Informality is widespread across Brazilian industries. Its effects are far-reaching, even contributing to the shortage of professional truck drivers, Vinicios Fernandes, Business Unit Director at IRU member Edenred’s Mobility Brazil programme, told IRU.

For the first time, eTIR operations have been run across the Caspian Sea between Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan and, with Uzbekistan, between three countries. These new services will bring additional transit efficiency, speed and security to the vital Middle Corridor.

Jaime Rodríguez, Director of IRU member CONFEBUS, says the shortage of bus and coach drivers is becoming increasingly visible. While the challenges vary across different segments, addressing them will require smarter policies, better promoting the profession, and measures that help attract and retain drivers.

That is the message from Craig Faucette, Chief Operating Officer at IRU member Trucking HR Canada. He says trucking companies are not facing the same shortage levels seen during and immediately after the pandemic. But this is not because Canada has solved the long-term supply problem.

At the time of IRU’s last fuel prices update, two weeks ago, road transport operators might have thought the worst was behind them. Today, volatility has returned in both crude supply and diesel price dynamics. Government support measures however are not keeping up.

IRU welcomes the Commission’s recognition of road transport as one of the key sectors in its Electrification Action Plan, which is an important step towards creating the conditions needed for operators to invest in electric vehicles.

Uzbekistan has successfully deployed the eTIR National Application, joining its neighbours in fully digitalising TIR road transport operations.