Discussion at the Global Fleet Summit on the difficulties faced in supervising non-profit vehicle fleets, as outlined by the Fleet Forum.
In the realm of humanitarian transport, the NGO sector operates a substantial fleet of vehicles, numbering between 70,000 and 80,000. One organisation, Fleet Forum, is dedicated to helping its member organisations professionalise their fleet management, and they are set to address the unique sustainability challenges faced by NGOs in the Africa and Middle East region.
The upcoming Global Fleet Summit, scheduled from 13 to 15 May in Cascais, Portugal, aims to provide suppliers and company fleet managers with valuable insights into operating in this region. The summit will delve into critical topics such as electric vehicles, emission reduction, alternative powertrains, driver behaviour, and fuel efficiency, all of which are essential when discussing sustainability in Africa and the Middle East.
According to Paul Jansen, Executive Director at Fleet Forum, the main sustainability challenges for NGOs in this region include managing operational efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and addressing the logistical complexities posed by difficult terrain and limited infrastructure. Balancing cost, safety, and sustainability while ensuring reliable humanitarian transport is a significant hurdle for these organisations.
To tackle these challenges, Jansen proposes solutions such as adopting more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles, improving maintenance practices to extend vehicle life, and implementing data-driven fleet management systems to optimise usage and reduce carbon emissions. He also emphasises the importance of training local staff in sustainable fleet operations and leveraging partnerships for knowledge and resource sharing to enhance fleet sustainability and resilience in this region.
On the final day of the Global Fleet Summit, Jansen and Richard Sikkel of Massar Solutions will engage in a discussion on Fleet Sustainability in the Africa Middle East region. Sikkel, like Fleet Forum, focuses on environmental sustainability, safety, and cost efficiency in fleet management.
Both Jansen and Sikkel will also participate as expert panelists at the 2024 Global Fleet Summit, further underscoring the importance of these issues in the fleet management sector. Key performance indicators for corporate fleet-owners include environmental sustainability, safety, and cost efficiency, making these summits a crucial platform for sharing best practices and driving progress in this area.
- The upcoming Global Fleet Summit, while focusing on fleet management strategies for companies, will also explore the integration of electric vehicles in NGOs' sports utility vehicle fleet, aiming to improve sustainability in the humanitarian field, particularly Africa and the Middle East.
- To foster a more sustainable sports culture within the NGO sector, Fleet Forum and Massar Solutions will collaborate on fleet management practices, emphasizing the critical role of electric vehicles, maintenance best practices, data-driven fleet management, and local staff training during their discussion at the Global Fleet Summit.
