Covid-related delays affecting service
An update for customers from Hall’s Chief Operating Officer, Russell Hickin
You will most likely be aware of the current congestion and other issues affecting the supply chain in New Zealand and globally.
Our teams have been working hard to minimise the impact for customers but as it gets busier heading into Christmas it is becoming clear that more frequent delays to our services will be unavoidable over this period. The issues we are dealing with are not specific to Hall’s. There are delays, sometimes of days, across the supply chain nationally.
What’s causing the delays?
The flow-on effects of Covid and increased consumer demand mean that shipping services are facing congestion in ports. Combined with disruption to coastal shipping and air freight that has been driving up demand for line haul services. Congestion on roads leads to slower journeys.
The demand for road transport is also fueling the ongoing shortage of experienced and professional drivers, which means there’s less flexibility for us to swap in new drivers where we need.
A range of other factors are at play:
There’s increased congestion at distribution centres which adds further lag to transit times
Road works on some key lanes are having an impact
The usual pre-Christmas volume has our network already at capacity.
Why are you telling me this?
We expect to see some delays on a daily basis as a result of all this and I would ask for your patience, as delivery expectations may not always be able to be met.
If you can provide as much forward notice as possible of proposed freight movements that would be appreciated and helpful for our planning.
Also, just as your customer teams are probably under pressure unfortunately ours are as well in these circumstances, so ETA and other queries will be taking a little longer than normal to answer.
Our operational teams across the country understand how frustrating any delays are for you as you have your own service to provide to your customers – but please know we are trying our best to overcome these short-term challenges.
We do appreciate your custom and hope to reward your faith in us when things return closer to normal, in the New Year. Regards
Russell Hickin
Chief Operating Officer
Hall’s Group