The wait for COVID-19 test results by truckies and warehouse workers is fuelling empty supermarket shelves and supply chain pressures, and logistics operators say up to half their workforce is missing.

Arthur Tzaneros, CEO of Australian Container Freight Services (ACFS), one of the largest trucking companies for the country’s major ports and whose clients include Coles, Aldi, Kmart and Bunnings, said there had been a 25-50 per cent shortage of drivers across the east coast during the past two weeks.