The Spanish National Federation of Transport Associations (Fenadismer) has asked its members to keep road transport to a minimum in the areas hit by the storm, and it is also calling on the authorities to ensure the provision of essential services for truckers.
Business owners say that the situation is "dramatic" and stress that it has not yet been possible to determine the exact number of vehicles trapped, or the extent of the economic losses resulting from this extreme weather phenomenon, which has hit particularly hard in regions such as Valencia.
In a statement to EFE, Fenadismer stressed the need for traffic to be avoided in these areas, with the exception of emergency services, medical supplies or home assistance. It has been reported that many drivers trapped on roads are being diverted to the La Cova industrial estate in Manises, which is already becoming saturated.
The National Platform for the Defence of Transport has also reached out to its members offering assistance and informing them of the impassability of some industrial estates, where blocked vehicles are preventing access to tow trucks. Its spokesperson, Manuel Hernández, stressed the importance of guaranteeing basic services to truck drivers, and recommends avoiding traveling to the affected areas until the situation improves.
The association of business owners in the logistics and transport sector (Uno), acknowledged that the logistics sector was severely affected in the first hours of the storm, especially in Valencia, Albacete, Malaga and eastern Andalusia. Despite this, they do not foresee any alterations in the delivery times of goods, or significant problems with the supply in the coming days, thanks to efforts made by the sector. However, they admit that the storm is still active and it will take some time before normality can be restored, so they are asking customers for patience.
The sector says that the storm hit numerous logistics centers, trapping their workers. Likewise, many drivers got trapped in their trucks yesterday, especially on roads such as the A-3, V-31 and V-30. Also, rail transport and air freight have had to be suspended or diverted for safety reasons, and even the Port of Valencia has been closed to traffic.
Source: efeagro.com