China to confirm new trailer standard for car carriers | Feature

China to Confirm New Trailer Standards for Car Carriers

The vehicle logistics sector in China is on the brink of a significant transformation. With approximately 80% of passenger vehicles transported by trucks and a fleet exceeding 30,000 car carrier trucks, the landscape is primarily characterized by technically illegal operations. Fortunately, the government is moving towards establishing new standards, aiming for greater compliance within the industry, despite uncertainties surrounding the implementation process.

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Current Landscape of Car Carriers in China

In China, car carriers are classified as semitrailers, adhering to the national standard GB, specifying a maximum length of 16.5 meters. However, in reality, many car carriers extend to a length of 22 meters. In recent years, as the car market has expanded, some manufacturers have pushed the limits further, with 27-meter trucks and double trailers emerging as common practices in the industry, leading to scenarios sometimes likened to "aircraft carriers."

Although fines have been imposed for regulations breaches, enforcement varies widely among provinces, with many regions issuing licenses for equipment that defies national standards. The economic benefits gained through accommodating more vehicles often outweighs the financial penalties. This situation raises pressing concerns related to road safety, as overloaded trucks may compromise public safety.

While there are logistics companies complying with the regulations, they are often outnumbered, creating challenges in fostering competition within a largely non-compliant industry. Stakeholders in the sector are advocating for the government to recognize car carriers as a distinct segment within the trucking industry, deserving of specialized standards akin to those in the US and Europe.

Upcoming Changes and New Standards

The anticipation for a new national standard has been met with a mix of hope and apprehension. Many within the industry fear that although the new regulations are likely to permit a longer vehicle length, they may curb the current practices of oversized trailers.

Introduction of Centre-Axle Trailers

As confirmation approaches, government bodies have been gathering industry feedback, with Chris Zuo, the General Secretary of the China Automotive Logistics Association (CALA), stating that the decision will be finalized shortly. While car-carrying trailers are just a segment of the mandatory GB standards, alterations to these rules will create far-reaching implications across the automotive industry.

The revised regulations are expected to introduce centre-axle trailers as viable options for vehicle transport, moving away from the sole reliance on traditional semitrailers. The updated specifications propose a maximum length of 22 meters (including a 12-meter trailer), with widths of up to 2.6 meters and heights permitted at 4 meters. However, the permitted length for semitrailers within China remains unchanged at 16.5 meters.

The new centre-axle trailers will potentially accommodate eight to ten vehicles, enhancing the current limit of six on the standard 16.5-meter semitrailer. The reasoning behind adopting these trailers includes considerations for increased loading capacity, improved safety during turns, and the added advantage of easier detachability.

This trailer type is not novel globally, having been widely utilized in various other markets; their absence in China stemmed from previous classifications as full trailers—a category banned from using Chinese highways for some time now.

In an unprecedented move, the government has invited industry associations to formulate standards for car carriers. According to Zuo, this marks a significant shift, as the new standards will likely be closer to pragmatic business solutions driven by industry input.

Challenges of Implementation and Compliance

The official count of car-carrying semi-trucks operating in China registers at around 29,000; however, estimates suggest that the actual number may be closer to 40,000. With such a substantial fleet, it poses considerable challenges to ensure compliance.

Zuo mentions the implementation of the new standards will entail a transitional timeframe of approximately two years, with discussions underway to prioritize addressing the most severe infringements first. A preliminary plan aims to phase out super long and double trailers by the year's end, although there’s potential for earlier action.

Other critical factors affecting the adaptation include financial implications for logistics companies, improved efficiencies in rail and waterway transport, and the readiness of manufacturers to produce new centre-axle trailers, which have been largely dormant in China for years.

Despite the uncertainties of the transition, there are prospects for manufacturers to seize the opportunity. Companies like Tianjin Anda-Lohr JV and CIMC Yangzhou have the potential to tap into a substantial domestic market that demands car carrier solutions.

Industry insiders generally express optimism for the forthcoming national standards. A representative from BLG China, a prominent global logistics firm, opined that the impending GB standards would foster a healthier automotive logistics environment in the country.

Concerns surrounding the specifics of the new measurements and regulatory enforcement have emerged. Stakeholders want to ensure uniformity in how these standards are maintained across different regions during the transitional phase.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the logistics sector hopes the new regulations will yield efficient yet safe trailer solutions. Zuo emphasizes that sector participants favor a balanced approach that ensures fairness during the implementation phase. The overarching question remains whether the new directives will genuinely mitigate the risks associated with overloaded trailers, as any structural changes must also involve strict enforcement against non-compliance.

The coming year will indeed reveal the outcomes linked to the new regulations; however, it’s anticipated that even more inquiries may arise as the sector navigates this transformative period.

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