Given the quantity of ground freight being shipped across the APEC region, efforts should be
undertaken to align standards and regulations for these heavy vehicles among economies. Heavy
vehicle crashes increase operating costs for the road transport industry and thus have a negative
impact on supply chain performance. Imposing restrictions on foreign long-haul carriers limits
competition to domestic carriers and accordingly drives up prices. Offering foreign long-haul
carriers similar treatment to domestic carriers instead promotes competition and enhances
supply chain efficiency. The recommendations concerning heavy vehicle transport included in the
Chokepoint 7 inventory advise that member economies should “promote road and vehicle
safety standards for heavy vehicles carrying freight on medium and long haulage” and “allow
foreign long-haul carriers that comply with road safety rules and regulations to seek business
opportunities in domestic markets in accordance with central and local laws.”