Challenges in freight transportation in case of company closures

At present, ever more companies are forced to entirely reorganize their operations due to the coronavirus and the high risk of infection. In many cases, this leads to temporary closures of businesses. This in turn can lead to problems, particularly as regards the transportation of goods. It is therefore important to maintain an overall perspective and to react correctly.

Business closures: From the view of recipients

As the recipient of goods, you should ensure that carriers always have the option of delivering the arriving goods safely and to have the receipt countersigned. At least one employee should be available by phone at the place of receipt to give instructions to the carrier. Otherwise, expenses for the transported goods may be incurred which would have to be borne by you. To avoid this, a reliable organizational structure should be set up and, ideally, also communicated to the freight carriers.

Business closures: From the view of carriers

Where carriers are unable to hand over the transported goods at the agreed place of delivery, for example because the plant intended as the place of delivery is not occupied or even shut down, carriers will need to obtain instructions. Depending on who is authorized to dispose of the goods, the recipient or sender must be contacted. If it is not possible to obtain instructions, for example because the person authorized to dispose of the goods is not available, the carrier may, for instance, store the goods. In this case, carriers will need to take measures that appear to be the best from the point of view of the person authorized to dispose of the goods. Expenses incurred may be reclaimed from the party authorized to dispose of the goods.

Status: April 2, 2020