Transport specialist NTI has advocated for the freight industry at government roundtables and working groups after a doubling of fuel costs that is “challenging even the most experienced operators”.

The federal government agreed to drop a 32.4c per litre heavy vehicle road user charge for three months, defer a planned 6% increase in the charge until next year and temporarily halve fuel excise.

States have agreed to forgo an uptick in goods tax, saving 5.7c a litre, and the Tax Office is offering three-year payment plans. Small business grants of $25,000 are also available under the disaster recovery assistance fund.

The measures came after the US-Iran war pushed up the price of diesel from $1.70 a litre to more than $3.

Australia’s trucking industry has about 60,000 businesses and 200,000 employees.

NTI EGM of commercial Michael Edmonds says margins are tightening, planning is more complex and businesses are “being forced to make difficult decisions” to keep freight moving safely and sustainably.

“We’ve been actively contributing to government and industry discussions that highlight the real-world impact of rising fuel costs,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“I’ve been involved in those meetings, and they’re tense. There’s some heavy debate.

“People running businesses will know before anyone else what’s happening, and then they can help government make some good decisions in assisting the [transport] industry to keep moving.”

NTI is now lobbying for a release from contractual obligations to allow fuel levies to change faster, plus better road access for longer vehicles so fewer prime movers can carry more.

The insurer is working with the Australian Trucking Association, the Australian Logistics Council and state and sector associations to advocate for the industry.

Mr Edmonds says fuel supply is currently adequate.

“It is not about availability, it’s about how the fuel is moving through the system – and price. The single biggest factor in stabilising prices now is confidence and transparency in fuel supply.”

Increased costs will be passed on to consumers, he says.

“Everything you buy is going to go up slightly – even if this was finished tomorrow, you’d have a three- to six-months supply chain issue before getting back to normal.”

NTI has introduced laid-up cover for unused trucks that become a “static” risk and is on alert for customers experiencing financial stress.

“We play a role. We’ll be watching how we transact and make sure the claims are done excellently ... I don’t think it’d be any major changes,” Mr Edmonds said.

“We just have to be aware and help out where we can. From an insurance perspective, we'll [get] the trucks back on the road as quickly as we can, have some safety nets like laid-up cover or things like that should they need it, and keep advocating.”