Author:jaco-de-klerk

The tides of container transport  July 20, 2023 Demurrage and detention (D&D) charges increased drastically during the pandemic. Even though they’re falling again in 2023, there is still much uncertainty within the container transport sector. “Freight forwarders and shippers are no strangers to the dreaded demurrage and detention charges,” explains Container xChange – an online marketplace and operating platform for container logistics companies – in its piece, Demurrage and detention: Find out how to save money in top ports 2023. […]

Mitigating risk and rewarding safety  July 11, 2023 Many fleet managers and logistics companies are confronted with unique threats and risks on a daily basis. JACO DE KLERK dives into the world of fleet risk management to highlight how the right insurer and “dry driving” can lighten the load. Arrive Alive says it best in its piece Fleet Insurance and Truck Insurance for Commercial Vehicles: “Businesses operating in the transport industry, which deploy vehicles to an especially far-reaching and intensive […]

What’s up in the used market? June 20, 2023 Are prices rising or falling, and is it still possible to get a great deal? We talk to Thabo Moloi, general manager of used trucks and buses at Daimler Truck Southern Africa (DTSA), to shed some light on the situation. Moloi, who is also a member of the DTSA executive committee, handles the overall management of the used trucks portfolio – a role he assumed on 1 February 2023. He also […]

Securing supply chain success  May 31, 2023 Cross-border shipping can be challenging for businesses aiming to expand internationally, and many turn to third-party logistics providers (3PLs) for help. Andrew Welling, vice president and general manager of brokerage operations at TA Services, highlights five ways in which 3PLs are advantageous to cross-border shipping. “Cross-border freight shipping can be a complex and challenging process for businesses that want to move goods across international borders,” Welling stresses. “There are many logistical and regulatory […]

Green crusaders? May 26, 2023 Frans Timmermans, executive vice president of the European Commission for the European Green Deal, highlights the fact that heavy-duty vehicles are responsible for more than a quarter of greenhouse gas (GhG) emissions from road transport. Nevertheless, JACO DE KLERK discovers that extra-heavy commercial vehicles could play an important role as green crusaders. During his opening remarks at a press conference on the revision of CO2 standards for heavy-duty vehicles, Timmermans pointed out that 99% of […]

Tyre technology on a roll March 9, 2023 In its piece The Invention of the Wheel, ThoughtCo* notes that the oldest known wheel – discovered in archaeological excavations in modern-day Iraq – comes from Mesopotamia and is believed to be over 5 500 years old. “It was not used for transportation, though, but rather as a potter’s wheel,” states the article. Regardless, the combination of the wheel and axle made early forms of transportation possible. These became more sophisticated over time […]

From telecommunications to essential technology March 13, 2023 Telematics isn’t a new concept, but with the rise of electric and autonomous vehicles it has moved from a nice-to-have to a near necessity. JACO DE KLERK reports. Redtail Telematics, a provider of Global Positioning System (GPS)-enabled fleet tracking products with headquarters in the US and UK, provides an informative breakdown of the history of telematics in its blog post, Redtail Telematics – A brief history of telematics, by Samantha Olsson. “To discover […]

From rolling libraries to a must-see museum March 14, 2023 Medium commercial vehicles (MCVs) have long been praised for the customisation that they offer and the diverse range of applications for which they can be used. JACO DE KLERK takes a look at two quirky conversions and pays homage to a legend. First up is a heart-warming tale of community connection: a mobile library that provides reading material to people around Iwaki, a small town near the Pacific coast in […]

Chasing rainbows? February 27, 2023 Alternative fuels are all the rage, but is South Africa ready for them? Should we, rather, be focusing on getting the foundation right and using technology that could work on the continent before we pursue this route? JACO DE KLERK reports. Sunny South Africa is a wonderful country, but it does have its own set of unique challenges. Loadshedding, corruption, sub-par infrastructure: the list goes on… The world is embracing alternative fuels and electric drivetrains in […]

From dots to big data December 7, 2022 Fleet management has changed from a dot on a map, providing simple tracking data, to a full suite of services that plays a vital role in supply chains and businesses. JACO DE KLERK chats to two leaders in the fleet management sphere for more insight into this essential service. Fleet management is paramount in this day and age. “On-demand software services enhance vehicle performance and improve driver safety, fleet security, efficiency, sustainability, and compliance,” […]