How the Logistics Industry is Continuing to Deliver Critical Supplies During the COVID-19 Pandemic?

Since the coronavirus outbreak began, the logistics industry is trying to determine the impact for now and the future.  While freight is still being shipped, there are some significant changes within the logistics industry and shipping.

Truckloads are a Crucial Component

The trucking industry plays a critical role in the U.S. economy and now it can truly be seen.

Truckloads are as crucial as ever as they deliver groceries, cleaning products and medical supplies.  Many drivers’ hauls have significantly changed, and the roads are quieter than ever.  With more people staying at home, it is allowing trucks to reach their destinations faster.

The Department of Transport (DOT) has created a policy allowing for an emergency overweight permit if they are transporting something that is in direct response to the emergency.

National Emergency Declaration in Response to COVID-19

The food industry supplies have been challenging as buying patterns have shifted and with panic buying and stocking creating temporary shortages of grocery staples.

All modes of transportation have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic with trucking being the most critical for getting products to the final retail destination.  In order to ease the logistics challenges, both the government and businesses have stepped up to alleviate the logistic challenges.

The US Department of Transportation’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) declares a national emergency to provide hours of service regulatory relief to commercial vehicle drivers moving “emergency relief” in response to COVID-19.  This is the first time that it has been done in the United States.

While the declaration primarily covered medical supplies, equipment, and medical personnel, it also includes food for “emergency restocking of stores”.  Not only are truck drivers included in this but also includes those supporting the transporting of medical and food, dispatchers, mechanics, truck stop and rest area workers and employees of businesses that provide services that enable logistics operations.  These services include cooling, packing, storing, and distributing products for wholesale or retail sale or use.

The American Trucking Association Maintaining Movement of Goods

The American Trucking Association (ATA) has been working with state and national governments and law enforcement on its immediate priority of maintaining the flow of interstate commerce and ensuring the continued movement of goods through the trucking industry.  They have adopted the motto “Keep Calm and Keep on Trucking” during the pandemic.

Department of Defense Transporting Medical Supplies

The DOD understands that transportation and logistics are a key part of a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  They have been moving people and medical supplies in an effort to combat the crisis.  An example of this is the California Air National Guard are transporting state-owned ventilators and medical supplies from California to states in need.  Other states are shipping protective equipment to first responders and hospitals.

What PPLUS is Doing During the Pandemic

The team at Performance Plus Global Logistics is continuing to both support our current customers with urgent freight and expedite needs while providing global logistics services for the current pandemic situation.  The PPLUS team is moving urgent medical supplies from direct manufacturers in key China markets both by direct Airfreight and Air Charters.  These include masks, gowns, thermometers and other supplies direct to strategic markets in need, as well as key government facilities.   Domestically, the PPLUS operations team is providing 24-hour air and ground expedite of hand sanitizer and raw materials to manufacture the products and other supplies across the nation.   The PPLUS team wishes the best to customers and the nation in the hope for a halt to the Coronavirus.