Road transportation is one of the key methods to move resources across the supply chain. This type of transport is facilitated by a key stakeholder of the economy: the truck driver. In Egypt, this means the use of Egypt’s 65,000km of roads and it’s two Trans-African highways along the African coast and along the continent all the way to Cape Town, South Africa.
The driver’s entry to the profession begins by obtaining the necessary license to become a truck driver. In Egypt, this license is the highest awarded category of driving license, and is often referred to as the professional first license. It certifies that the driver is able to operate a truck or a lorry.
A truck driver’s day typically begins with an early start and can range anywhere from 3am to 6am depending on the specifications of the delivery or transportation job they are completing. Drivers often review the route and weather conditions, complete a brief inspection of the truck to ensure it is ready for the drive ahead as well as complete any necessary documentation. Drivers remain alert of the road conditions to ensure they are able to reach their destination and complete their shipping mandate. On their journey, drivers often need to pass through toll stations, make scheduled stops to refuel and review any required weight bills. Truck drivers often work long hours, and may be driving up to 70 hours per eight days. In Egypt, a notable amount of traffic on the roads remains a factor that all drivers need to consider in planning their journeys and keeping to their schedule and potential breaks for food and ensuring ability to drive.
Once drivers reach their designated destination, there are several situations that could occur at drop off. A driver may wait while a live unload of the truck happens and the cargo is removed or they may complete a drop-and-hook, where the trailer is unhooked from the truck and an empty trailer is picked up for delivery to another shipper. The drop off will depend on the shipment specification as well as the truck requested or in operation based on client’s or business need. As the journey is completed, the driver will once more inspect their vehicle to ensure that all is in working order ahead of heading back on the road along with any necessary documentation.
With Naqla, the client and the driver have access to the transaction through two respective applications. The client’s application is where the shipment order can be placed, followed by a competitive pricing quote and connection with the optimum shipment carrier. The driver’s application enables the driver to receive the shipping mandate, and the booking to be completed a fair rate. Once a booking is established, clients can monitor their shipments using real time updates from initiation to completion. Additionally, the application provides access to all documentation relevant to the shipment.
Join Naqla’s fleet here as a driver, or streamline the logistics of your supply chain with Naqla and have more supply chain visibility today, and get your quotation here at competitive prices.
Stay tuned next week to hear about “The Truck Driver: Modernized Payment Solutions”
