Ongoing demonstrations by road hauliers and farmers are causing significant disruption to road freight operations across Southern Italy, with roadblocks and restricted access to distribution facilities affecting the movement and delivery of goods.

The protests, driven by rising fuel costs and wider pressures on the transport and agricultural sectors, are affecting key road networks and distribution services. As a result, some transport operators have introduced temporary restrictions on shipments to affected areas.

Which areas are affected?

Woodland Group has received notification from its European transport partner that shipment processing and distribution services have been temporarily suspended across several regions of Southern Italy.

The affected areas include:

• Puglia (Apulia): Postal codes 70–76
• Basilicata: Postal code 85
• Calabria and Sicily: Postal codes 87–98

These postcode ranges reflect the restrictions communicated by our transport partner and remain subject to change as the situation develops.

Roadblocks and demonstrations are preventing goods from moving freely through parts of the transport network, with some shipments unable to leave distribution facilities or complete their final delivery.

Impact on road freight shipments

Our transport partner has advised that shipments destined for the affected areas should not be dispatched until further notice.

The disruption may result in:

• Temporary suspension of shipment processing and distribution services.
• Delays to collections, onward transport and final deliveries.
• Increased congestion and shipment backlogs at distribution facilities.
• Extended transit times as road networks reopen and services resume.

Normal transit times and delivery schedules cannot currently be guaranteed for affected services. Even after restrictions are lifted, accumulated shipments may lead to further delays while transport operators work to restore normal operations.

Advice for businesses shipping to Southern Italy

Businesses planning shipments to the affected regions should review upcoming deliveries and avoid committing to fixed arrival dates until service availability has been confirmed.

Customers with goods already in transit are encouraged to contact their Woodland Group representative to establish the latest shipment status and discuss any available options.

Woodland Group continues to monitor developments

Woodland Group is working closely with its European road freight partners to monitor the situation and assess the potential impact on customer shipments.

We will continue to provide relevant updates as further information becomes available and transport services begin to resume.

If you have shipments planned for Southern Italy or are concerned about an existing delivery, please contact your usual Woodland representative for further guidance.