In the wake of the pandemic, our sector has come back strongly but is now facing other economic issues. High fuel and energy costs and ongoing supply issues mean we must all think carefully about efficiency and cost control, while keeping one eye on what lies ahead.
“But this is no time for doom and gloom. The road transport sector remains resilient and in good health.”
