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01.11.2021

True or False: Famous Myths of Grain Transportation by Trucks in Ukraine

Aleksandr Morozov, Director of Agrain Trans company, exposes myths about grain transportation by trucks
The Director of the company Agrain Trans (a subsidiary of Agrain Agrogroup), Aleksandr Morozov, during his almost ten-year career in the company, heard plenty of myths and legends associated with freight: unclear tariff policy, drunken drivers, grain theft, overloads, shortage of vehicles, lack of qualified personnel, bribes and levies on the roads, and more. Which of these is real and which is fiction?
The Director of the company Agrain Trans (a subsidiary of Agrain Agrogroup), Aleksandr Morozov, during his almost ten-year career in the company, heard plenty of myths and legends associated with freight: unclear tariff policy, drunken drivers, grain theft, overloads, shortage of vehicles, lack of qualified personnel, bribes and levies on the roads, and more. Which of these is real and which is fiction?
Myth #1


Harvesting is not possible without
your own transport

Harvesting is not possible without your own transport

It's true. It is impossible. The ratio of a company's own vehicles to hired ones should be within 20/80, where 20% are own vehicles and 80% are hired.

This enables a company to solve urgent problems without outsourcing and to be more independent.
Евгений Зайцев, эксперт компании «‎АБМ-ТРЕЙД»‎
Aleksandr Morozov, Director of Agrain Trans
Myth #2


Tariff policy for transportation services is volatile, and the price is often formed opaquely

Tariff policy for transportation services is volatile, and the price is often formed opaquely

That's not true. The price is transparent. We have a clear understanding of the fare structure and each trip in particular. And although the calculation process is not simple and requires taking into account all the details, for our company's specialists it is an easy task, which they deal with on a daily basis.
Myth #3


A shortage of qualified grain truck drivers is an unmanageable problem

A shortage of qualified grain truck drivers is an unmanageable problem

Евгений Зайцев, эксперт компании «‎АБМ-ТРЕЙД»‎
It's true. The problem of the shortage of drivers was, is and will ever be. Staff turnover is typical for drivers as they always seek something better. Some try their skills on European roads, while others, after having travelled all over Europe, return to their previous place of work.

But lately, more and more drivers are returning to Ukraine from abroad.
It is a decrease in transportation rates in Europe and the growth of wages in Ukraine that bring them back. But, the increase in salary does not completely solve the problem of qualified personnel.
Myth #4


Road surface quality is the misery of operators.
On many routes, they refuse from driving
for poor roads

Road surface quality is the misery of operators.
On many routes, they refuse from driving for poor roads

Over the past two years, the quality of road surfaces in Ukraine has improved noticeably. This is a fact. However, many roads are still in poor condition. So, yes, the quality of the road surface is still a stumbling block between the shipping company and the customer.
Myth #5


Weight control of vehicles is often used by police for bribe receiving and collecting money from drivers

Weight control of vehicles is often used by police for bribe receiving
and collecting money from drivers

For starters, Agrain's vehicles strictly adhere to weight regulations. But the basis of our operations is bulk cargo, which can move around the vehicle body or trailer while in motion. There have been cases when the axle load of a vehicle exceeded the permissible limits at the time of measurement. In such cases, we go to court to prove our point.
And as for bribes and levies, we don't work with such things. And the police officers themselves know that our drivers do not take more than the norm, which means that they have no reason to commit illegal actions.
Myth #6

The freight market will never be able to find the golden mean in the number of vehicles and will always experience a surplus or deficit of vehicles

The freight market will never be able to find the golden mean in the number of vehicles and will always experience a surplus or deficit of vehicles

It's true. There will probably never be a golden mean. In my career, I have never seen it. And this is common not only for motor transport but also for rail and water transport. After all, every year is unique, and it's impossible to predict the right amount of one type of transport or another.
Myth #7

Untimely delivery of grain from the field is one of the major causes of crop loss by producers

Untimely delivery of grain from the field is one of the major causes
of crop loss by producers

This I do not agree with. On the contrary, the grain is moved out of the fields on time. More questions arise, perhaps, to the observance of norms and rules of its storage.
Myth #8


Theft of grain, fuel and lubricants by drivers is an incurable phenomenon

Theft of grain, fuel and lubricants by drivers is an incurable phenomenon

It will probably take much longer for this phenomenon to disappear forever. The standard of living of drivers is improving, sooner or later they will become disgusted with theft.
Myth #9


It is reasonable to transport grain by road if the distance is less than 200 km

It is reasonable to transport grain by road if the distance is less than 200 km

Nowadays it is not true. Perhaps earlier the figures were between 250-300 km. But now the distance may be 500-700 km. And since this is the peak season and the rates are fine, the distance is not that important. We arrange shipments for any distance.
Myth #10


Drivers in high season may be stuck at a grain elevator for three days, waiting in line

Drivers in high season may be stuck at a grain elevator for three days, waiting in line

This situation is more usual for portside elevators, where one may be stuck for three days or more. Ports are highly dependent on the arrival schedule of vessels.

Our drivers mostly transport grain to the company's elevators during harvesting. Therefore, such situations are unlikely. Drivers make at least one trip per day. So, there are lots of nuances to be taken into account. Let's call this myth plausible.
Евгений Зайцев, эксперт компании «‎АБМ-ТРЕЙД»‎
Myth #11


Most drivers are alcohol-abusers

Most drivers are alcohol-abusers

This is not true. Of course, there were isolated cases, but this does not apply to the majority. Those who tried to start their shift tipsy were promptly discovered and dismissed. After all, people came to work and earn money to feed their families. They don't need any extra problems.
Myth #12


On a trip, a driver may not shower for a week

On a trip, a driver may not shower for a week

That's not true. A self-respecting driver wouldn't allow such things to happen. They stop at gas stations and take showers. In addition, on every trailer drivers fit hand-washing devices, and in summer even an improvised shower.
Myth #13


At the current rates, trucking companies are operating at a disadvantage. One has to work with overloads to profit

At the current rates, trucking companies are operating at a disadvantage. One has to work with overloads to profit

Евгений Зайцев, эксперт компании «‎АБМ-ТРЕЙД»‎
That's not true. Carriers are now only operating on the plus side, and on a very good one. This year's fare level is the highest in 10 years.

Thus, carriers who are actually willing to work can make good money.
Myth #14


All drivers use chat rooms informing where the mobile truck weight stations are, how to bypass them, etc.

All drivers use chat rooms informing where the mobile truck weight stations are,
how to bypass them, etc.

It is possible, but for Agrain Trans drivers it is of no relevance, as they do not overload trucks and drive strictly within the norm. It is pointless for drivers to bypass weight control points if they have nothing to hide.
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