Protests by transport companies in southern Italy have complicated the planning of freight deliveries. Following a notice from the Austrian transport organization AISÖ on October 23, regions including Campania, Calabria, Apulia, and Sicily were affected. The situation varied from location to location.
For delivery planning, a detailed assessment is therefore necessary. A report of protests in a region does not mean that every road is closed. Conversely, a partial suspension of actions is not sufficient confirmation that the entire transport chain is running freely again.
Freight forwarders should involve their local partners and consignees for time-critical shipments. Is access open, can the truck be unloaded and will the agreed time window be maintained? These questions must be answered together. A free motorway section is of little help if the destination facility cannot accept freight due to a backlog.
When necessary diversions are required, it must also be verified whether the route and access are suitable for the truck being used. Additional kilometers, waiting times, and potential connection losses should be clearly documented in the order. Shippers should establish a clear priority order of important shipments. This allows dispatch to move goods first where a delay would cause the greatest damage.