The Federal Transport Authority has introduced a new categorisation for freight trucks based on the number and payload capacity of the trucks, as well as the number of years the vehicle has been in service. The directive also introduces categorisation of trucks under share companies.

In the making for the past two years, the new categorisation divides the existing freight truck operators into two groups: associations and companies. Private limited companies (Plc) and share companies are an addition to sole proprietors classified under companies in the latest directive. Associations are further divided into four levels, while privately-owned companies have up to five categories.

The directive requires an association to have at least 150 freight trucks with payload capacities of at least 30tn each to be regarded as level one. The numbers go down to 100 and 75 trucks for level two and three, respectively. Level four allows a minimum payload capacity of seven tonnes but restricts the operators to intra-country transportation. It also puts in place a minimum requirement of a 30tn payload capacity for a set number of vehicles, mandatory for levels one through three of associations.

Previously, the payload capacity of 30tn and above was only for level one, sub-level one. Freight trucks under sub-level two of the same level were expected to have a payload capacity between 20tn to 29tn.

The directive aims to encourage the creation of share companies and private limited companies, according to Abdulber Shemsu, deputy director at the Authority, who added that there is a transitioning period of six months allotted to implement the draft directive.

"The reasoning behind keeping the association system still in place is to smooth out the transition to private companies," he said. "The categorisation into different levels is also expected to foster competency and increase efficiency in the field."

Customers can assess the capacity of the operators and make a better-informed decision, according to Abdulber.

The directive, which was approved last week, extended the limit on usage years of freight trucks for international transport operators by 10 years to 30.

"The longer the age of the vehicle," said Abdulber, "the higher the costs it will have on the industry as a whole."

These costs could be in the form of spare parts for vehicles, energy consumption, and time wasted on trips when vehicles break down, according to Abdulber.

Representative branch offices for international freight operators, a Global Positioning System (GPS) and speed limiter, and a regular technical evaluation certificate for every vehicle are some of the requirements in place for all operators. There are estimated to be around 13,000 freight trucks and nearly 100 associations in the country.

Following the new mandate for GPS systems and speed limiters on every vehicle, a centralised system to track the real-time location of freight trucks is being developed by the Authority. Freight truck operator associations are also required to implement systems to track truck locations and to ensure the availability of this data to the Authority at all times.

The Authority is holding the second round of training for external parties for the system it is developing.

"We'll launch it in the coming month after incorporating inputs from the training," said Abdulber.