Under the Federal Constitution, the FONES is mandated to ensure the supply of essential goods and services in terms of severe supply shortages that the economy is unable to handle. The FONES’ Logistics Division has drawn up a range of measures with other specialist agencies to this end.
Measures concerning logistics
Measures to maintain transport capacities on the roads
Extending customs opening times
Adjusting working hours for railway companies
Prioritising rail
Prioritising the handling of essential goods at terminals
Otral Terminal
Otral petroleum products
Use of Swiss high sea shipping
In the event of a supply shortage of essential goods, it may be necessary to temporarily increase transport capacities on the roads. To this end, the NES has prepared three measures:
- Temporary exemptions from the Sunday and night driving ban for heavy motor vehicles
- Temporary flexibilisation of the deployment possibilities of professional drivers by extending driving times and shortening rest periods
- Temporary use of the total permitted weight for trucks and trailers for the transport of goods
In order for road transport companies to be allowed to make use of these three measures, the Logistics Division must first confirm the necessity and the interest of the national economy supply in the transports.
These measures are based on the legal foundations of the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) and are carried out in close coordination with the Logistics Division.
If, during a supply shortage, measures within Switzerland are already exhausted or have not had the desired effect, essential goods can be cleared at certain border crossings outside the normal customs opening hours. The possibility of extending opening hours is primarily intended to make it easier to transport goods by road and applies only to imports which are urgently required owing to a supply shortage.
In such cases, the transport companies complete a special form which is published on the website of the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security (FOCBS). The goods can be cleared for customs later on, within the stipulated deadline.
A supply shortage may mean more people are required to work in some sectors. In the rail sector, this can create a difficult situation because train drivers are subject to strict working hours regulations.
By temporarily relaxing the regulations of the Working Hours Act during a supply shortage, when extra labour is required, working hours can be extended so that essential transport services necessary to distribute supplies in Switzerland can still be provided.
This measure is founded on the legal provisions issued by the Federal Roads Office (FEDRO) and is closely coordinated with this office.
There is a limited number of railway lines in Switzerland, and these are used to transport both passengers and freight. If a line is closed or greater transport capacity is required because other forms of transport are unavailable, this can affect the supply of essential goods in Switzerland.
Under the National Economic Supply Act (NESA), the Logistics Division can order a temporary change of use of the railway lines for the transport of essential goods.
Terminals are important logistic hubs. Disruption to the handling of goods at terminals can strongly impact supply throughout Switzerland, especially when alternative transport routes have been exhausted.
Under the National Economic Supply Act (NESA), the Logistics Division can order terminals to temporarily prioritise the handling of essential goods.
Terminals are important logistic hubs. Disruption at container terminals or to terminal services can have a serious impact on the whole of the supply chain.
Otral Terminal (Otral = German acronym standing for Organisation of Transport Logistics in Extraordinary Situations) is an agreement between four terminal operators to coordinate their logistics operations to supply essential goods in the event of a shortage. By cooperating and coordinating their resources in such a situation, the terminal operators can ensure goods continue to be shipped in sufficient quantity for as long as possible without the need for state intervention.
Otral petroleum products (Otral = German acronym standing for Organisation of Transport Logistics in Extraordinary Situations) is an agreement between seven petroleum product companies along the logistics chain to coordinate and optimise their services in the event of a supply shortage.
The aim is to be able to rapidly increase the supply of petroleum products by working together in the event of a supply shortage.
If there is a supply shortage and high sea shipping freight capacity is not available in sufficient volume, the Confederation may, in the interests of national economic supply, requisition maritime freight capacity under the National Economic Supply Act (NESA).
If this happens, the Confederation may require owners of ships flying under the Swiss flag to conclude agreements with carriers for the transport of vital goods.
The legal basis for these measures can be found in the remit of the specialist offices or in the National Economic Supply Act (NESA).
Last modification 04.12.2023
