'Cowboys' move to the Middle East
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As managing director of Transcontinental Freight Ltd, I am writing to you to say a) how much I enjoyed lain Sherriff's articles on his trip to the Middle East ; and b) to say how appalled I am at the conditions existing on that particular run. In particular I would refer to the use of forged permits, and the appalling amount of sub-contracting that is going on between companies, from recognised forwarding agents to indiscriminate fringe operators, who are "the cowboys " of the international haulage scene.
Since the recent congestion in the Red Sea and Gulf ports has led to a sudden increase in road transport through to the Middle East, it has been noticed by my own company in particular, that whereas a few months ago we were plagued with "the cowboy element" in international haulage, who appeared to run without any proper permits, insurance, or in some cases no tax for their vehicles, that they have now deserted the near European scene, ie France, Italy, Germany, Belgium and Holland, and are now concentrating on the Middle East. I can only say from my own point of view, thank goodness. But nevertheless your series of articles has done much, I think, to bring to light the Pact that so much mismanagement, misplanning and roguery exists in international haulage today.
Quite frankly, unless something is done, and done very quickly, the name of the international British haulier will be brought into such disrepute, that I fear that foreign legislation will be enacted against the interest of the British haulier in general.
There are already sufficient regulations in force to ensure that the international operator keeps within the bounds of the law, but having said that it is almost impossible to stop the fringe element jumping on the bandwagon for cash in their fist.
I congratulate Mr Sherriff on his series of articles, and must admire him for his temerity in undertaking such a journey, more or less as it were venturing into the unknown, because this is virtually what he has done recently, and what many, many hauliers and individual owner drivers are continually doing without pre-planning a route.
The articles highlight two items the total lack of planning by management, which should be wholeheartedly condemned ; and secondly that companies are relying far too much on their drivers to dig them out of the proverbial hole, when if they had given a little thought to the problem of planning a route in advance, by personal experience, much of their problems would have been minimised, I do know one international operator personally, who told me that he went out to the Middle East by car to reconnoitre the route. He said it was all that they could do having arrived out there, to sell their car and fly home again, for the simple reason that they could not face the drive back. I can only feel sorry for the poor drivers who have to put up with such intolerable conditions, and it is a great shame that your weekly periodical was the vehicle that had to draw this to the 'attention of all concerned.
You have done an excellent job.
D, R, PETERS, Managing director, Transcontinental Freight Ltd, Heywood, Lancs.