ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas — for delivery companies.
For DHL Express in Canada, peak season typically begins after American Thanksgiving and continues until Christmas.
“We’re experiencing volumes that make us feel like we’re in that peak season right now,” Andrew Williams, CEO of DHL Express Canada, told The SaltWire Network.
While the company does not report specific volume numbers, he said the growth is significant.
“It is a time of the year right now that feels quite a bit like the holiday season, in a way, in terms of shipment volumes, and yet the composition of those shipments is quite a bit different. And we take very seriously the responsibility we have, especially when you’re talking about moving PPE and testing kits, and those sorts of things.”
Williams said there appears to be three main drivers of the high volumes the company is experiencing.
First, some areas of the world, such as China, are beginning to return to normal with businesses reopening and beginning to ship to Canada once again.
Secondly, he said DHL ships a significant amount of personal protective equipment and testing kits which are in high demand.
Lastly, he said the company is seeing an increase in the amount of deliveries into Canada from outside the country that are a result of Canadians shopping online.
Williams said DHL’s cargo planes are operating at full capacity, partly because commercial passenger aircraft are grounded due to travel restrictions.
“And quite a lot of freight actually moves in the cargo holds of those passenger aircraft, and that is now moving into the dedicated cargo flights that companies like DHL operate,” said Williams.
Expect delays, says Canada Post
Canada Post is also reporting Christmas-level parcel volumes.
“With many Canadians isolating at home and shopping more online, Canada Post is now processing and delivering parcels at levels only experienced during the busiest weeks of the Christmas season,” reads a news release from Canada Post on April 23.
On April 20 alone, Canada Post said it delivered more than 1.8 million parcels to Canadians.
“That’s similar to the biggest delivery days we see during the Christmas season.”
Canada Post said customers can expect delays with their parcel deliveries as a result.
“The heavy incoming parcel volumes, combined with the important safety measures we’ve implemented in our processing facilities, mean it is taking longer to process. Those measures include physical distancing in facilities that were never designed for keeping people two metres apart,” reads the news release.
FedEx communications advisor James Anderson told The Telegram via email that the company does not disclose volume levels publicly, however he did write: “The company is very appreciative of all our team members’ tireless efforts during this unprecedented time when our customers and communities need us more than ever.”
The Telegram received a similar email from UPS. That company also does not disclose delivery volumes.
“Since the coronavirus crisis began, people have counted on UPS more than ever before,” wrote a spokesperson.
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