ATS Euromaster: Ageing fleets require more maintenance amidst political and economic

With shipping routes from Asia to Europe disrupted by Houthi rebel attacks on merchant shipping in the Red Sea, many shipping carriers are avoiding the Suez Canal and take the vastly longer route via South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. Estimates put the additional fuel cost at $2 million (£1.6m) and the journey adds at least 10 days to deliveries for vehicle makers already struggling to ramp up supplies hit by restrictions due to Covid and the Russian campaign against Ukraine, where many car components are made. Both Volvo in Ghent, Belgium, and Tesla in Berlin, Germany, have halted production temporarily as a result. As a result, fleets – especially those with ageing vehicles – ought to invest more in strategic and preventative maintenance, according to ATS Euromaster.