Truck driver shortage in Germany threatens supply chain

The logistics sector in Germany is facing a major challenge in finding truck drivers. According to data from the Federal Association for Road Haulage, Logistics and Disposal (BGL), there is currently a need for at least 120,000 truck and lorry drivers in the country. Industry representatives state that this staff shortage is causing disruptions in supply chains and that some transport companies are being forced to park their vehicles because they cannot find drivers to operate them.

BGL Board Spokesperson Dirk Engelhardt announced that 30,000 to 35,000 drivers retire each year in the current situation, while the number of new drivers joining the sector is only between 15,000 and 20,000. Engelhardt warned, "The driver shortage will deepen even further in the coming years."

Experts point out that staff shortages in the logistics sector lead to delivery delays, some companies withdrawing from tenders, and costs increasing significantly. Many logistics firms are avoiding entering new transport tenders due to rising personnel expenses and the possibility that freight revenues will not cover costs.

As reported by DW, Engelhardt said that the product shortages occasionally experienced on supermarket shelves are not always caused by price disputes, and that the driver shortage is also a factor in this problem. Approximately 80 percent of products sold in Germany are transported by road. Recalling the toilet paper shortage during the coronavirus pandemic, Engelhardt emphasized that the effects of disruptions in the supply chain are reflected directly in the lives of consumers.

Despite developments in technology, BGL emphasizes that in the short term, autonomous driving technologies supported by sensors, cameras, or artificial intelligence cannot provide a solution to the truck driver shortage.

Engelhardt stated the following:

"Truck drivers are the companions and guardians of the cargo; they are responsible for delivery, transport, and cargo security in accordance with the law. The only element that can intervene in situations that technology cannot foresee is still the human."

ALMOST ONE IN EVERY TWO TRUCKS HAS A FOREIGN LICENSE PLATE

BGL pointed out that possible geopolitical developments in Eastern Europe could further aggravate the personnel problem in the sector. It is estimated that a potential military intervention by Russia in any country in Eastern Europe could lead many foreign truck drivers across Europe to return to their home countries. Engelhardt stated that today, almost half of the trucks on German highways carry foreign license plates, and in the near future, one in every three drivers in vehicles with German license plates will hold a foreign passport.

While it is emphasized that permanent solutions must be produced for the driver shortage for the future of the logistics sector, employers are calling for steps to be taken to attract young workers to the sector and to improve working conditions.