While it’s true that the immense growth of remote working stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly reduced some forms of traffic, the transport industry is actually more important than ever before. Online orders have skyrocketed, with people unable (or unwilling) to shop in stores having their purchases shipped directly to them — so the demand on haulage companies has actually increased substantially.
And since so many people have been furloughed or fired (or had their working hours reduced), there are plenty of professionals eager to seek new career opportunities. This means that a lot of people are moving into the transport industry (or planning to move into it).
There’s a lot to learn, though. Every industry has its unique elements and challenges, and the transport industry is no exception. So if someone is new to the transport industry, how should they proceed? Here are five tips that should help them make solid progress:
Invest in fuel cards for fleets
Operating efficiently is mission-critical in the transport world, and that means cutting costs wherever possible. When you’re trying to make a fleet function more economically, fuel cards can be extremely effective: for example, fuel cards from iCompario can offer fantastic benefits ranging from discounts on particular types of fuel to the use of supermarket fuel stations. Some fuel cards are free, while others require monthly fees. Either way, they’re worth investing in.
Start following technology blogs
The transport world is heavily affected by the development of technology, and there could be some major changes in the next decade as things like self-driving vehicles get closer to mainstream viability. To stay ahead of the competition and prepare for these major changes, you need to know what’s happening in the tech world, so get into the habit of reading tech blogs.
Ensure COVID-19 compliance
Though the transport industry needs to keep going (almost on a 24/7 basis), it also needs to adapt to suit the times. Most notably, this means ensuring compliance with safety regulations developed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Warehouses can easily become breeding grounds for infections, so paying attention to the latest advice on health screening and patiently following recommendations is absolutely essential.
Read up on forms of insurance
Insurance is something every transport worker needs to understand very well. When a huge vehicle breaks down and a vital shipment is missed, how does the coverage work? How do you issue a claim? It’s always a sensible idea to shop around for the best deals: researching transport insurance through Simply Business is a good place to start your search. Even if you’re confident that you already have a solid idea of insurance basics, take the time to review all forms of insurance that pertain to vehicles (and look for any additional tips you can find on the topic).
Study logistics methods
The logistics side of transport is immensely complex, bringing in all the other elements we’ve mentioned here, and smart use of logistics is the key to success. If you’re unsure about the overarching operation of a transport company, then you should put time into studying transport logistics — and this is true regardless of what role you have in the industry. Everyone involved should know roughly how things are run, as cohesion is hugely important.
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