Logistics on-demand service provider, Uber Freight, is launching in Germany, following its successful expansion in the Netherlands.
The introduction of Uber Freight follows a recent call for action by the German industry to address logistical bottlenecks and severe driver shortages in the road transport sector.
“In an increasingly demanding sector, Uber Freight has the power to unlock efficiencies that drive the entire German industry forward,” said Uber Freight Head of European Expansion, Daniel Buczkowski.
“With a global network and proven technology at scale, we look forward to seamlessly connect carriers with shipper's loads, creating an environment in which everyone can benefit,” he said.
German shippers and carriers, according to Uber, have many of the same pain points as their European counterparts and can benefit from the technology Uber Freight has developed.
“The German trucking market is experiencing a severe shortage of drivers,” Uber said in a statement. “The World Bank estimates that around 40 per cent of German truck drivers will retire in the next 10 years, creating a shortfall of 150,000 drivers. Moreover, of the time drivers are on the road, 21 per cent of the total miles traveled are empty. Inefficiency of this scale results in shippers struggling to find available drivers to move their goods.”
Uber said small- to medium-sized carriers in Germany make up more than 90 per cent of the carrier pool and Uber Freight's on-demand marketplace will enable carriers of all sizes to participate in the market, and with that increase efficiency as well as reduce wasted miles and fuel.
October last year, Uber Technologies launched Powerloop, a trailer leasing business, to transform legacy industry practices and create new opportunities for fleet operators.