B737-700
Flight Crew Instrument; Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 430
Training / Qualification
Conflict Ground Conflict; Less Severe; Ground Event / Encounter Vehicle
Flight Crew Took Evasive Action
Procedure; Airport; Human Factors
Upon landing Runway 08 at ZZZ; Tower instructed us to expedite off the runway to our gate (Gate XX) due to landing traffic behind us on Runway 08. As I turned off the runway abeam Gate XX; it was observed there was a (Name) fuel truck parked in the middle of the Safety Zone for Gate XX; blocking access to Gate XX. The driver in the truck had his head down and was unaware of or presence. The Tower was informed of the situation and again instructed us to clear the runway. I was able to clear the runway completely while remaining clear of the blocked Safety Zone; allowing the traffic behind us to land. After 30 seconds; the fuel truck driver became aware of our presence and drove the truck clear of the Safety Zone. We proceeded to Gate XX. I called ZZZ Tower after shutdown to explain the situation. The Controller informed me that they have been having a problem with (Name) parking their fuel trucks in Safety Zones; denying access to gates. ZZZ is the absolute worst airport in the system for this to be allowed to happen due to the close proximity of the gates to the runway.
B737 Captain reported that a fuel truck was parked in the safety zone of gate; preventing aircraft from taxiing clear of the runway after landing.