Driver shortages: UK international hauliers not alone

One of the aims of this weekly blog with its international perspective is to highlight how we as an industry have the same challenges, opportunities and knowledge with others in the same sector but in different parts of the world. Following on from last weeks article highlighting driver shortages, UK international hauliers may take some comfort that they are not alone.

Germany estimates that there is a current shortage of 100,000 drivers, and should the country be drawn into an armed conflict that number would increase to 400,000, if that gap isn’t closed hauliers will be unable to properly function in a crisis, the industry blames its own reliance on Eastern European drivers who are now steadily returning to their home countries.

Meanwhile, Poland’s hauliers report that the sector is facing its deepest crisis for 25 years because of driver shortage and unfair competition.

It is estimated to be short of approximately 150,000 drivers, and Poland’s increasing reliance on the recruitment of non-EU nationals is being hampered by extreme delays in issuing EU visas which can take several months. The EU has extended the exception of Ukrainian hauliers requiring permits to enter the EU several times, the result has been that Ukrainian hauliers have increased the number of EU truck journeys annually from 200,000 to 1 million, generally crossing into Poland empty and then tramping around the EU with various loads. Polish hauliers are predicting mass bankruptcies due to this unfair competition, a terrible position that the UK industry knows only too well to its own detriment since 1992 onwards, could things go full circle and UK hauliers once again become a safe per of hands in an increasingly fragile market and what a boost to the UK economy that could be?

Taking back control of our borders isn’t working according to the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Efra) Committee in the Farmers Weekly; Britain is facing a major national security and food safety threat due to the unchecked smuggling of illegal meat through its borders. The committees report notes that “alarming quantities of meat and dairy products are being illegally imported into GB for personal and commercial sale”.

The report highlights the health dangers posed by unregulated meat, including the risk of contamination from bacteria, viruses, or parasites due to poor slaughter, handling, and storage conditions. Staff from Dover Port Health Authority reported being overwhelmed. “There are literally hundreds of targeted vehicles driving straight past as we do not have the resources to stop and search,” they told MPs.

In response, Defra noted an 84% increase in illegal meat seizures from 2022 to 2024. “We will consider the recommendations of the Efra committee as we continue to work closely with port operators, industry, trade partners and Border Force to protect our food security, farmers and economy.”