As the Australian government rolls out its new National Freight and Supply Chain Strategy, industry leaders are sounding the alarm on one of freight’s most costly inefficiencies: empty truck runs. According to Loadshift, Australia’s largest online marketplace for heavy haulage transport, nearly one-third of trucks on the road are operating without cargo—wasting billions in fuel, time, and labour while contributing to road congestion and unnecessary emissions.
“I appreciate there’s now a greater focus being placed on our industry, in light of the release of these federal government strategies,” said Matt Barrie, Chief Executive of Loadshift, who spoke to Wood Central today. “It’s important we look at new technologies and practices to boost productivity and safety for Australians working in this area—particularly when it comes to one of the biggest challenges facing carriers today: running empty.” Barrie added. “Empty runs are not only a waste of money, fuel, and time, they also decrease safety for all Australians on the road by increasing traffic and road wear.”
Loadshift’s platform is designed to tackle this issue head-on. By connecting over 80,000 shippers with 40,000 vetted carriers, the company helps ensure that trucks are filled, routes are optimised, and drivers are paid fairly for their time. The result: fewer empty miles, lower emissions, and a more efficient network. For independent carriers like Konstantinos Haralampopoulos from New South Wales, the impact is personal. “(Loadshift has) kept food on the table, diesel in the tank,” he said. “We’ve built a relationship, and we’re just like one big family.”
Haralampopoulos described how the platform helps him stay productive on the road: “Basically, I let (Loadshift) know, I say ‘look, we’re heading in that direction; if anything does pop up, just keep us in mind.’ I know you’ve got thousands of jobs coming through, but it is so, so helpful… It doesn’t always happen, but it does happen, and it helps.”
Whilst optimistic about the future, he also pointed to ongoing challenges, including poor road conditions that damage vehicles and contribute to accidents. “The roads are a big issue,” he said. “They wear down the trucks and make things dangerous.” Barrie echoed the need for reform: “Loadshift is proud to be part of the solution to these issues. We’re not just a company; we’re a community. We’ve built an incredible team of operations staff who are on the ball, working like one big family with our carriers to improve the service and make things happen. It’s this collaborative spirit, supported by a technologically advanced platform, that will drive Australia’s freight industry into the future.”
