Coronavirus and Supply Chain Updates for Truckers
Published on
August 13, 2021 at 9:00:00 AM PDT August 13, 2021 at 9:00:00 AM PDTth, August 13, 2021 at 9:00:00 AM PDT
The Continuing Journey for Truckers
Since Coronavirus first reared its end at the beginning of 2020, it's been a long haul for the nation's 3.5 million truckers. While the rest of the world saw lockdowns and distancing, truckers have continued to keep the country running and supplied with grocery, paper, and essential medical items – and it doesn't look like it's over yet.
With new variations of COVID-19 now making headlines in every state and new kinks in the already-struggling supply chain, the challenges faced by drivers, technicians, and fleet owner/operators continue to change a year and a half later.
The Emergence of the Delta Variant Across the Country
First discovered in India, the Delta variant of Coronavirus prompted the Centers for Disease Control to release updated guidelines at the end of July, recommending vaccination coverage and wearing masks in indoor public places. The Delta variant is thought to cause more infections and spread faster than early forms of SARS-CoV-2, what we more commonly refer to as Coronavirus or COVID-19.
So, what does this mean for truckers? In addition to mandatory mask-wearing on the rise again in some areas including St. Louis, Los Angeles County, Philadelphia, and Savannah, trucking experts also predict an increase in freight due to diversions from sporting events, concerts, and other social gatherings.
"As to trucking-related impact of the COVID resurgence, one of the keys to this cycle has been the diversion of consumer spending from services (sports, converts, restaurants, etc.) to spending on goods," said American Central Transport President and Senior Analyst Kenny Vieth in a previous statement.
"To the extent that consumers pulled back from social activities due to the rise in the pandemic, what the past year has shown is that we will still spend our money. So, if there are fewer concert and sporting event tickets sold and fewer hotel stays, the implication would be that there will be more freight to haul."
New Hold-Ups in the Supply Chain
New developments in the pandemic don't just stop at vaccines, masks, and new variants to the virus. At a time when the U.S. supply chain is already overburdened and behind schedule, new COVID-19 restrictions in Southeast Asia are adding additional strain to oceangoing traffic.
As of early August, lockdowns in South Vietnam have caused a 100,000 teu (twenty-foot equivalent unit) pile-up at Cat Lai port in Ho Chi Minh City. Ports at Shanghai and Ningbo also report facing more congestion. In Cat Lai, Saigon Newport reports a yard density of about 85% with 106,700 teu currently clogging the terminal.
Although about 2,000 containers have reportedly cleared, this rapid surge of import containers in Vietnam and China may see the supply chain needing even more time to level out. Industry experts forecast that 2022 will already be well underway before the supply chain begins to see real relief.
Regardless of what the rest of 2021 brings, we'll continue to move forward together and work as hard as we can to get you the parts you need, when you need them, and at the price points that work for your business. Check out our full haul of heavy-duty everything and let's keep rolling!