Author:jaco-de-klerk

Transport Month: Pulling the wool over our eyes? September 12, 2024 “Every October, South Africa dedicates an entire month to highlight the critical role of transportation in the nation’s economic and social development. Known as Transport Month, this initiative serves as a platform to showcase advancements in the sector, address ongoing challenges, and promote sustainable mobility solutions across the country.” Or is this just a commemorative event to pull the wool over our eyes? JACO DE KLERK reports. The brief […]

AI rules the roost July 3, 2024 Day by day, artificial intelligence (AI) is being used across more industries. Although it had a slow start in freight forwarding, AI is getting ready to rule the roost in this sector … A tad over four years ago, Matt Leonard, a reporter at Supply Chain Dive – a division of the online business-to-business news organisation Industry Dive – highlighted that only 12% of supply chain professionals were using AI in their operations. […]

Navigating turbulent waters July 22, 2024 The global container shipping industry is experiencing significant turbulence in 2024, with dramatic price fluctuations and shifting market dynamics. All hope isn’t lost, however. Recent data from Container xChange, an online marketplace for container trading and leasing, reveals a complex interplay of factors affecting the industry. From unexpected price surges to cautious consumer behaviour, the container shipping market is navigating choppy waters as we’ve entered into the second half of the year. Price surge […]

Don’t get caught without cyber insurance! April 12, 2024 We discover why cybersecurity and insurance are important for transport operators. Eric Miller, a senior reporter at US-based trucking and freight transportation publication Transport Topics, says it best: “The rise of cybersecurity adversaries and the confirmation of potential security flaws in technologies deployed by fleets underscores the urgent need for motor carriers [transport operators] to take these threats seriously.” He quotes Urban Jonson, senior vice president of information technology and cybersecurity […]

A glimpse into an autonomous future June 10, 2024 The light commercial vehicle (LCV) segment is booming due to a rise in last-mile deliveries, thanks to increased e-commerce. This sector is also filled with a myriad new developments… Global Market Insights (GMI), a US-based global market research and management consulting company, reveals that the LCV market size was valued at US$6.1 trillion in 2023. It is estimated to register a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of over 8% between 2024 […]

Rentals on the rise May 14, 2024 Times are tough. Vehicle rentals might help operators to curb costs, while doing their part for the environment as well… The global commercial vehicle rental and leasing market stood at US$93.7 billion in 2022, according to a report from TechSci Research, a research-based management consulting firm. In its piece, “Commercial Vehicle Rental and Leasing Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2028”, it highlights that this sector is anticipated […]

Interlinked mechanics strengthens supply chain May 3, 2024 We delve into the main challenges plaguing the supply chain industry and see how this year’s trends could help to address these problems. “Our global supply chains are stressed and under pressure, not only because of material shortfalls and shipping delays, but also due to labour shortages in key sectors,” writes Joe McKendrick in his Harvard Business Review piece, “How to Address the Supply-Chain Staffing Crisis”. It comes as no surprise that […]

Autonomy set to soar May 15, 2024 Extra-heavy commercial vehicles (EHCVs) have moved firmly into the world of electrification. JACO DE KLERK takes a look at another advance that is thriving in this sector. Advancements in EHCVs have accelerated over the last couple of years. Not long ago, electrification of these massive movers was thought to be a “pie in the sky” idea, with autonomous driving reserved for sci-fi shows and movies. Now, however, these vehicles are adopting electric (and […]

Can public transport drive social mobility? April 19, 2024 “A good public transport system is necessary for social upward mobility and economic growth,” notes the simplified version of the Draft National Public Transport Subsidy Policy. Truer words could not have been spoken. But hasn’t public transport already been subsidised for decades? The short answer is yes. However, there hasn’t ever been a national subsidy structure for public transport, as pointed out by Darko Skribensik, CEO of transport specialist consultancy Future […]

Robots to the rescue? April 11, 2024 The global logistics industry serves as the backbone of international trade, but severe labour shortages are threatening to hamper future growth worldwide in this sector. A new generation of AI-enabled robots could, however, help to tackle these challenges. As demand has skyrocketed, companies have invested heavily in robotics and automation. As the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) points out, sales of professional service robots for the transportation of goods and cargo grew by […]