After the fuel price shock, there is now another problem for transport companies - and that could even lead to empty shelves in stores.
Berlin - Gas prices have now reached record highs - and that has far-reaching consequences.
Now transport companies are sounding the alarm and warning of an "impending supply collapse".
In a letter to the acting Federal Minister of Economics, Peter Altmaier, the Federal Association of Freight Transport, Logistics and Disposal (BGL) and the Federal Association of German Omnibus Entrepreneurs (BDO) explain the dicey situation, as the
Handelsblatt
reports.
The prices for the exhaust gas cleaning agent AdBlue have also increased enormously as a result of the energy price explosion.
A liter now costs 69 cents instead of 19.
Warning of empty shelves: "Supply chains acutely endangered"
The letter indicates that many companies are already reporting that "suppliers are stopping deliveries".
If AdBlue were no longer available nationwide, this would have drastic consequences for around 90 percent of truck transports.
The vehicles would have to stop.
"The supply chains would be acutely endangered and the supply of goods and services to the population would no longer be secure," warn the associations.
Trucks and buses with Euro VI engines are urgently dependent on this auxiliary material.
The Federal Association of Forwarding and Logistics warns: "In many vehicles, the engine control does not allow a restart at all when the AdBlue tank is empty, the truck then stops."
But why is the price of the urgently needed urea suddenly rising?
AdBlue is obtained from ammonia and ammonia production requires gas as an energy source.
In addition, gas is one of the most important raw materials for production.
Last but not least, the manufacturers then also have to acquire CO2 certificates.
Transport Minister Scheuer takes the situation "very seriously"
So there are three factors that drive the AdBlue price up.
The increased prices for raw materials and the certificates also meant that several manufacturers cut back their production.
In addition, hamster purchases continue to turn the price spiral.
Because consumers who drive a car with a Euro IV engine also need AdBlue.
The ADAC had therefore already advised to stockpile the urea.
In order to get the problem under control, the BGL and BDO are calling for a round table with representatives from the economic, transport and environmental ministries with producers, dealers and users.
In a joint discussion, it should be clarified how the supply can continue to run despite the increased prices.
Federal Transport Minister Andreas Scheuer said he would take the warning “very seriously”.
He also emphasized that the top priority must be "to keep supply chains running."
(Ph)