4 Ways to Best Manage International Delivery Work

Borders have been crossed in the name of transportation since the beginning of civilisation. But the nature of these borders, and consequently the process of crossing them, has decidedly changed.

It has not so much been the issue of rules and regulations that has impacted long-distance haulage, as the complexities to managing these distances as an owner operator or driver.

Vehicle maintenance

Of key importance in navigating long distances is the quality of your vehicle. Typically, the sheer number of trucks and vans on the road at any given time has given rise to specialist vehicles designed for delivery work that crosses borders. Since sometimes these borders pose issues – such as limited crossing times and changes in time zones which affects deadlines – most vehicles need to have the durability and efficiency to stay on the road for long periods of time. It is therefore highly important to invest not only in fuel-efficient vehicles, but ones with the proper standards of comfort, flexibility and longevity.

Driver reliability

In trade zones such as the EU, it can be quite simple for any number of people from any number of nationalities to engage in delivery work across borders in multiple countries. It can seem basic at first to employ to work as a driver who is experienced in driving. But there is more to driver reliability than this. To manage fatigue, traffic changes, border controls and especially the risks related to hazardous cargo, drivers need to have a range of skills coupled with a mental ability to drive to their limits but not beyond. The better ones will know when to rest and when to drive in such a way that consistently helps them reach long haul destinations on time.

Route management

While there may be limited border crossings between certain countries, there is any number of routes a driver can take when doing long-distance delivery work. Whether or not your cargo is large or small, light or heavy, basic or complex, on the road you need to develop a good plan to manage the journey. On any given job you face heavy-vehicle measuring stations, urban traffic, tollways, checkpoints, road closures, rest stops and changing road rules, all of which can affect the quality and effectiveness of the route you choose to take.

Fuel expenses

The cost of fuel is a bugbear for those in delivery work, and its pressures roar the louder in long-distance travel. There is, in one sense, no way to obviate this pressure apart from garnering more work with which to compensate for the expenses. But it is also wise to consider using routes that take into account changing fuel prices, and meeting the dead mileage of return trips with return loads that add value to every moment fuel is being expended.

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