Image courtesy of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association.

The trucking industry in Atlantic Canada continues to face challenges from hiring to the high price of diesel.

Jean-Marc Picard, executive director of the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association, said current fuel prices make it difficult for operators trying to manage their cash flow.

Picard said it’s also hard to find labour and fill the seats in trucks.

“If we are buying a piece of equipment, it can take up to a year before we get it with supply challenges,” Picard said.

He said all of these items combined put a lot of pressure on the industry.

Picard said some operators aren’t getting paid right away so they have to carry those costs, adding some companies have 15-day payment terms while others operate on a monthly payment schedule.

“For small operators, if you have five trucks, it costs $1,800 or $2,000 to fill up a truck. It’s pretty expensive,” Picard said.

Picard has heard some carriers requested to be paid on delivery which he describes as “unheard of”.

He noted the challenges associated with COVID-19 restrictions and the vaccine mandates.

Picard said some of those challenges remained.

“If a driver left because of some restrictions, more than likely he’s not back. He’s probably gone to work somewhere else. We lost some drivers because of that,” Picard said.