Export & Freight Feb-Mar 24

COMMENT

In our last issue we said we hoped a return to Stormont was on the cards, and now, thankfully that has happened with the folks returning to the ‘hill’, and to their jobs, in the Assembly at the start of February.

The return of both the Assembly and the power-sharing Executive is not before time and has been widely welcomed across our own industry.

The RHA said they are committed to working with ministers and key stakeholders on the many challenges the industry and the supply chain face. They also stated it is critical trading arrangements ensure that goods can be moved between Great Britain and Northern Ireland freely, efficiently and without excessive bureaucracy.

The deal that has brought the politicians back means goods travelling between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, which are remaining here, now do not need to be checked. This is good news for businesses involved in the transport industry.

In this issue, we report from a major Volvo launch in Gothenberg, where the Swedish manufacturer unveiled an all new FH Aero truck, an all-new engine for the mighty FH16 and their first fully electric truck, the FM low-entry. We look ahead to a future where diesel will no longer be the dominant fuel in this industry, with future options including sustainable gas and Hydrogen. This issue’s features include Fuel Cards, Customs Agents, Trailer and Truck Bodies as well as our annual comprehensive ‘Guide to Shipping’including our Shipping Tables.

We have an extended feature on McCulla, and find out how they have become champions of the ‘Circular Economy’. And we also hear from RHA’s John Martin and David Wells, Head of Logistics UK who said our industry must be considered in Government’s plans for the year ahead.

This packed edition is also special for me, as I take up the role of editor of Export and Freight.

I hope you enjoy this issue – we certainly enjoyed putting it togetherand don’t forget you can keep up to date with the latest industry news 24/7 by logging onto our website at: www.exportandfreight.com

New Driving Force behind Export and Freight

Export and Freight is delighted to announce a brand new Editor has joined the team at 4SM.

Austin replaces outgoing magazine editor David Stokes, who will continue to work with the company as Group Editor. Coming from a strong publishing background, Austin has worked in the local newspaper industry for the past 22 years with NorthWest News Group (NWNG), the leading independent media group based in Omagh. Austin is also a Director of NWNG.

“I worked as a journalist with the Fermanagh Herald newspaper in Enniskillen from 2002 to 2014, before moving to NWNG’s head office in Omagh to take up the role of Production Manager for our weekly newspapers, periodical supplements and magazines,” said Austin.

“Moving back into editorial is coming full circle for me, and I am really looking forward to the challenge of working on this exciting magazine covering the logistics industry - one of the busiest and most dynamic sectors across the island of Ireland right now.

“I know there is a lot to learn about this industry, which our economy relies so heavily on, but with the help of the great team

at Export and Freight I am already hitting the ground running.”

“In a few short weeks I have learned about how the move to more sustainable freight carriage is well underway, and how businesses are working hard to reduce their environmental impact, while embracing the latest technology from across the world.

“When I worked in the newspaper,

I edited the motoring section and regularly got a chance to test drive new cars, which I loved. If it’s got wheels I am interested in it,” said Austin. The wheels involved in this industry may be a bit larger, but that doesn’t faze the Omagh man.

“To get a better understanding of this industry Helen Beggs has suggested I go for my

Bridgestone and Webfleet Accelerate Fleet Electrification

Bridgestone Mobility Solutions, the business of Bridgestone focused on data-driven mobility solutions including Europe’s leading fleet management solution Webfleet, have announced the world’s first comprehensive EV Services Platform for fleets.

The EV Services Platform is a unique ecosystem that integrates solutions from industry leading mobility and energy providers into a single platform.

Businesses with fleets will be able to access a wide range of advanced EV services easier, faster and with a lower cost of integration, accelerating electrification and optimising EV operations.

The platform creates a seamless connection between these service providers based on fleet and energy data.

Webfleet, the launch partner for the EV Services Platform, will provide essential vehicle data insights that enhance the EV services provided by connected partners. The end result for fleets is a one-stop shop for a simple and successful electrification journey.

“As businesses across the world step up to cut carbon emissions, electrification is top of

mind for many fleets,” said Taco Olthoff, EV Program Director, Bridgestone Mobility Solutions.

“But the route to electrification comes with challenges–high investments, maintaining a reliable operation and optimising your business to increase range and cut costs. These issues can only be solved when the energy and mobility industry collaborate. For EV service providers the goal is to integrate in a scalable way to properly address the challenges fleet customers face.

“Seamless data exchange is the missing link – the thing that unlocks the full value that energy and mobility service providers can deliver by integrating their systems much closer than ever before.

“This is why our EV Services Platform is such a game changer. A fleet manager can, for example, get range information to allocate the most suitable vehicle to get a specific job done. This trip information can then be shared with their

commercial vehicle licence, an idea I am very excited about. I have done my medical and I have my application sent to DVA for my provisional licence.

“As I go through the various steps on the way to getting my licence I will document this in Export and Freight over the coming weeks and months.

“I feel like I am joining the team at Export and Freight at a very exciting time for the industry, a real time of growth and innovation.”

Helen Beggs, Publisher of Export and Freight, welcomed Austin onto the team, “I am delighted, as are the rest of the team, to welcome Austin to Export & Freight. He is already finding out what we all already know; that the transport and logistics industry is one of the most welcoming, interesting and challenging areas to work in the current economy.

“Austin has already become a valued member of the crew and we are very lucky to have him as Editor of Export & Freight. He brings a wealth of experience and skill to the role and is looking forward to meeting the readers and manufacturers face to face.”

charging management provider to select which vehicle should be charged and when based on the required battery level and trip schedule.”

Fleet customers will be able to seamlessly share data between any of the connected EV service providers to streamline electric fleet operations. Users will always stay in full control of their own data, deciding which data will be shared, when and how.

The platform is open to other partners in the e-mobility ecosystem with the goal of offering a complete range of services to fleets in a way that is flexible to their business needs.

EV service providers that would like to integrate their offerings on the EV Services Platform and enhance their services using fleet and energy data can become an EV Services Platform Partner by registering at: https://www.webfleet.com/ en_gb/webfleet/partners/ev-service-network/

Austin Lynch.

DAF DRIVER CHALLENGE ’24 - THE COUNTDOWN BEGINS

The DAF UK and Ireland Driver Challenge – DAF Trucks’ multi-stage search to find the nations’ very best commercial vehicle drivers – returns for 2024.

The fourth edition of the driving competition follows a highly successful event in 2022 when Colin Court emerged as the pre-eminent driver and crowned DAF UK and Ireland DAF Driver Challenge Champion.

The event is now being promoted via the dedicated online platform: https://drivers.daf.com/en-gb

Again, this year, and following a stringent selection process, an elite group of 20 finalists will battle it out at a two-day final in the autumn. To ensure a level playing field, and that the final contenders are a true reflection of the nation’s very best drivers,

the DAF Driver Challenge is open to drivers (with a clean C+E licence) of any vehicle marque.

Following an initial online registration process – including assessments on road knowledge and an understanding of the CV industry – selected drivers will be invited to one of ten regional heats around the UK and Ireland.

A final selection of 20 drivers will then go head-to-head in a series of challenging practical and knowledge-based appraisals; the winner being crowned DAF UK and Ireland Driver Champion. Under the direction of DAF driving experts, Mandy Wannerton and Ron Smith,

on- and off-road driving challenges will be scored alongside theory and knowledge-based assessments.

The champion driver will also progress to the Europe-wide DAF Driver Challenge in 2025 which, following similar local country events, sees drivers from across the continent gather for a major international competition.

“The DAF UK and Ireland Driver Challenge pulls no punches,” said Phil Moon, Marketing Manager at DAF Trucks, “it’s a tough evaluation of all aspects of life as a professional driver. Entrants will need to demonstrate exemplary levels of driving, of

course, but they’ll need to show a deep understanding of the law, safety and the transport sector more widely. The winner can justly claim to be the best of the best – regardless of the make and model of their own vehicle.”

“From the reaction in 2022,” he said, “we’re expecting a huge response to the initial online application process.

After his victory in 2022, Colin Court said, “Anyone who wants to enter the DAF Driver Challenge, do it! You’ll learn something, your skills you might pass onto someone else, and it’s just a fun, fantastic weekend with likeminded people. It’s great!”

Start the Future

DAF.COM/DAF-ELECTRIC

Start your all-electric future now. We are ready to guide you through the transition to zero-emission transport. DAF can recommend and deliver the optimum truck configuration and charging strategy for your business. Plus, our trusted dealer network offers the facilities, expert advice and a dedicated driver training programme, ensuring you gain the maximum potential from your electric operation.

Kinaxia upgrades fleet with over 200 curtainsiders from Tiger Trailers

Kinaxia Logistics has upgraded its fleet with more than 200 new curtainsiders from Tiger Trailers.

The group has invested more than £6m this year on the 205 new trailers and is looking to order more in 2024. They are being deployed across the group as part of Kinaxia’s move to standardise its curtainside trailer fleet.

The new, high-specification postless trailers are designed for a 44-tonne operation and stand 4.5 metres tall.

Each is equipped with several safety features, including the Axscend TrailerMaster tracking system, which reports on the status and location of a trailer and alerts the user to any brake or tyre issues. It is designed to reduce the downtime of a vehicle, boost security and efficiency and ensure compliance.

Tiger Trailers has also installed the Axscend electronic brake performance monitoring system in each new Kinaxia curtainsider. The system provides dynamic, live remote monitoring of a trailer’s braking performance.

manager, said: “We are upgrading and standardising our equipment across the group to meet the needs of our customers.

“These new high-spec Tiger trailers ensure maximum safety, compliance and efficiency and have been very wellreceived by our team and our clients.”

DPC grants CCIS Inland Port Licence Investment Will Create 25 New Jobs

Dublin Port Company (DPC) has announced it has granted a new operating licence to CMA CGM Inland Services (CCIS), to begin operating at Dublin Inland Port.

CCIS becomes the second company to move its container operations to DPC’s North Dublin logistics hub, following an €8 million investment by DPC on a second phase of the development.It brings to €56m DPC’s total investment in Dublin Inland Port, all self-financed.

With their newly-acquired licence, CCIS is now set to expand its portfolio, which already boasts over 23 dedicated empty container depots across Europe.

Their state-of-the-art Dublin facility will specialise in container storage and repair, focusing on catering to the export needs of foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, and refrigerated products. Together with service partner Doyle Shipping Group (DSG), the investment will create 25 new jobs.

With its headquarters in Marseille, France CCIS, is a subsidiary of CMA CGM Group and is one of the world’s largest providers of inland services with a container depot network in over 30 countries worldwide, and a global player in sea land and logistics solutions, with a workforce of

over 155,000 employees.

Operating a fleet of more than 620 ships calling in over 420 ports across a comprehensive global network, the group has been a significant player in the Irish market since 2006.

This is the second licence awarded at Dublin Inland Port at the North Dublin logistics hub after Dublin Ferryport Terminals (DFT) were granted permission by DPC to operate in October 2021.

The ongoing development of Dublin Inland Port continues

DPC’s delivery of its Masterplan commitment to maximising the use of existing port lands by relocating port-related, but non-core activities – including empty container storage –away from Dublin Port.

Dublin Inland Port is located 14 kilometres from Dublin Port off the M2, with direct access to the M50 and to Dublin Port via the Dublin Port Tunnel.

Welcoming the announcement, Cormac Kennedy, Head of Commercial at Dublin Port,

said: “In the past 12 months, we’ve invested a further €8million developing the next phase of Dublin Inland Port, which has created the opportunity for CCIS to relocate and grow its business in Ireland further. We are also delighted to see that this will create 25 new jobs. We are delighted to welcome CCIS and to support their business at the facility this December.

“By strategically relocating noncore users, we have successfully freed up 75% of our masterplan 40-hectare target, allowing Irish exporters and importers to benefit from the much-needed additional space within the Dublin Port footprint. Overall, since it opened in 2021, Dublin Inland Port has resulted in more efficient use of the Dublin Port Tunnel and Dublin Port’s internal network.”

A spokesperson for the CMA CGM Group said: “We are delighted - it is a great opportunity to have been granted an operating license by Dublin Port Company for Dublin Inland Port. This marks the first expansion of CMA CGM Inland Services (CCIS) into.

(L-R) Cormac Kennedy, Head of Commercial, Dublin Port Company, Alan Horner, General Manager, CMA CGM Shipping Ireland, Monika Sawicka, CMA CGM Shipping Ireland and Max Doyle, Director, Doyle Shipping Group.

Another feature is the Maple Fleet Services SafeConnect system, which is a safety device that ensures a trailer’s brakes are applied and not inadvertently released during the coupling process, protecting the driver until they safely return to the cab and are in full control of the vehicle.

James Hathaway, Kinaxia’s group fleet

James Hathaway and Steve Pollock.

Cut fuel costs, without compromising on productivity and performance. The Volvo FH with I-Save is the ultimate long haul truck, delivering cutting-edge fuel-saving features like I-See predictive cruise control, improved Economy Mode, extra torque at low revs, and more. Contact your local Volvo Trucks dealer about the full Volvo Long Haul range Volvo Trucks. Driving Progress. with Volvo FH featuring I-Save

BUBBLES OF EXCITEMENT AS THE ALL NEW VOLVO AERO RANGE IS UNVEILED IN SWEDEN

The world’s motoring press including Export and Freight’s Helen Beggs, and invited guests watched on as Volvo Trucks launched the FH Aero, a new benchmark in energy efficient trucks, new versions of the FM and FMX trucks, which are being upgraded with new technologies, and a new engine for the iconic FH16, which will be Europe’s most powerful truck engine.

The launch event also saw the unveiling of Volvo’s first electric only truck, the FM low entry.

Hosted by Jörgen Sjöstedt, Senior Vice President South and West at Volvo Trucks

Europe, along with other top Volvo officials, the new vehicles were unveiled at a special event in Sweden, the home of Volvo.

Guests and delegates were told that safety is paramount for Volvo, and that with increases in technology, and innovation the aim is that no Volvo truck will be involved in a collision in the future.

‘SAFETY IS AT THE HEART OF EVERYTHING WE DO’

Using a host of new technology Volvo is taking safety to the next level while also delivering more powerful, yet more efficient trucks.

These key systems include; side collision avoidance support, lane assist, door opening warning and intelligent speed assist.

Using a range of cameras and infra-red technology, these systems all support the driver while keeping an eye on everything around the truck to increase safety of the driver, other road users and pedestrians in the immediate vicinity of the trucks.

With an aerodynamic design and innovative features, the FH Aero offers energy efficiency at a new level, available in four variants including biofuel and the award-winning electric version.

There was an amazing sense of theatre and showbiz at the recent Volvo launch in Gothenberg.

AERODYNAMIC DESIGN

The front of the Volvo FH Aero cab has been extended by 24 centimeters versus the regular Volvo FH. This extension has been instrumental in creating a more aerodynamic truck cab. Not only does the better aerodynamics give lower fuel consumption – it also provides better driving stability in windy conditions.

The improved aerodynamics also benefits the FH Aero Electric model through better free-rolling properties. This allows increased energy regeneration for feeding back into the battery while braking or going downhill, ready for use when needed in the next acceleration or uphill climb.

The modern new face of the FH Aero features a bold, big and easily recognizable Volvo Iron Mark – the largest in modern times on a Volvo truck – as well as the Volvo Spread Word Mark, clearly showing that this is the latest model from Volvo Trucks

The Volvo Iron mark has also been moved down to allow a ‘customer branding area’ where companies can feature their logo. And the grille has an exclusive 3-D pattern, which catches the light and further makes this exciting new vehicles stand out from the crowd.

These improved aerodynamics and new technologies such as Volvo’s new Camera Monitor System, (dispensing with the need for wing mirrors) allow the new FH Aero to cut up to 5 percent in energy consumption and emissions.

“The new Volvo FH Aero is our most efficient truck ever as we continue to reduce CO2 from our entire product range”, says Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks. “This is a Volvo truck at its best – a safe, beautifully designed and superior quality truck for tough long-haul tasks, designed for the success of our customers.”

Selected as International Truck of the

Year 2024, the Volvo FH Electric will also be offered in the new Aero version, an energy-efficient addition to Volvo’s already wide range of electric trucks.

Regardless of which powertrain customers choose – electric, gas or diesel – all variants of the new FH Aero will benefit from lower energy consumption, longer range and a superior level of safety and driving experience.

The new Aero truck models will be rolled out step by step to markets during 2024-2025 in four versions – the FH Aero, FH Aero Electric, FH Aero gas-powered and FH16 Aero.

CAMERAS REPLACE MIRRORS

A new advanced Camera Monitor System contributes greatly to both aerodynamics and safety. This new solution, replacing traditional exterior mirrors, opens the visual field for the driver, improving the safety for the driver as well as the surrounding road users. The camera system has a positive impact on the driver’s visibility in rainy and dark conditions, but also in direct sunlight and when driving in tunnels.

When driving with a trailer, the camera system has an auto-panning function, following the turning trailer.

LATEST TECH MAKES NEW VOLVO’S SAFER AND MORE EFFICIENT

Safety, efficiency and increased productivity are the key drivers behind everything that Volvo trucks do. And ensuring the welfare of not only road users but the drivers lucky enough to drive a Volvo truck are also of paramount importance when developing new vehicles such as their range of heavy duty trucks - the Volvo FH, FM and FMX models.

New for 2024, these models are being upgraded with new technologies and the latest in camera monitoring for even better efficiency, safety and productivity for demanding businesses.

The upgrades on the Volvo FH, FM and FMX trucks are the latest in Volvo Trucks’ continuous engineering efforts to optimize its trucks.

The Volvo FH Electric – recently chosen as International Truck of the Year 2024 – becomes even more energy-efficient and the upgraded Volvo FH16 will be the most powerful truck in the industry with an all-new efficient 780 hp engine for the toughest assignments. Regardless of which powertrain the customer chooses –electric, gas or diesel – all variants of Volvo’s heavy-duty trucks will benefit from a high level of efficiency, safety and driving experience.

“The heavy-duty Volvo trucks are icons in the industry and with the latest upgrades I am confident that we will further strengthen our position in this segment”, comments

Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks.

“Our skilled engineers have done a tremendous job in fine-tuning our heavyduty trucks for reduced CO2 emissions, improved safety and even better productivity and customer satisfaction.”

Key to increasing productivity – and customer satisfaction is ensuring the users of the vehicles – the drivers – are content,

“We want drivers to be happy, healthy, safe and secure,” state Volvo who realize there is a shortage of skilled drivers out there, and through their innovations want to ensure drivers can be retained by making sure they enjoy their working day.

Many of the improvements centre on the truck cab interior, with Volvo wanting to make this an attractive work place, as it’s both the driver’s office, and their home away from home.

Externally, the familiar face of the Volvo FH, FM and FMX range is getting a mild refresh with a bold Volvo Iron Mark – the biggest ever on a Volvo Truck in modern times. The upgraded Volvo models will go into production during the first half of 2024 and reach dealerships in mid-2024. A new XXL version of the FH cab is designed to be a home away from home for drivers. The cab is a full 600 litres larger than the already spacious FH – giving drivers much more space. It also includes a larger bed and plenty of extra, easy-to-reach storage. To create it, Volvo Trucks’ FH cab was re-engineered by moving the rear cab wall back

25 cm and strengthening it with extra C-pillars. Technology features and highlights on the updated Volvo FH, FM and FMX models:

• Volvo’s I-See technology has been refined to save energy and carbon emissions, using a cloud based topographic map to optimize the driving and enabling more driving time in cruise control mode that can both save energy and give more relaxed driving.

• Updated brakes with Volvo patented drag-free brake discs, pads and hubs, improving the braking capacity, reducing energy consumption and emissions.

• Upgraded user-friendly infotainment system that can be personalized depending on individual needs.

• Improved sound system, available with six premium high-quality speakers, a new power amplifier and a subwoofer adding massive power to the sound experience.

• A new built-in navigation system will be offered with improved maps adapted to truck-specific needs, with automatic map updates enabling efficient delivery of goods.

• Interior updates also include an integrated microwave oven and USB-C power outlets.

• Volvo Trucks’ My Business Apps offering has been introduced to more markets. This is a subscription-based service that enables customers to download business-related apps from different providers, and use them in the trucks’ side display, bringing real benefits to the uptime and everyday use of the truck.

• The new Tire Monitoring Service gives fleet operators a complete view of the truck and trailer through Volvo Connect, reducing the risk of costs and disturbances related to tire issues.

Martin Tomlinson, Head of Media & Truck Demonstration demonstrates the comfort seat and cup holder in the pull down grille.

MOST POWERFUL ENGINE UNVEILED FOR ICONIC VOLVO FH16

Getting the job done faster, with better fuel efficiency is what has driven Volvo to introduce a new engine for its iconic FH16 truck.

With up to 780hp and 3800 Nm, this engine becomes the most powerful truck in the industry. The new 17-litre engine can handle the toughest transport assignments with ease, while delivering outstanding fuel efficiency and durability. The new engine is certified to run on biofuels.

Driving continuously at high speeds with heavy loads can be a challenge – but not with Volvo’s new 17-litre Euro 6 engine powering its FH16 truck.

Developed to take on the most demanding transport assignments, the new engine comes with three power levels; 600hp, 700hp and 780hp. Torque levels have been increased to 3000Nm, 3400Nm and3800Nm in the top version. The higher power and torque levels translate into faster engine response, better driveability, maximum productivity and improved fuel efficiency.

“I’m proud to present our new engine. It really is a masterpiece and the result of world-class engineering. The 780 version is the strongest engine in the industry. When climbing steep grades on a road with maximum loads, you don’t want to get stuck with too little torque and power. That is why we have focused all our efforts on making the D17 engine very powerful,

reliable and responsive. For our customers, this translates into getting the job done faster with improved fuel efficiency,” says Marcos Weingaertner, Product Manager at Volvo Trucks.

The D17 engine is equipped with a single efficient turbocharger that boosts engine

responsiveness and improves the driving experience. Volvo’s innovative patented wave piston design optimizes combustion and reduces emissions, while the new injection system ensures the best fuel economy, and the increased peak cylinder pressure enables high power output.

CERTIFIED TO RUN ON BIOFUELS

The new D17 engine is certified to run on HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil) in all power ratings. The 700hp version is also certified to run on 100% biodiesel (B100). The gearbox has been updated to handle up to 3800 Nm, and internal gearbox efficiency has been further improved on the 3000 Nm and 3400 Nm versions.

“I’m confident that customers and drivers will appreciate the higher engine brake power as well as the ability to run on HVO and biodiesel. The D17 is a fabulous engine for a fabulous truck, and all our customers who rely on the Volvo FH16 in their daily work will now have an even more powerful tool to help them,” says Marcos Weingaertner.

Sales start for the Volvo FH16 with the new engine is in mid-2024. Production start is due in the second half of 2024. The new engine is available in the all-new Volvo FH16 Aero and the latest version of the Volvo FH16.

ELECTRIC DREAMS –VOLVO LAUNCHES FIRST PURE ELECTRIC TRUCK

Embracing the drive to electric, and taking another step on the road to net zero Volvo launches its first truck model ever developed only with electric drive. With capacity for heavy loads and excellent visibility for the driver, FM Low Entry is an electric truck optimized for safe and efficient driving in city areas.

Volvo Trucks’ latest addition to its electric truck program – Volvo FM Low Entry – is a heavy-duty truck specifically developed to handle a wide variety of transport assignments in city areas. It’s also the first truck model ever developed by Volvo which is available only with an electric drive.

“This zero-emission truck is a great addition to our electric range, perfectly suited for city transports and designed with the driver in mind. It’s powerful, yet smooth to drive and easy to maneuver. The new Volvo FM Low Entry is perfectly in line with our ambitions to expand our electric offer, enabling even more customers to reduce their carbon emissions”, explains Roger Alm, President Volvo Trucks. The low driving position offers the driver excellent visibility and control of the surroundings. The good visibility of the FM Low Entry has earned it a five-star rating in the Direct Vision standard that rates heavy vehicles operating in London and comes into effect in the fourth quarter of 2024*.

The Volvo FM Low Entry is very versatile and can be adapted to meet specific requirements of various transportation tasks, such as waste management, distribution and construction. The truck is based on Volvo’s well-known FM model. The spacious cab has been lowered and moved forward, and the low instep and flat floor makes it easy to enter and exit the truck. These design features create an

ergonomic, comfortable and efficient working environment for drivers in busy city locations.

The new FM Low Entry will initially be sold in Europe including Turkey, and South Korea. Sales start is in the first quarter of 2024, and production start is in the second quarter of 2024.

EIGHT ELECTRIC TRUCK MODELS

With this new all-electric city truck, Volvo now has a total of eight electric truck models in its range. In 2019 Volvo Trucks became the first global manufacturer to start series production of heavy electric trucks, and the company is aiming for 50% of global sales of new Volvo trucks to be electric in 2030.

Key Volvo FM Low Entry features:

The visibility (with standard specification) fulfills the Transport for London

5-star Direct Vision Standard.

The truck is equipped with Volvo

Dynamic Steering system for effortless steering and reduced vibrations.

Three seat options are available: Driver + 0, 1 or 3 passengers. With 3 passenger seats placed at the back of the cab, they are not in the view of the driver. This minimizes blind spots and contributes to excellent visibility.

The many ergonomic features include a low instep, flat floor and well-positioned grab handles for easy and safe exit of the cab.

The truck is available with Volvo’s new advanced Camera Monitor System.

It’s available in two heights (standing): Sleeper cab (1575 mm) and Extended/ High sleeper (1945 mm).

Axle configurations available: 4X2, 6X2, 6X4, 8X2, 8X4

GVW: 19-32 tonnes

Motor: 330 kW

Battery: 360 kWh (4 batteries)

Range: up to 200 km (range depends on several parameters such as load weight, driving style, driving cycle, topography, temperature, etc.)

Charging: 250 kW (DC), 43 kW (AC)

Wheelbase: 3900-6000 mm

MONTGOMERY TRANSPORT –GROWTH THROUGH INNOVATION

Your comprehensive local logistics partner with a global reach

As the logistics industry continues to evolve, Montgomery Transport stands out as a formidable force driving innovation, reliability, and growth. With a proud history of year-on-year expansion, Montgomery Transport has established itself not just as an Irish Sea haulier, but as a comprehensive logistics partner with a global reach.

Year after year, Montgomery Transport has experienced significant growth, expanding its operations, capabilities, and geographic footprint. From its humble beginnings, the company has grown into a powerhouse in the industry, thanks to its unwavering commitment to excellence and a customer-centric approach. To fuel and drive forward this growth, the company has also made significant investment in strategy, systems and in its people.

This consistent growth trajectory is a testament to Montgomery Transport’s ability to adapt to changing market dynamics, seize new opportunities, and deliver superior value to its clients.

While the company has deep roots in Northern Ireland, and is where it all started, its influence extends far beyond, offering a comprehensive suite of logistics solutions to clients worldwide. With a diverse and extensive fleet of vehicles, Montgomery Transport is equipped to handle a wide range of transportation needs, from standard freight to specialised

cargo, with efficiency and precision. One of the key differentiators for Montgomery Transport is its ownership of a trailer manufacturing facility and truck dealerships. This vertical integration not only ensures access to the latest technology and equipment but also allows the company to maintain strict quality control standards throughout its operations. By owning and operating its own fleet, Montgomery Transport can guarantee reliability, safety, and efficiency at every stage of the logistics process.

Beyond its impressive fleet and infrastructure, Montgomery Transport takes pride in its expansive customer base. As a unique general haulier, the company serves clients across diverse industries, including retail, manufacturing, agriculture, and more. This broad customer base is a testament to Montgomery Transport’s versatility,

adaptability, and ability to tailor solutions to meet the specific needs of each client.

Moreover, Montgomery Transport is part of Ballyvesey Holdings, a group of trading companies that offer a complete global logistics solution. Leveraging the resources, expertise, and network of this larger group, Montgomery Transport is able to provide end-to-end logistics services that span the globe. Whether it’s coordinating complex international shipments, managing supply chain logistics, or providing warehousing solutions, Montgomery Transport is a trusted partner for businesses seeking seamless, efficient, and reliable logistics support. Montgomery Transport’s year-on-year growth, extensive fleet, and global reach position mark it as a leader in the logistics industry. With a commitment to excellence, innovation, and customer satisfaction, the company continues to set new standards for logistics excellence and redefine what it means to be a comprehensive logistics partner in today’s dynamic business landscape.

WITH A DIVERSE AND EXTENSIVE FLEET OF VEHICLES, MONTGOMERY TRANSPORT IS EQUIPPED TO HANDLE A WIDE RANGE OF TRANSPORTATION NEEDS, FROM STANDARD FREIGHT TO SPECIALISED CARGO, WITH EFFICIENCY AND PRECISION.

David Wells OBE CEO, Logistics UK

LOGISTICS BUSINESSES MUST BE CONSIDERED IN NEW GOVERMMENT PLANNING

As we continue to outline, our members believe that logistics businesses need to be part of the new UK government’s planning, whichever party is successful in this year’s General Election. And we have now pulled together our industry’s asks for the first 100 days of the new Westminster government –a list which our members believe is key to keeping goods moving and kickstarting economic growth.

With the logistics sector firmly committed to decarbonisation, we believe it is imperative that a dynamic mechanism for Fuel Duty is introduced, with tax incentives for the use and production of low carbon fuels. This would keep business costs down and stable, enabling logistics operators to plan the transition to new fuels more effectively: operators already operate to very narrow margins and need to have certainty in order to budget for the transition efficiently.

We all know that the condition of roads in some areas has deteriorated alarmingly in recent years, and as a result, vehicle maintenance is an increasing focus.

Our ask for the first 100 days of the new government is an emergency uplift in funding for local roads maintenance. This would tackle the road repair backlog, reduce the impact on commercial vehicles using the roads network and ensure that delays to goods are minimised.

Logistics UK will be pressing the new government to commit to reforming the planning process for infrastructure projects. This would ensure that a national logistics network can identified and developed, with its energy

needs provided for. Our hope is that, by prioritising the needs of infrastructure planning, investment decisions can be informed more clearly to enable projects to progress effectively.

Much has been discussed about the industry’s skills shortages, and the Generation Logistics campaign has made significant progress in raising awareness of logistics careers in only its first year. However, to ensure logistics

businesses can tap into the pool of talent available to them more effectively, our manifesto calls for a detailed plan for the reform of the Apprenticeship Levy, and a review of funding for technical skills courses, to ensure that our sector can develop the workforce of tomorrow more effectively.

It is critical that the new government has close, focused dialogue with our sector on the introduction, and cumulative

impact, of changes for trade, customs and border regimes. The pragmatic application of new post-Brexit trading arrangements is critical to successful trade between NI and its trading partners and we continue to press government to ensure that businesses have sufficient support to meet requirements affecting the movement of goods.

Logistics needs consistency of application from government, rather than stop-start policy making, and so our final ask is that the incoming UK administration makes a commitment to support business investment through the tax system.

Our members also need continuity of funding for freight innovation programmes, beyond the current spending review period, to maintain and grow their own business development. As a sector, logistics is at the heart of all economic growth and stands ready to play its part in improving the country’s productivity.

To find out more about the asks of the logistics sector, the full Logistics UK 2024 Manifesto can be found at https://logistics. org.uk/research-hub/policies/ logistics-uk-2024-manifesto

Operator fined £1,600 for driver offences

An operator was convicted at Craigavon Magistrates’ Court and fined a total of £1600. The conviction arose when DVA enforcement officers conducted an In-Depth Investigation into the operator to ensure compliance with the regulations.

The investigation period was agreed as 01st January 2023 to and including 28th February 2023. An analysis of the tachograph data provided revealed 4 periods of driving without an appropriate driver’s card.

The driver of the vehicle on the four occasions was identified. When the driving without a driver card was added to the individuals driving record for there were four occasions where the driver failed to take the appropriate

rest following 4.5 hours of driving. By driving without an appropriate driver’s card on these four occasions he therefore also created a false entry or record on each occasion.

£2,100 fine for driver card offences

A County Armagh driver was convicted at Newry Magistrates’ Court and fined a total of £2100. The conviction arose when DVA enforcement officers conducted an in-depth investigation into the operator to ensure compliance with the regulations.

Departmental checks at the time of request, indicated the operator had several vehicles specified on the Operator Licence at the time of the investigation. When the tachograph data for the vehicles was analysed it was noted that the vehicle unit of a vehicle registration had not been downloaded within the timeframe set out in the regulations. There were also three digital driver’s cards that had not been downloaded within the timeframe set out in the regulations. Furthermore, the operator caused or permitted nine occasions of vehicles being driven without the appropriate driver’s card inserted together with three weekly rest offences. The operator therefore failed to appropriately carry out regular checks to ensure compliance with the regulations and had failed to appropriately plan the drivers work.

Sales of new HGVs increase in 2023

The Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) have just released their official new vehicle registrations statistics for 2023.

The new data shows that in 2023 both sales of new light commercial vehicles (LCV) and heavy commercial vehicles (HGV) increased when compared with 2022.

The figures reveal new light commercial vehicle (LCV) registrations in 2023 saw an increase of 25.1% (29,403) compared to 2022 (23,510) and a 16.1% increase on 2019 (25,336). New Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) saw an increase of 20.4% (2,655) in comparison to 2022 (2,205) and 19.9% on 2019 (2,214).

The same figures also revealed new car registrations for 2023 finished at 121,850 +16% on 2022 (105,398) and up 4% on 2019 (117,109).

Imported Used Cars saw 50,716 registrations in 2023, an increase of 9.09% on 2022 (46,490) and a decrease of 55.48% on 2019 (113,926). A total of 22,789 new electric cars were registered in 2023, an increase on the 15,678 registrations seen in 2022 (+45.4%) and 3,444 in 2019 (+561.7%).

Petrol continues to remain the most popular engine type for 2023 with just over 30% of market share, diesel 22% while Electric, Hybrid, and Plug-in Hybrid together account for 45.5% of the market.

Commenting on the figures, Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General “2023 was a year of progress for the Irish Motor Industry, both in terms of new vehicle registrations and electric vehicle sales. The commercial vehicle sector both light and heavy vehicles also delivered a solid performance in 2023. Light commercial vehicles finished 25% ahead of last year and Heavy Goods Vehicles saw a 20% increase on 2022.”

Career Development Training for the Transport Industry in Northern Ireland

Martin

GOODS VEHICLE OPERATORS - OPERATOR’S LICENCE PROMISES/COMMITMENTS!

What are the basics regarding maintaining a vehicle’s roadworthiness?

In the previous edition of Export & Freight we covered a key item within an operator’s maintenance regime – brakes. In this edition we expand on that theme to general maintenance.

Many operators fail to recognise that even if they lease, hire through contract hire or contract out the maintenance of their vehicles and trailers the responsibility always rests with them as the operator. This responsibility includes - ensuring the vehicles are roadworthy, have a valid roadworthiness test certificate (sometimes referred to an MOT or PSV) and there are systems and procedures in place to ensure this is the case with records to evidence these.

When an operator applies for an operator’s licence, or completes the operator’s licence renewal checklist, it’s important that both the operator and transport manager/person responsible for the transport actually reads the detail of what they are legally committing to when these papers are completed and signed.

Every operator’s licence is granted by the Department for Infrastructure on the understanding that the conditions and undertakings stipulated on the application/ renewal form (and on the actual operator’s licence when granted) will be adhered to – please read these as it’s surprising how

many operators and transport managers don’t actually know!

An undertaking is a “promise/ commitment” made by the operator to the Department that they will ensure these are complied with.

The Department will take on trust that they will – if that trust is broken when an operator doesn’t adhere to them then the operator and transport manager is liable to be subject to an audit, to be called to a hearing or Public Inquiry with their repute under scrutiny. The undertakings specified on the operator’s licence will include as a minimum the following:

1. The laws relating to the driving and operation of vehicles used under the operator’s licence are observed.

2. The rules on driver’s hours and tachographs are observed, proper records are kept and that these are made available on request.

3. Vehicles and trailers are not overloaded.

4. Vehicles operate within speed limits.

5. Vehicle and trailers, including hires/leased vehicles and trailers, are kept in a fit and serviceable condition.

6. Drivers report promptly any defects or symptoms of defects that could prevent the safe operation of vehicles and/ or trailers, and any defects are recoded in writing.

7. Records are kept (for 15 months) of all driver reports which record defect, all safety inspections, routine

maintenance and repairs, to vehicles, and that these are made available on request.

8. An unauthorised operating centre is not used.

9. The Department will be notified within 28 days of the occurrence of any convictions or penalty against the operator/Company/partners, company Directors, transport manager/s and any agent/ employee of the operator.

10. The Department will be notified within 28 days on any changes that may effect:

• good repute,

• maintenance,

• control/shareholding of the company,

• financial status,

• Directorships/partners

For the purposes of this article, we will focus on items 5, 6 and 7 above which form the basis of an operator’s management of maintenance.

The Department for Infrastructures

Driver & Vehicle Agency publish an excellent guide which all transport managers/operators should be familiar with as it is used by the Transport Regulation Unit as a benchmark for measuring how an operator is meeting their obligations

- Driver Vehicle Agency - A guide to maintaining roadworthiness

| Department for Infrastructure (infrastructure-ni.gov.uk)

Some of the key points of a good maintenance system should include:

1. A driver or responsible person must undertake a

daily walkaround check, preferably immediately before a vehicle is used.

2. First-use inspections are essential for operators who lease, hire or borrow vehicles. These are especially important where vehicles and trailers have been off the road for some time.

3. Drivers must be able to report promptly any defects or symptoms of defects that could adversely affect the safe operation of vehicles during the period that they are driving the vehicle. Reports must be recorded and provision should be made to record details of any rectification work done. If rectification work is undertaken by a 3rd party provider the defect sheet should be matched/married up with the defect job card/ invoice for evidence purposes.

4. Drivers’ defect reports, used to record any faults and rectification work, must be kept for at least 15 months.

5. Operators must ensure that safety inspections are carried out at the stated frequency – The frequency must take cognizance of the nature of use that the vehicle is being put, distances driven and the age of the vehicle. A guide is contained within the DVA guide to maintaining vehicle roadworthiness as a reference. It’s up to the operator to determine this and it should be reviewed on an ongoing basis. The Department may

John

RHA Policy Manager for Northern Ireland.

John Martin

stipulate a shorter period if it has any concerns regarding the frequency stipulated by the operator.

6. Safety inspections must include those items covered by the appropriate DVA annual test.

7. Safety inspections should be pre-planned, preferably using a time-based programme.

8. The system of safety inspection reports must be regularly monitored, especially in the early stages by the transport manager/ competent person to ensure:

• The frequency is appropriate,

• That any defects being picked up should have been identified by the drivers,

• The technician/3rd party provider is fully, legibly and accurately completing the forms. If the forms contain evidence that items are being missed by the technician/3rd party provider on an ongoing basis this is proof that the transport manager/person responsible for managing the transport is not “effectively and continuously” managing the undertaking

9. Any remedial work carried out as a result of safety inspections must be recorded.

10. The safety inspection record/ form must include:

• name of owner/operator;

• date of inspection;

• vehicle identity (registration mark/trailer number);

• make and model;

• odometer (mileage recorder) reading, if appropriate;

• a list of all the manual items to be inspected;

• details of any defects;

• name of inspector;

• details of any repair work and who did it;

• a signed declaration that any defects have been repaired satisfactorily and the vehicle is now in a safe roadworthy condition.

It’s essential the form used is an up-to-date form such as those published by the RHA RHA | Shop | Vehicle Maintenance.

11. On some types of vehicles and operations, intermediate safety checks may be necessary.

12. Records of safety inspections must be kept for at least 15 months for all vehicles including vehicles that have been removed from the operator’s licence.

13. Staff carrying out safety inspections must be competent to assess the significance of defects. Assistance must be available to support the safety inspection process.

14. There must be an internal system to ensure that unroadworthy vehicles are removed from service with someone responsible to take vehicles off the road with suitable records of the vehicle being marked as “VOR” on the maintenance system.

15. Operators who undertake their own safety inspections must have the correct tools and facilities for the size of the fleet and type of vehicle operated.

16. All operators should have access to a means of measuring brake efficiency and setting headlamp aim. For vehicles showing signs of visible exhaust smoke a diesel smoke meter

should be used to ensure that the level of smoke emission is within legal requirements.

17. Operators are responsible for the condition of vehicles and trailers that are inspected and/or maintained for them by agents, contractors or hire companies.

18. Operators who have contracted out their safety inspections must draw up a formal written contract with an inspection agency or garage and this must be retained on file. Such operators should view the inspection records and have a means of regularly monitoring the quality of work produced for them.

19. The dates when safety inspections are due must be the subject of forward planning. A maintenance scheduling system, planner or wall chart should be used to identify inspection dates at least six months for manual systems or can be dynamic for electronic systems.

20. Any system of maintaining the roadworthiness of vehicles should be effectively and continually monitored.

21. It is essential that full and comprehensive records are generated for all maintenance undertaken and in particular including:

• Replacement of tyres,

• Job card generated and retained for ad-hoc maintenance by the operator,

• Wheel fitting/refitting with records of initial and subsequent torques by a calibrated torque wrench.

22. Any changes by licensed operators to the arrangements for safety inspections must be updated on the vehicle operator licensing system (VOL).

23. Drivers must be adequately trained and given clear written instructions about their responsibilities with evidence retained of this training.

RHA Policy Manager for Northern Ireland.

VINCI AIRPORTS LAUNCHES MAJOR INVESTMENT AT BELFAST

INTERNATIONAL

AIRPORT

• A £100m five-year investment programme to enhance operational and environmental efficiency

• New security terminal and improved departure and border force areas

• New 26MWp solar farm to be created on site

Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions and President of VINCI Airports, has announced the launch of a £100 million five-year investment plan that will increase the airport’s operational efficiency, improve passenger experience and environmental performance.

Phase one of the program is currently underway, with the construction of a new security building adjacent to the current terminal building. This ultra-modern £25m facility will

transform the passenger security experience by implementing the required Standard 3 Xray screening equipment, meaning passengers will no longer have to remove liquids or electronics from their luggage. The new building will be operational by Summer 2024.

VINCI Airports’ investment plan will also revamp existing facilities, improve airside departure area with additional departure gates and extra seating. Shopping offering will include new catering and retail outlets and the immigration area will also be extended over the next five years.

These investments will improve operational efficiency and quality of service. They will support Belfast International Airport as a key gateway for passengers, as traffic reached 5.9m passengers in 2023.

The initiative will also have a direct positive impact for the entire region, creating an estimated 400 jobs with local construction firms for the duration of the build.

VINCI Airports has also announced the launch of a 26 MWp new solar farm on the airport site which will generate 22.4 GWh of electricity and save 12,500 tonnes of CO2 emissions per year.

The farm will be developed, financed, built, and operated by VINCI Concessions’ photovoltaic subsidiary SunMind. This initiative forms part of VINCI Airports’ global environmental action plan, which aims to reach 50% emission reductions by 2030 and net zero by 2050. A member of VINCI Airports network since 2018, Belfast International Airport has already decreased by 44 % its emissions (scope 1 and 2) by applying VINCI Airports’ environmental solutions.

Nicolas Notebaert, CEO of VINCI Concessions & President of VINCI Airports declared: “VINCI Airports’ investment will support Belfast international airport’s positive dynamic by strongly improving the passenger experience.

The airport plays a pivotal role for aviation, tourism and the wider local economy. As a long-term partner, VINCI Airports is committed to sustainably develop the airport and increase its environmental performance”.

Graham Keddie, Managing Director at Belfast International Airport adds: “Vinci’s commitment to Northern Ireland has been unwavering and their determination to invest such an amount demonstrates the belief they have in the airport, it’s team and potential for future growth. As we mark our 60th anniversary at the end of this month, today’s announcement sets out a clear vision of how we intend to provide a long-term strategic vision for the Airport, our passengers, and the wider region.”

Graham Keddie, Belfast International Airport MD, Nicolas Notebaert, CEO, VINCI Concessions and President, VINCI Airports and Emmanuel Menanteau, Area Director, VINCI Airports.

TOP PERFORMERS CHOOSE TopUsed TRUCKS FROM MAN MAN BACK ON ROAD TO SUCCESS TRUCK SALES INCREASE BY 44% IN 2023

With more than half a million heavy goods vehicles on our roads, owners, operators and fleet managers have plenty of choice when it comes to assessing the right vehicle for their needs.

Northern Ireland, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) show that new registrations increased in 2021/2022 by more than 18%, suggesting a healthy demand for new trucks - a trend which appeared to have been maintained throughout most of 2023.

In the second-hand market too, demand appears to be strong, and while prices may have cooled off slightly in recent months, smart operators are actively looking at the advantages a used truck can bring as opposed to buying new.

The ongoing ’value’ of used vehicles is something MAN has recognised from the beginning, and this recognition is behind its TopUsed initiative.

TopUsed enables buyers to acquire a previously-owned MAN truck direct from the manufacturer, with all of

the associated benefits this brings.

Every vehicle has undergone a rigorous series of service and quality checks which are then both certified and guaranteed, regardless of the vehicle’s age, with each vehicle graded between one and three stars – three being a vehicle that is no older than four years.

In terms of specifics, every truck is put through our TopUsed refurbishment programme and comes with a driveline warranty. The technical checks are all carried out by MAN’s own expert technicians to ensure optimum serviceability and performance, while the interior/ exteriors are all also thoroughly cleaned with any necessary repairs completed.

While potential buyers can be assured that their vehicle is in perfect working order, each truck also comes with a MAN TopUsed

warranty, and an option to add a MAN service care package, all of which support an MAN Uptime Guarantee and 24/7 365 days a year cover in the event of a problem. This ensures that should you experience any difficulty with the vehicle, a team of experienced mechanics is never far away to offer support across no fewer than 30 European countries.

When every minute counts, and reliability is your watchword, that means you can be sure we will be doing our utmost to get you back on the road as quickly as possible.

A growing number of our younger used trucks also come with a RIO box as part of a range of digital services MAN provides.

The RIO box is a telematic system first introduced five years ago as the hub that connects you to services that help you better manage the servicing and

Commercial vehicle manufacturer MAN Truck & Bus achieved significant sales growth in all product areas in the financial year 2023. In total, the company delivered around 116,000 vehicles to its customers, an increase of 37% compared to the previous year, which was still affected by supply bottlenecks and a coronavirus-related decline in demand in the bus segment. In addition, 11,600 engines were sold.

With the market launch of the eTruck in October, MAN is thus continuing to systematically pursue its strategy of decarbonizing its vehicle fleet. By 2030, half of all new MAN trucks and around 90% of all new city buses are to have a battery-electric drive. Work is also already underway on the electric coach of the future.

Commenting on the success of 2023, Friedrich Baumann, Chief Sales and Customer Solutions Officer at MAN Truck & Bus SE, is impressed: “After some very challenging years, we are back on the road to success. We were able to score points with our innovative product portfolio and our customer-oriented services, which is one of the reasons why the 2023 financial year brought us record sales in some cases. “Thanks to a strong team performance across all areas of the company, we were able to meet the extremely high demand in the best possible way and deliver more vehicles and engines

than we have for years.” Truck sales developed particularly

positively, growing by 44% yearon-year to around 83,700 units.

Bus sales also rose, increasing by 19% to around 5 700 units.

All segments recorded strong growth, with the market for coaches in particular, which had slumped due to the coronavirus pandemic, recovering significantly. Sales of coaches more than doubled to over 1,100 vehicles. The van business also increased significantly. MAN Truck & Bus even exceeded the pre-corona figures and delivered more vans than ever before. Around 26,600 vans were handed over to customers, which corresponds to an increase of 23%.

The external engine business can look back on the second most successful year in its history after 2014. Around 11,600 engines were sold in 2023, more than half of them to customers in the agricultural sector - for use in tractors or combine harvesters, for example.

maintenance of your fleet, predicting faults before they occur to enable preventative action to be taken and reduce unnecessary downtime.

The MAN Digital Services also help with compliance, reading and storing tachograph and driver card data which in turn supports driver safety, and a Geo feature that records and analyses route information to drive further efficiencies and improved operational performance in future route planning.

Accessing MAN’s range of TopUsed vehicles is made easier by having a dedicated website page with details of local dealers. MAN has recently developed the MAN LionView video service, where experts will create a short video for you that is individually tailored to your enquiry, and accompanied by high resolution images to help you ‘experience’ your vehicle remotely at a time and locations that is convenient to you before seeing it in person.

Find out more about MAN Top Used: https://www.man.eu/topused/uk/en/ homepage.html To discover more about our contract hire offer contact:

Brian Beattie - RK Trucks, Carryduff07710 813573; Julian BrownRK Trucks, Dungannon – 07435 787329

THE ROAD TO HYDROGEN WITH HVS

As the drive to make the logistics industry greener and more sustainable continues apace, there is a new name entering the industry providing what could just be the perfect solution to our emissions problems.

Established in 2017, and with their current headquarters based in Glasgow, HVS (Hydrogen Vehicle Systems) are a hydrogen based technology business using worldclass innovation to design and produce zero-emission commercial vehicles. And tasked with the responsibility for bringing these exciting and innovative new vehicles to market is Co Antrim man John McLeister, FCILT.

CEO of HVS, Jawad Khursheed, welcomed John with confidence, “In this field, John’s credentials are impeccable, and without

equal, we look forward to the value John brings.” John has worked for the past 34 years with Wrightbus and can boast that he sold the first hydrogen doubledecker bus to Aberdeen back in 2010.

Mr McLeister joined Wrightbus as a 16 year old trainee and over the years worked his way up through the business to become Head of Production and eventually onto the role of Business Development Director in 2016.

During his tenure, Wrightbus became a market leader manufacturing 26 buses a

week, and to date over 200 zero emission hydrogen powered buses have been sold and are currently in service in cities including Aberdeen, Birmingham and London.

“This isn’t a new technology. It’s already tried and tested. HVS is developing this technology for use in heavy duty commercial vehicles!” comments Mr McLeister during an interview with Export and Freight magazine.

Talking about his decision to move from successful, well-established company Wrightbus to relatively new business HVS, Mr McLeister said he didn’t hesitate.

John McLeister.

“It was a great opportunity to have.

“I saw such a wealth of talent at HVS –including automotive stalwarts and an energized and motivated staff. I was hugely impressed by the ‘can do’ culture at HVS and it was a great, new opportunity for me.”

“HVS has gone from a small team of founding members to an organization with circa 250 colleagues and partners consisting of a mix of full-time employees and expert contractors. The company has brought together a range of experts from all the related fields to scale up this company and we continue to grow exponentially”.

HVS are rapidly developing vehicles to support the decarbonisation of the medium to heavy vehicle sectors, and to this end are developing prototypes powered by a proprietary green hydrogen fuel cell propulsion system. “We currently have a few rigs developed for testing, with the aim to have demonstrator vehicles available by 2025.”

With the only tailpipe emission being pure water, the HVS’s fuel cell platform offers best in class, next generation HGVs to support the transport industry’s transition to net zero. HVS are not to be confused with other truck manufacturers, as the way they approach building and developing their vehicles is fundamentally different to others in the industry. HVS describe themselves as a ‘solutions-based business’, working with partners in the hydrogen supply chain.

“What we offer is from the ground up. We need to understand what the customer wants in terms of performance – what they need it to do – what routes they will be taking, and what loads they need to carry.

“HVS will work with customers to ensure they have the right vehicle for the job with the right balance of power. The vehicles have to function for them (the company) but it must also perform for the drivers – it’s their workplace, and must function for them while working, and also while not driving,” continued Mr McLeister.

“It’s all about engaging with the customer

base and forming partnerships with the companies to go on a low-carbon journey together. We have built up a lot of credible partners in the hydrogen space”

Interested firms will be able to sign up for trials, with HVS working closely with them introducing them to infrastructure partners.

“We will join their journey, with partnership status sharing our data with our partnerslooking at costs, availability of hydrogen in their operating areas and looking at potential subsidies. Basically, how it will all work for the customer on their hydrogen journey.

“We will provide a wraparound proposal for these firms – a full solution-based proposal. I have the necessary experience in this space,” said John McLeister. There will be two versions – 26 tonne and a 42 tonne truck based on the same platform and the same chassis. The modular platform’s flexibility is such that the trucks can easily be retrofitted with alternative modules such as additional hydrogen tanks if the fleet’s duties

change or expand. This has the effect of minimising the total cost of ownership (TCO) and provides a compelling business case for early switching to CO2-free vehicles.

HVS also will use AI (artificial intelligence) when developing vehicles for customers, looking at a range of factors including the road ahead, the weather, driver behavior - and are confident they can achieve at least 10% better economy by considering all these relevant factors.

The ultimate aim is to give the customer a fullyfunctioning tractor unit that will meet all their specific needs – with the trucks having a range of up to 600km (similar to diesel), refuelling at a pump (10-20 minutes) meaning less downtime per vehicle, and of course zero emissions.

“I sold the first hydrogen double-decker bus in the world, and I want to sell the first hydrogen powered truck – it will be a proud moment” admits John McLeister. “We want to be ‘best in class’ – we are a catalyst in this space”

SOS Sales Ltd announces £8m partnership with South African tanker manufacturer GRW

Armagh Company SOS Sales Ltd is celebrating having agreed an exclusive multi-million pound contract to supply GRW tankers from South Africa into Ireland and the UK.

The business, which employs 7 staff across two sites in Armagh and at Ellesmere Port in England was set up by local man James Scallon twenty years ago in 2003. As a result of the new partnership with GRW, a leading transport equipment designer, manufacturer and service provider of state-of-theart tankers and trailers, SOS Sales Ltd will now become the authorised dealer of GRW liquid tankers to industry and private sector across UK, Ireland and further afield.

SOS Sales Ltd will focus on the provision of the full range of GRW liquid ADR tanker products which includes specialised liquid tankers for food and chemical transportation including hazardous liquids which can be held.

In October, the SOS Sales Ltd team visited GRW at their company headquarters in Worcester, Western Cape, South Africa and met with owner Gerhard van der Merwe who created the company with the mission to build worldclass road tankers. Following a tour of the state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities, SOS Sales Ltd has now signed a contract to act as an authorised distributor for GRW here and has placed an £8 million order for tankers, the first of which have now arrived.

A second order for 100 tankers has also been agreed, to be delivered in 2024-25. The partnership which is supported by Danske Bank makes SOS Sales Ltd the largest customer to GRW in UK and Ireland and will see the company, which has recently moved to new offices in Armagh, bring the flagship specialised liquid tankers to the private sector clients.

Commenting on the partnership with GRW, SOS Sales Ltd Chief Executive James Scallon, said; “We are thrilled to have GRW as a strategic partner to SOS Sales Ltd and are delighted to

lead their distribution within Ireland and the UK to industry. “As a local business, and provider of new and used tankers and trailers across the globe, we strive to provide and source for our many customers the best in class within tankers, and we know GRW has one of the world’s most advanced liquid tanker manufacturing plants in the world. This partnership underpins our focus in SOS Sales Ltd on excellence and we are delighted to have agreed the first suite of tankers which have started to arrive in Armagh, with more enroute to Belfast port.

“Sales are already in place for several of the first fleet, so popular is GRW as a manufacturer, continued James Scallon.

Gerhard van der Merwe, CEO of GRW welcomed the partnership with SOS Sales Ltd adding; “We are very pleased to announce the new partnership with SOS, our working relationship with James and Lee span over many years. We are very excited to be back in the UK and Irish market to supply our existing and new customers with high quality tankers. Our tankers have proved their superior structural integrity over many years dating back as far as 2006. Our expanded product offering includes petroleum, ADR and food grade liquid and dry bulk tankers. SOS will provide the after sales service to ensure optimal up time for our products”.

Based in Armagh, SOS Sales Ltd is a major UK provider of new and used tankers and trailers to a wide range of customers and industry worldwide and use a network of reputable shipping agents and movers. Anyone wanting to discuss GRW products or to find out more about the range, contact James Scallon, james@sossales.co.uk or Lee Tipton, lee@sossales.co.uk.

EU agrees ambitious CO2-reduction targets

Law makers have reached a deal setting the most ambitious CO2 reduction targets for trucks and buses globally.

Truck and bus manufacturers fully support an ambitious decarbonisation agenda.

However, the agreed implementation timeline remains extremely challenging in the absence of vital enabling conditions, stated the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA).

Taking note of the trilogue agreement, European truck and bus manufacturers emphasise that the highly ambitious CO2 reduction targets agreed today must be backed up by credible enabling conditions.

“Electric charging and hydrogen refilling infrastructure, comprehensive carbon pricing schemes, and meaningful support measures for transport operators to invest quickly: these are the key ingredients for rapidly decarbonising the heavy-duty transport sector, in addition to zero-emission vehicles,” emphasised

Sigrid de Vries, ACEA Director General.

“We cannot continue boldly setting ambitious targets for vehicle manufacturers and expect swift and smooth implementation to follow. Without an enabling framework to shore up demand for the zeroemission models, achieving targets will be impossible, especially with the envisaged timeline,” de Vries explained.

To achieve targets by 2030, more than 400,000 battery-electric and hydrogenpowered vehicles will have to be on the road, and at least one-third of all new registrations must be zero-emission models. Europe needs at least 50,000 suitable charging stations (the majority being Megawatt Charging Systems) and at least 700 hydrogen refilling stations to make the equation work.

Decarbonising heavy-duty transport requires a collective effort from a diverse set of stakeholders across the transport ecosystem. “We are playing our part by investing and ramping up series production of zeroemission trucks and buses, but we rely on our customers’ ability to invest and operate new vehicles to replace older vehicles currently on Europe’s roads,” de Vries added.

The European auto industry is encouraged by the agreement for an earlier comprehensive review date (2027) than initially proposed by the Commission and to continue zero and lowemission vehicle (ZLEV) incentives until 2029.

(L-R) James Scallon, Chief Executive SOS Sales Ltd and Lee Tipton, Operations Manager at SOS Sales Ltd with the first GRW tanker from South Africa to arrive in Armagh. The company has become the authorised dealer of GRW world class tankers across Ireland and the UK, placing an initial £8m order with GRW for its liquid ADR tanker products.

A sustainable choice for your business

ENVIRONMENT

enviromentally friendly NETWORK always nearby

More sustainable fuel options, like milesBio HVO100 with up to 90% less carbon emissions and more high speed EV chargers across our network.

Ireland's largest branded fuel card network with over 350 locations across the island of Ireland.

PRODUCTS

all you need when you need it

Full range of fuel products including EV and car wash to make your journey's easier.

TOP UP YOUR TANKS WITH OUR FUEL FEATURE

It is the single biggest cost faced by logistics firms, and hauliers here, yet without it the industryand indeed the entire local economy - would grind to a shuddering halt.

And while the drive to carbon zero continues apace, diesel is still the key fuel used by the trucks and lorries on these roads – and will be key to keeping the wheels turning for years to come.

And with diesel being the biggest expense for business across the freight industry sourcing the best fuel, and getting the best deal for your business has never been more important.

One of the most important

tools for transport managers must surely be the Fuel Card, and in this feature we will look at some of the options available at the moment.

What are the advantages of using a fuel card for your fleet, and why have they become

so essential for many fleet managers across the industry.

Transport firms need high convenience and the lowest possible costs, so how does using a Fuel Card make financial and business sense?

DCI is Ireland’s premier fuel card, providing innovative fuel and fleet solutions to over 49,500 customers, from fleets to HGVs, including hybrid, electric and HVO.

Unlock your optimal fleet by integrating our fuel cards with our best-in-class telematics to generate new business intelligence, enabling tailored efficiencies through data analysis and optimal fleet performance.

Complete network coverage

We operate Ireland’s largest fuel card network, with over 1,900 sites offering full geographical coverage, including HGV, 24-hour and branded sites, 1,400 EV charge points and a 10,000 site European network.

Complete account control

Velocity, our account management software, enables you to spend less time on administration and more on your business, helping you maximise fuel efficiency, increase driver safety and lower your risks and costs.

Find your fleet solutions

NI: 02871 812 121

ROI: 091 482 934

Visit our website to see how we can support your business DCIcard.com

RADIUS - THE NAME BEHIND THE DCI FUEL CARD

Radius is a global business services company operating in 18 countries across five continents; we have been helping businesses grow across the UK and Ireland for thirty years by providing a one-stop solution for mobility customers from SMEs to multinationals.

We own and operate the DCI network, Ireland’s premier fuel card, providing innovative fleet solutions to almost 50,000 customers in Ireland. We’re the largest network of any fuel card provider, with over 1,900 sites offering full geographical coverage North and South. EV customers can access over 1,400 charge points, making DCI the ideal solution for mixed fleets. European haulage customers can utilise our 10,000 sites across Europe. Our extensive network means minimum deviation and maximum efficiency.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A FUEL CARD?

Fuel cards help mobility businesses accelerate their productivity and achieve maximum time and cost efficiencies while managing business risk.

Our local team match customers with the right products whether they want guaranteed savings at the pumps or market reactive pricing - our pricing

tracks global markets to ensure reactive and competitive pricing, with customers receiving weekly price notifications.

But it’s not just access to the largest fuelling network or the best fuel prices; our fuel cards are managed via Velocity, our award-winning account management portal, which helps customers maximise fuel efficiency and increase driver safety while lowering risks and business costs. With a DCI fuel card, you can pay for additional products such as AdBlue or add a DCI toll tag to ensure more efficient journeys.

HOW CAN CUSTOMERS FIND A STATION ON THE DCI NETWORK?

We have an app - E-Route, that enables route planning with Google and Apple Maps integration and is updated daily.

You can add DCI refuelling stops along your journey in advance and filter to view 24-hour, HGV or Adblue stations.

HOW DOES VELOCITY HELP YOUR CUSTOMERS?

Velocity provides a complete overview of customer’s fuel card accounts and other devices, such as telematics, helping them spend less time on administration. Our cards

WE’RE THE LARGEST NETWORK OF ANY FUEL CARD PROVIDER, WITH OVER 1,900 SITES OFFERING FULL GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE NORTH AND SOUTH

Peter Brown, Radius.

have pin protection and are managed online. Velocity offers HMRC/Revenuecompliant invoice management, matches fuel cards to vehicles and drivers to stop fraud and identify inefficiencies, provides comprehensive activity reports, allow spending limit settings and a VAT reclaim service.

Customers can view card status, including embossed details, order new cards, block lost or stolen cards, request replacements, get PIN reminders, and set custom alerts on spending and fuelling amounts to highlight unusual transactions and create and manage groups to simplify administration.

All our commercial customers can avail of Fleet Control and Insights reports designed to give a complete account overview, including frequency, volumes, and fuelling locations per card.

HOW CAN A FUEL CARD HELP DELIVER OPTIMAL FLEET PERFORMANCE?

On top of the significant business benefits our fuel cards produce when fully integrated with a Radius telematics device, they generate a new level of business intelligence across your fleet, enabling tailored efficiencies through data

analysis and optimal fleet performance.

By linking your DCI fuel card and Radius Telematics device, you can identify, analyse and stop fuel fraud through our geolocation technology, which highlights card and vehicle separation. You can locate and analyse driver and vehicle inefficiencies, highlighting inadequate driving or defective vehicles to increase MPG. And create and analyse location and vehicle cost groups to determine the optimal fleet size and structure to generate maximum return on fuel, vehicle, and driver costs.

Our Radius Connected Fleet customers receive proactive support to help analyse and achieve optimal fleet efficiency, and all accounts, including invoicing and business analysis, are managed via Velocity.

Find your fleet solutions contact us on: NI: 02871 812 121; ROI: 00353 (0) 91 482 934 or find us at www.DCIcard.com

CIRCLE K TURNS ITS FOCUS TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE FUTURE BY REDUCING CARBON EMISSIONS

Circle K are committed to a more sustainable future for you and your business. They have been working to provide customers with alternative solutions that fit with the needs of your business and allow a seamless transition for your fleet.

milesBIO HVO100 stands at the forefront of eco-friendly solutions, presenting an impressive reduction of up to 90% in carbon greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions compared to traditional diesel.

Unveiling its potential to the market in Ireland, Circle K milesBIO HVO100 has already made strides in Scandinavia, particularly in Norway, Sweden, and Denmark. What sets milesBIO HVO100 apart is its composition, derived entirely from renewable feedstock sourced from vegetable oils, used cooking oil, and various waste

and by-products from the food industry. Unlike conventional fuels, milesBIO HVO100 is a new generation of renewable diesel that prioritises sustainability.

Circle K have already commenced the roll out of milesBIO HVO100 on their network and have plans for further expansion during 2024.

Circle K continue to provide fueling facilities for CNG (Compressed Natural Gas) at a number of their service stations and demand for these has grown over the past few years as customers look to alternative low carbon fuels.

Electric vehicles have garnered significant attention in recent years, propelled by advancements in battery technology and the global push towards decarbonisation.

For businesses the investment in EV vehicles can have huge advantages. Circle K strive to create the easiest, most efficient charging experience for you and your electric vehicle.

The company has invested heavily in increasing the availability of their own high-speed chargers as well as partnering with ESB, Ionity and Tesla to ensure customers have access to an extensive

network of charging locations.

The Circle K chargers offer you a high-powered charging service, allowing you to refuel quickly and conveniently, and continue with your journey. Take advantage of the time spent on their sites and grab a coffee or food instore while you wait. This is an exciting space for Circle K and they look forward to expanding their EV offering further.

For your business needs, the Circle K Pro Fuelcard provides a seamless payment method when fueling on our extensive network of Service stations.

Circle K are taking significant steps towards more sustainable fuels, embodying the principles of circular economy and carbon neutrality.

THE CIRCLE K CHARGERS OFFER YOU A HIGHPOWERED CHARGING SERVICE, ALLOWING YOU TO REFUEL QUICKLY AND CONVENIENTLY, AND CONTINUE WITH YOUR JOURNEY.

£4.5 MILLION INVESTMENT WILL BRING A NEW MERCEDES-BENZ DEALERSHIP TO DUNGANNON

MBNI Truck & Van, Northern Ireland’s only Mercedes-Benz commercial dealer, has announced a £4.5 million investment into a new state-of-the-art dealership in Dungannon, creating an additional 20 jobs in the local area.

Group CEO Pauline McKeating recently made the announcement following continued growth and having taken majority ownership of the business in 2023 from well-known Northern Irish entrepreneur Neil McKibbin, who will continue in his role as Chairman. Pauline held the Finance Director position for many years at the MBNI Group before progressing to CEO and is now the majority shareholder in the group, which includes MBNI Truck & Van, RentaMerc, and Rossetts Commercials, based in the south of England. 2023 saw MBNI Holdings named one of the top 100 businesses in Northern Ireland for the first time, with a turnover of £90.6 million as well as employing over 300 people across the group. MBNI’s investment in the

Dungannon area will see the MercedesBenz Truck & Van dealer relocate from their current premises in The Bush to a multi-acre site located just off the M1 Motorway behind the current M1 service area in Dungannon.

The dealership will expand its current offering to include three drive-through truck maintenance bays and eight light vehicle maintenance bays, and for the first time, MBNI will offer an after-sales service for Mercedes-Benz passenger car customers.

The site will also include an extensive parts store, space for vehicle sales, new electric vehicle infrastructure, and a new office for MBNI’s rental division, RentaMerc.

Pauline stated, “I’m delighted to officially announce the development of a brand-new state-of-the-art Mercedes-Benz dealership in Dungannon. This multi-million-pound investment is a testament to cementing our place in the Dungannon area and expanding our reach throughout Northern Ireland.” Construction began early in January, and MBNI will be recruiting for several positions throughout 2024 in anticipation of the grand opening of the new site in the second half of 2024. This will include commercial vehicle technicians, service advisors, parts advisors, and administrative staff. Recruitment has already begun, and you can find out more information about these roles by visiting mbtvni.co.uk/careers

Matt Black Actros is Xpression’s Shining star

The stunning Mercedes-Benz Actros L rig is now bringing cutting edge artificial intelligencedriven performance analysis to some of the UK’s leading professional sports teams.

Operated by specialist haulier Xpression Event Solutions, the Actros L 1853 works with a purpose-designed mobile laboratory trailer owned by sports science contractor ai.io. Trailer and tractor are finished in eye-catching matt black and bear the livery of the company’s aiLabs division.

It was supplied with funding support via Daimler Truck Financial Services by Dealer Sparshatt Truck and Van, who will also maintain the truck under the terms of a Mercedes-Benz Service Contract.

The vehicle visits leading sports organisations – including leading top-flight football clubs – to provide a range of expert services that help teams and individuals to measure, understand and improve their capabilities across a range of metrics.

Although owned by ai.io and staffed by its expert scientists and technicians, the trailer is maintained and transported by Xpression Event Solutions.

“This is a premium service and aiLabs’ customers are some of the biggest names in sport, so obviously when choosing a truck to haul their trailer, quality was of paramount importance,” said Xpression Managing Director Jonathan Hill.

“The Actros L fits the bill perfectly. It has all the presence and brand image we could wish for, backed

up with renowned Mercedes-Benz reliability and performance.”

Xpression’s new truck has a rangetopping, flat-floored GigaSpace cab and is powered by a muscular 390 kW (530 hp), 12.8-litre in-line six-cylinder engine. Its specification includes MirrorCam rear-facing cameras, in place of traditional side mirrors, which relay their images to screens inside the cab, as well as safety

equipment including Active Brake Assist 5 autonomous braking with pedestrian recognition, as well as Attention Assist, Traffic Sign Assist and Proximity Control Assist systems.

“This was our first MercedesBenz truck from Sparshatt and we’ve been very impressed with the service,” continued Mr Hill. Established in 2007, Xpression Event Solutions has grown steadily and

New training course for freight industry newcomers

BIFA, the British International Freight Association, have just added a new training course to its one-day freight essentials training portfolio.

Introduction to Freight has been designed for anyone who is a complete newcomer to the world of freight and logistics and is a practical course for beginners that will give participants a good foundation in the processes involved when importing and exporting goods. BIFA’s freight and customs training courses aim to be the most engaging within the industry, whether that be an online class, faceto-face, or eLearning. Delivered by a team of industry experts, the various courses have gained a well deserved reputation for being

very informative and delivering great value for money; and that will be the case for the new course. In 2023, BIFA has trained over 1000 learners face-to-face on its various courses. By the end of the course, participants can expect to be able to identify all parties involved in the process of importing and exporting goods, whilst understanding the process of a shipment, as well as the roles and responsibilities of the freight forwarding and logistics company and the various carriers involve.

now runs a fleet of 18 trucks. These are used to transport hospitality and display trailers to roadshows, exhibitions and sports events throughout the UK and Europe, as well as for general event logistics.

The aiLabs trailer is equipped to offer comprehensive sports analytics solutions to teams and clubs across a variety of disciplines, with testing methods and metrics that can be adjusted to meet specific requirements.

Furthermore, the course will ensure that they will be able to determine the main elements required when arranging a shipment between a buyer and seller; and understand the common documents that may be needed and are used within the industry. The course will define why shipping instructions are required and explain their roles and responsibilities.

It will also explain the differences between the commercial invoice and the packing list, and determine information that needs to be provided; whilst providing an overview of Incoterms 2020 and their role in the terms of sale.

Anyone working for a BIFA member wishing to participate in the new course can take advantage of a special introductory offer and save £100 when they book and secure their spot on this course for only £190.”

CATEGORIES ANNOUNCED EXPORT & FREIGHT TRANSPORT & LOGISTICS AWARDS 2024

TRANSPORT MANAGER OF THE YEAR

This award will be presented to the applicant who demonstrates the highest levels of up-to-date knowledge, professionalism and ability in managing all aspects of a modern transport undertaking. More Information on application.

CHILLED OPERATOR OF THE YEAR

This award will be presented to the best Chilled Operator who presents an up-to-date modern fleet with a high-quality distribution service. More Information on application.

NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL HAULIER OF THE YEAR (OVER 20 VEHICLES)

This award will be presented to the applicant who operates under a standard operator’s licence with more than 20 vehicles specified on their operators licence and demonstrates the highest levels of up to date knowledge, professionalism and high quality service to their respective customer base. More Information on application.

LOGISTICS & WAREHOUSING SPECIALIST

This will be presented to a national organisation with bases in Ireland/UK and/or Europe offering a high level of international logistics service covering all aspects of the supply chain including haulage, warehousing, and distribution.

The winner will prove a total commitment to providing an excellent range of logistics services and exceptional levels of customer care.

DRIVER OF THE YEAR

This Award will be presented to the commercial vehicle driver who offers a high standard of driving skills, excellent driving record, immaculate vehicle and dress code and dedication to the trade. More Information on application.

TRANSPORT PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

This award will be presented to the individual whose personal achievement deserves industry recognition. More Information on application.

APPRENTICE OF THE YEAR

This will be awarded to an Apprentice, someone not certificated at Level 3 before Sept 2023, who has demonstrated skill and determination in the course of their training and working in a workshop. More Information on application.

NEW CATEGORY

ELECTRIC VAN OF THE YEAR

This new award invites all manufacturers to nominate one, 100% electric powered vehicle from their model range. As the move to Net zero continues, the benefits of running electric vans increase, and more fleet operators are opting to run electric vans. The winner will be decided through practical driving and presentations. More information on application.

TRUCK OF THE YEAR

This award invites all truck manufacturers to nominate one vehicle from their model range over 18 tonnes GVW which they see as the ultimate fleet truck for the UK and Ireland. The winner will be ascertained through practical driving and presentations. More Information on application.

TRAILER FLEET OF THE YEAR

This award will be presented to an operator whose trailer fleet consistently offers exceptional standards in every aspect of operation. More Information on application.

FOOD DISTRIBUTION COMPANY OF THE YEAR

This award will be presented to the ambient or chilled food distribution company who demonstrates high levels of excellence in all aspects of food distribution, storage and delivery. More Information on application.

TOP TEAM OF THE YEAR

This award is open to all companies and businesses in every sector of the logistics industry - from transport and logistics operators to exporters, warehousing experts, shipping companies and dealerships - and recognises teams within the organisation who by working together on a project, initiative or strategy have made a significant and positive contribution, perhaps by overcoming difficulties and challenges to do so. A team, by definition, could be made up by just two people, or a hundred; size is not important. What is important is that the team can demonstrate outstanding achievement or accomplishment in their area or field of expertise.

TOP FLEET OF THE YEAR

This will be presented to an outstanding fleet of vehicles based on appearance, quality, maintenance programmes, driver efficiency, skill and professionalism. More Information on application.

WORKSHOP OF THE YEAR

Judging for workshop of the year is open to any commercial workshop both private and public sector in Northern Ireland. More Information on application.

INNOVATION EXCELLENCE AWARD

The Innovation Excellence Award is open to all companies operating within the transport and logistics sector who have invested in innovative solutions to make their operations more efficient, profitable and successful. This can be any type of innovation from the latest equipment and facilities to cutting edge technology or environmental solutions. Any type of transport operation is invited to enter from shipping lines to hauliers, van fleet operators to own account fleets. The contender is invited to illustrate in the entry their innovative solutions for their business.

ROAD TO NET ZERO CHAMPION 2024

EXCELLENCE IN CUSTOMER SERVICE AWARD

This will be open to all companies who pride themselves in the level of their customer service including Dealers, Service Agents, Equipment Suppliers, Hauliers, Shipping companies etc. Entrants should show how they have gone the extra mile to provide the highest level of excellence in their service to all customers and outline why their company deserves the accolade of the best Service Provider.

Customer testimonies, though not essential, are advised, as these will show examples of quality customer service. These will be totally confidential and shredded once the judging has taken place.

HAULIER OF THE YEAR

(UP TO 20 VEHICLES)

This award will be presented to the applicant who operates under a standard operator’s licence with 20 or less vehicles specified on their operator’s licence. More Information on application.

As the world is racing towards a net zero future, this category is open to all businesses, teams and individuals who have taken action, with demonstrable benefit to meet the commitments asked of us all to contribute to net zero.

Judges will be keen to see what planning and execution has taken place and evidence of the environmental and financial benefit to the business or our industry as a result.

SAFETY AWARD

Each company will need to demonstrate how they manage, control, and monitor the quality aspects of their respective companies and be able to describe roles, responsibilities, and methodologies for ensuring compliance with all regulatory bodies.

Review of the company’s strategy and controls currently employed, or to be developed and implemented by the company, to consistently deliver products and services that meet the requirements of the Safety Award.

*Read more at https://exportandfreight.com/awards-enter-24/

THE RIGHT TRAILER FOR THE JOB

Whatever part of the local transport industry your business operates in, you won’t get too far without a trailer/ truck body.

Whether you haul tankers, fridges or curtain siders, having the right trailer is essential to making sure you can transport your freight from source to market.

The economy across this island relies very heavily on the transport industry, and those

in this industry have to operate within strict legislation while keeping costs under control.

Getting the right trailer or truck body to move your goods is vital to help you succeed and grow your business.

Within the local logistics industry, there are more

options than ever before when it comes to sourcing trailers to transport your freight. For some it might make sense to purchase their trailers, while for other firms renting or leasing may be the option that makes most financial sense.

With advances in trailer

technology all the time, and new stock being made available across the local marketplace, the right option it out there. While if you are looking for top quality used trailers, there are plenty of options to explore here too.

In this feature, we present you with a range of options – and introduce you to some exciting new companies that may have the perfect solution to your trailer needs.

50 YEARS GETTING IT RIGHT

The biggest independent vehicle acquisition business for UK operators, Dawsongroup truck and trailer, is enjoying its 50th year of operations.

Today’s Dawsongroup business was originally a transport operation, started in 1935 by AEH Dawson, father of current chairman, Peter Dawson. In 1974 however, the decision was made to move into vehicle rental, later expanding into contract hire and leasing.

As Peter Dawson put it some years ago, ’We no longer run our own haulage business, preferring to support those brave

enough to do so in these fiercely competitive times with cost and use-effective rental and leasing assets.’ Nothing changes!

Today, still a family run business and with an enviable track record of long term stability at senior management level, Dawsongroup truck and trailer has a fleet of some 13,000 modern trucks and trailers. These work with everyone from one and two truck operators up to blue chip majors with thousands of vehicles. Managing director of the truck and trailer business, John Fletcher, summed up the Dawsongroup approach like this: “At its most basic level, hire is a very useful mechanism for any operator to have to hand to meet unexpected changes to their fleet: be that

John Fletcher, manging director of Dawsongroup truck and trailer.

replacing a vehicle under repair, meeting demands of a new contract or assessing a new route which needs to be better understood ahead of any major capital investment. Hire gives a level of flexibility that helps operators work their core fleet harder and more profitably, comfortable in the knowledge they have most of their likely fleet eventualities covered.”

COST CONSCIOUS

There is much more to hire than just being the helping hand in emergencies of course.

Investment in new vehicles is a huge capital commitment, and operators have to be certain their fleet can earn its keep. This, particularly at a time when a new vehicle is likely to cost a minimum of 35% more than the asset it will replace.

All, of course, coinciding with used values at a record low, while the cost of borrowing is the highest it has been for some 15 years.

Fletcher’s view of this is, “Hire plays its part here, for sure. It lets operators shift older assets off the fleet before they are crippled by the punitive costs and inevitable shortages in technical resource required to keep them on the road: not to mention side-stepping the huge capital investments to replace them!”

”Hire is a fixed monthly cost, and in the case of Dawsongroup includes all service, repair and maintenance – right down to the wiper blades!”

STAYING FLEXIBLE –SAVING MONEY

Paring back the core fleet and supplementing with hire equipment certainly gives an operator the flexibility and confidence to face the growing economic headwinds, knowing that, in a crisis, at least a proportion of fleet can be handed back, no questions. As we inevitably, and let’s hope quickly move into recovery and growth, those same operators will equally be able to spool up quickly, adding hire fleet to augment new demand. With less cash and borrowing facilities tied up in

fleet, this gives a further level of agility to capitalise on opportunities as they arise.

“Right now is the time to challenge any previously negative views you might have had on hire! Because forking out to buy new vehicles simply doesn’t look like the right thing to do any more. Though it sounds like heresy, the most basic truth is that operators don’t need to be involved in the potentially crippling costs of vehicle ownership anymore. What makes their revenues is purely vehicle ‘usership’, continued John Fletcher.

“At Dawsongroup truck and trailer we have spent a lot of time and experience creating our ‘Smarter Asset Strategy’. At its heart, alongside the operational understanding our experience brings us, we have a full portfolio of contract hire, leasing and rental options to meet operator needs. With either vanilla or fully liveried truck and trailers, according to customer needs and length of hire.”

It’s a persuasive argument. Especially when you add in servicing, MOT, repair, inspections and other necessary routines that Dawsongroup involvement takes out of fleet management for an operator. And should a vehicle be out of action through no fault of the operator, there’s a UK-wide network of some 23 branches ready with replacement vehicles as needed. As you would expect, after 50 years of building operator confidence in their brand and services, Dawsongroup truck and trailer intends to keep getting things right!

TODAY, STILL A FAMILY RUN BUSINESS AND WITH AN ENVIABLE TRACK RECORD OF LONG TERM STABILITY AT SENIOR MANAGEMENT LEVEL, DAWSONGROUP TRUCK AND TRAILER HAS A FLEET OF SOME 13,000 MODERN TRUCKS AND TRAILERS.

THINK CHEREAU… THINK AT&T

For over 30 years AT&T Rentals have been leading the way in the truck and trailer rental market in Northern Ireland.

Following the acquisition of Carlow based International Trailers, who were the sole distributor in the south of Ireland for Chereau trailers, AT&T are now the sole agent in Ireland for these renowned trailers.

Established in 1988 the company offers a full range of rental & leasing services from short term to contract rentals, tailored to meet every business needs.

AT&T Rentals offer to the market an impressive fleet of vehicles from a range of manufacturers for both spot hire and contract hire. This comprehensive fleet consists of trucks ranging from 7,500kg rigids to 44,000kg tractor units as well as a wide selection of trailers. All fleet are maintained to an expert standard in our on-site modern workshop. You can work with AT&T Rentals safe in the knowledge that every Truck and Trailer has benefited from a rigorous service and maintenance regime. All fleet carries a full service history ensuring the customer is supplied with the highest quality trucks and trailers on the market.

TRAILER HIRE

All AT&T’s trailers are modern, well serviced and can meet the most demanding requirements. No matter what you need AT&T have the right trailer for you.

TRACTOR UNIT HIRE

A comprehensive range of 6x2 and 4x2 units are available on a spot hire or contract basis. AT&T’s fleet is regularly refreshed and consists of top brands such as Scania, DAF, Volvo, Mercedes and MAN.

RIGID TRUCK HIRE

Sourcing trucks from the top manufacturers, AT&T Rentals supply a vast variety of rigid trucks to suit all haulage and distribution requirements. Boxvans, Curtainsiders and Refrigerated rigid trucks can all be leased on spot hire or contract hire basis.

CHEREAU

“As an established Chereau service partner for Northern Ireland we already have a strong customer base, but by becoming the exclusive distributor of the manufacturer’s range of refrigerated semi-trailers, for both the north and south of Ireland, we are able to further strengthen the brand through our own network and that inherited from International Trailers”, said Ian Todd (General Manager). Ideal for meat, dairy products, fruit and vegetables, flowers and pharmaceutical products, the Chereau refrigerated semitrailers are considered the best of the best due

to their performance, durability, robustness and low-maintenance costs. These qualities are the direct result of Chereau innovations, both in terms of body design and chassis. The Chereau single evap and twin evap refrigerated trailers enjoy a high spec, including Dura-brite alloy wheels, pallet boxes at the front and rear, a recessed chassis for increased internal height and colour coded motor covers, chassis and pallet boxes. They include a host of other innovative features such as super-insulated thick side walls and a ventilation duct system. This enables the same temperature to be maintained, to the nearest degree, throughout the entire body. This is particularly useful for very sensitive foodstuffs, and it enables more efficient use to be made of the refrigeration unit, while significantly reducing the refrigeration unit’s fuel consumption usage time and, consequently its overall maintenance. One of the company’s more recent innovations is their brand new patented electric rear opening system, Smart Open C, with pulsed opening in less than 10 seconds. It allows the doors to be promptly closed after each delivery, thereby protecting the goods carried and allowing for longer rounds, even during particularly warm weather. Whatever your need in truck or trailer, AT&T has the solution for you.

Here at AT&T, we are proud to have been appointed the official Service Partner for Chereau Refrigerated Products for Ireland.

For more than 60 years, Chereau has taken great care to produce the most efficient products on the market. The company is constantly innovating in order to offer solutions adapted to all operational needs.

AT&T Rentals are proud to offer a full range of rental & leasing services from short term to contract rentals. Each contract is tailored to meet the needs of every individual business. By choosing us, you can take advantage of the wide range of rentals that we have available. AT&T Rentals promises to meet the needs of your company with our fleet of high-quality rentals. Contact the team today to get started. We have the experience to help you choose the best fit for your business’ needs.

60 YEARS RIGHT BEHIND OUR CUSTOMERS

2024 marks the 60th anniversary since Dennison Trailers was founded by George and Jim Dennison. A lot has happened since then, but the name Dennison is still to forefront in trailer manufacturing across these isles.

These days, the company has manufacturing premises in Naas and Lancaster, employing 260 staff, and building a wide range of trailers for a diverse customer base. For many years, skeletal and platform trailers were the main product lines that the company were known for. While these products remain the core of the business, other products were added due to customer requests including Coil Carriers, Machinery Trailers and Curtainsiders. In addition, the company manufacture a range of trailers for customers on mainland Europe.

Innovating for customer needs has always been to the forefront of the business over the last 60 years and it is instilled in the company culture by founder George Dennison. George’s son David is now the innovation director for the group, and he says that growing up the spirit of innovation and new ideas was always important.

David adds “Listening to our

customers and hearing what they needed has been vital to our success. Once a new design is out in the market, we undertake a massive amount of monitoring of the trailers to see any issues that arise and modify or improve the products as we get feedback.

Our customers appreciate this

collaborative approach.”

Looking at other successful companies in OEM manufacturing, David notes that the successful ones have the same philosophy as he quotes Lord Bamford of JCB as an inspiration who says, “Innovation started this business, it is our lifeblood.”

David also collaborates closely with his cousin James, who is the group’s sales director. Over the last few years, due to customer requests they have developed a range of both ENXL and Standard curtains. James worked with David on the new award-winning splitting curtainsider which a number of specific customers requested as it would help their logistics planning. However, James emphasises that the real demand and requests were for the standard 13.6m curtainsiders. A new facility to build these has been added to the Lancaster factory and this has added extra capacity for 1500 trailers a year on a single shift. James added that a recent request was for a pillared Enxl curtain with two pillars only and he is happy that this has now been full tested and approved. In addition, the pillarless curtain has also attracted plenty of interest. We have sold a lot of curtains in Ireland, and

Late 1960’s Dennison Trailers Promotional Photo (trailer with yellow/orange wheels and tank)

- 1st Dennison trailer and refurbed truck used when the business opened in Mallusk.

these have been new customers, who knew of the quality of our platform and skeletal trailers. These customers have generally given very positive feedback.

Trade shows are very important to the company and this year, they will be exhibiting at the road transport expo in Stoneleigh and

the Multimodal in Birmingham. Several new products will be launched at these shows.

Asked what the future holds, David says that the company have made submission to both the UK and Irish Departments of Transport on the 25.25m European Modular System or Eco combi, which the company have been a leading manufacturer of, for customers in several European Countries. The advantages of the system include less Co2, better price per mile for the operator and it helps with the driver shortage.

The system is in use in the south and starting to gain traction, while the DFT in London are moving towards trials. On more day-today issues, he is seeing more divergence in standards post Brexit, where the UK is taking a more practical approach and not adding specification like TPMS, etc. He says that all trailers are not the same now and customers in the south have experienced problems buying trailers in the UK, which do not meet European standards. However, he believes this will all settle down over the next few years.

George says he is happy that the next generation are as enthusiastic about the business and products as he has been over the last 60 years. He also says some of the 3rd Generation are also showing an interest. He says it feels like yesterday that he sold the first trailer to Thomas Gallagher and that trailer is now the centre piece of the company’s vintage hall in Naas. George says the company is well set for the challenges ahead and that he keeps reminding the younger generation to keep relevant, build a quality product and stand over it (after all our name is on it).

Uncompromising reliability. Zero emissions.

Benefit from zero-emission trailer refrigeration with the first all-electric Advancer! Combining the landmark cooling capacity of Advancer with full-electric operations, the A-500e is your ideal partner in the journey towards a carbon-neutral fleet.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE FUTURE OF SUSTAINABLE REFRIGERATION ON TKADVANCER.COM

Compatible with multiple alternative power sources, such as AxlePower, EnviroDrive or the Energ—e battery pack, A-500e helps you prepare your fleet for a more sustainable future, without compromising on cooling capacity or operational performance. technicaltransportproducts.com

TRAILER

THERMO KING IS SIMPLY ELECTRIFYING

Thermo King®, a brand of Trane Technologies, is a company that believes in the power of innovation to transform industries, offers zero direct emission solutions in every segment of the Cold Chain across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. Providing transport companies with electric alternatives to traditional transport refrigeration solutions, Thermo King enables a clean, quiet, and high-performance cold chain.

In 2021, Thermo King introduced the all-electric portfolio branded evolve™ and pledged to lead the electrification and decarbonization efforts of the transport refrigeration industry by delivering fully electric products in every segment of the cold chain by 2023. This commitment has been fulfilled, and among the broad portfolio of Thermo King solutions customers can find electric refrigeration technologies for vans, trucks, trailers, and more, all available today. Among Thermo King’s latest refrigerated transport innovations for trailers are the sophisticated and electrifying solutions that together create a fullyelectric, direct emission-free refrigeration system for trailers: Thermo King AxlePower smart energy generating technology and the Advancer-e, engineless trailer refrigeration unit.

AXLEPOWER – POWERED BY THE ROAD

Available now and in serial production, Thermo King AxlePower is a fully integrated, tractor independent system that combines BPW’s ePower axle with Thermo King refrigeration unit and power management technology. The AxlePower’s smart energy generating system delivers the power needed to run the trailer refrigeration unit by converting energy recovered by the trailer’s axle during the vehicle’s routine operation. The system stores the energy generated while the vehicle is rolling or braking in a high voltage battery and reuses it to power the refrigeration unit –enabling fully electric, low or zero-emission and autonomous trailer refrigeration.

AxlePower delivers immediate and longterm sustainability benefits, it’s enginefree and compliant with all LEZ and noise legislation giving drivers and residents

a break from the noise of the city. But it’s also powerful enough for long-haul, highway journeys. The technology can be seamlessly integrated into existing fleets, with no engine alterations required and is compatible with almost any Thermo King electrically powered trailer refrigeration unit. Since late 2022, different customers in six European countries have been testing AxlePower in configurations from hybrid versions with diesel backup engines to engineless, fully electric systems. They tested AxlePower in different applications: from daily distribution of fresh products to long-haul frozen goods transport with multi-night stops.

The trials reported up to 20 consecutive weeks of electric refrigeration without the restart of the reefer’s diesel engine or connection to shore power. The system successfully transformed the TRU into autonomous self-reliant units, especially those in local distribution. On long haul routes with night stops, AxlePower enabled the TRU to operate fully in electric mode throughout the day, and for 40% to 80% of the nighttime, depending on the battery pack configuration.

The tractors’ fuel consumption reports showed that thanks to the smart power management system, AxlePower has only marginal impact on the tractor fuel consumption. The drivers also appreciated the systems straightforward On/Off button and the minimised need to connect to power grids. Reduced noise in electric mode and lower vibration also meant more comfortable and less fatiguing journeys. Finally, thanks to the embedded telematics and two-way communication with all the system’s components - the axle, the Energ-e battery pack and the TRU - fleet managers could remotely change the recuperation mode settings and integrate the data into their proprietary telematics platforms.

ADVANCER-E, THE ELECTRIC TRU

Advancer-e is a fully-electric, engineless and power agnostic representative of Thermo King’s market leading Advancer trailer refrigeration portfolio. It incorporates an engineless and electric architecture with all the features that make the Advancer the most efficient trailer refrigeration systems in the market.

Advancer-e is compatible with all major alternative power sources including a battery, shore power, AxlePower, or the Frigoblock EnviroDrive (alternator) solution. Running fully carbon-neutral, Advancer—e prepares your fleet for a more sustainable future. One Advancer-e unit can reduce a trailer fleet’s carbon footprint by up to 10 tonnes of CO2 per year.

Advancer-e is suitable for inner-city deliveries or for long-haul assignments by ensuring no direct emissions, whisper quiet operation and fewer moving parts that mean lower overall maintenance requirements and cost. The flexibility of the Advancer-e enables

transport companies to be more than a step ahead of changing lowemission legislation. Combined with the same A-Series controller and intuitive telematics, the Advancer-e delivers sustainability advantages and temperature control efficiency - top strategic priorities for many transport companies making the move toward full electrification. Thermo King’s commitment to customers extends beyond products. When choosing Thermo King, customers are not just purchasing equipment, but can benefit from a performance-enhancing system and solution portfolio including advanced connectivity and aftermarket support. The customers can feel they are never alone but have access to Thermo King’s global dealer network that provides multi-language, 24/7 support to their vehicles on the road and helps them identify best practices to drive continuous improvement towards excellence.

THE TECHNOLOGY CAN BE SEAMLESSLY INTEGRATED INTO EXISTING FLEETS, WITH NO ENGINE ALTERATIONS REQUIRED AND IS COMPATIBLE WITH ALMOST ANY THERMO KING ELECTRICALLY POWERED TRAILER REFRIGERATION UNIT.

SDC TRUCK & TRAILER PARTS: OVER TWO DECADES OF INVESTING IN OUR CUSTOMERS

SDC Truck & Trailer Parts: Over two decades Investment in Unwavering Customer Support

Delivering on their core values of quality, price, and customer service has been key as SDC Truck & Trailer Parts reflect on growth over the last two decades - from two people to a team of over 80.

Established in 2001 as a part of SDC Trailers, SDC Truck & Trailer Parts initially specialised in trailer spares. Recognising the market’s need for competitively priced truck parts, the company expanded its focus, leveraging existing connections with leading manufacturers.

This shift prompted the establishment of regional depots across Ireland, strategically positioned to minimise customer’s vehicle downtime.

Between 2012 and 2023, SDC Truck & Trailer Parts opened thirteen

new locations including Cork, New Ross, Dublin, Newbridge, Newry, Lurgan, Belfast, Omagh, Glasgow, Haydock, Warrington, Doncaster and Mansfield. Their strategic expansion is driven by a goal to have a regional depot within reach of every operator - a testament to the company’s dedication to meet the needs of their customers.

In 2018, the company established their first branch in England with the opening of a depot in Warrington, which has since been developed into a central hub for surrounding

franchise partners in Warrington, Doncaster and Haydock.

SDC Truck & Trailer Parts consistently expands its team each year while prioritising effective employee training. Structured training and career advancement opportunities have contributed to many staff members staying with the company for over 10 years. This longevity highlights the success of SDC Truck & Trailer Parts in fostering a positive and supportive work environment that values and retains its skilled workforce.

Expansion through the Years...

CUSTOMER-CENTRIC APPROACH

Gavin Diamond, Director of SDC Truck & Trailer Parts, emphasised the company’s commitment to providing the highest level of response, “Our ongoing investment in infrastructure and technology is what allows us to meet our customers parts requirements, reliably and at faster speeds than many alternatives.”

SDC Truck & Trailer Parts distinguishes itself through its unwavering commitment to

Expansion through the Years...

2001

2005

SDC Truck & Trailer Parts comprehensive product catalogue introduced.

2003

Second mobile stock van introduced to service customers across Ireland.

2012

2013

2016

SDC now part of CIMC; the world’s largest trailer manufacturing group.

2014

2017

decades of

Support

quality, competitive pricing, and exceptional customer service. The company’s promise to customers is reflected in its extensive portfolio, covering axles, suspensions, ABS, air brakes, electrical components, landing legs, body parts, and workshop consumables from the leading brands.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS AND INNOVATION

“Innovation has been a key driver for SDC Truck & Trailer Parts, and the introduction our ‘Advanced Parts Plus’ system, has been a real strength to our operations” Gavin explains, “When a customer places an order, we use a combination of technology and expertise to allocate Parts and deliver them without delay. Advanced Parts Plus provides customers with realtime visibility and control over their Parts stock, and the ability to track their spend per asset.”

The system was implemented with two clear objectives: firstly, to streamline the purchasing process for customers seeking SDC Parts, and secondly, to enhance operational efficiency for internal teams, spanning from warehouse operations to sales. By facilitating smoother workflows, it affords employees additional time

and resources to focus on upskilling and training, ensuring timely deliveries and further enhancing operations. Another key advantage is the elimination of stockouts and delivery lead times, by creating a holding stock of essential parts right at the customer’s warehouse.

FUTURE PLANS AND CONTINUED EXPANSION

Looking ahead, SDC Truck & Trailer Parts is set to strengthen its position as a leader in the commercial vehicle aftermarket. Gavin reveals

plans for continued expansion, stating “We are extremely proud and pleased with how we have been able to successfully deliver on our mission and growth strategies in recent years and we are confident that this model can be rolled out effectively across the UK with the support of our state-of-the-art IT systems.”

“The strength of our brand and products, our outstanding team, and innovation capabilities, as well as the very large addressable market, give us numerous

opportunities to grow. We are staying true to our core values, with controlled expansion supported by our depot and franchise partners, as technology continues to advance, we plan to continue making investments and developing technologies that will benefit our customers operations.”

KEY FACTS:

• 14 locations in the UK and Ireland

• 95% of all orders fulfilled on a same day service

• Parts portfolio spanning over 16,000 Truck Parts, Trailer Parts, and Garage Consumables

• Over 50 delivery vehicles on the road daily

• Free-to-use Advanced Parts Plus system

• Over 23 years industry experience

• Excellent off-the-shelf availability

• Private label DP Parts

www.sdctrailers.com/parts

2016

2019

First Branch in EnglandWarrington depot opened: 3F Langford Way, Appleton Thorn Trading Est, Warrington.

2019

2021

First Branch in EnglandWarrington depot opened: 3F Langford Way, Appleton Thorn Trading Est, Warrington.

2020

2017

2017

New Ross depot opened: Woodbine Business Park.

Omagh depot opened: 10 Gortrush Industrial Estate.

2021

2022

2022

2024

Glasgow depot opened: 5 Sandpiper Way, Bellshill, Glasgow.

SDC Truck & Trailer Parts Franchise Programme re-opens for applications.

2021

2020

DP Parts Introduced. Launch of SDC’s Franchise Programme and 1st Franchise opened in Haydock: Unit 21, Haydock Industrial Estate, Salisbury Road.

2021

2023

2024

SDC Truck & Trailer Parts Franchise Programme re-opens for applications.

2023

New ‘Advanced Parts Plus’ system introduced.

Mansfield branch opened: Mill Lane, Kirkby-in-Ashfield Nottinghamshire, NG17 9LE.

TRAILER INNOVATION TO MEET CUSTOMER NEEDS

After a challenging year due to high interest rates and a downturn in investment, the trailer market in 2024 is expected to recover to above pre-Covid levels. With ageing fleets, the cost of ownership increases, so industry operators will be looking to replace their trailers – even when considering the overstated purchases of previous years due to long delivery times and global supply chain issues.

Schmitz Cargobull is certainly looking for a positive year ahead, and Europe’s leading trailer manufacturer is better equipped than ever before to meet the needs of its customers.

At its Manchester factory, Schmitz Cargobull is building trailers specially tailored to meet the exact market demands of transport companies in the UK and Ireland.

With the dry freight box S.BO PACE and two curtainsider options, in the S.CS FIXED ROOF and the “pillarless” S.CS FREEPOST, it has its strongest ever product portfolio.

These UK-built trailers have the best of both worlds – a robust and widely-respected German chassis, combined with the best of British engineered manufacturing.

By building these trailers in Manchester, Schmitz Cargobull can provide vehicles with detailed market-specific features, the shortest delivery times, an extensive 24/7 spare parts supply, as well as its proven range of services from financing to telematics, plus used vehicle sales.

Schmitz Cargobull is also leading the way with its plans to advance the decarbonisation of freight transport with sustainable and emission-free solutions.

The best example of perfect system integration is the fully electric S.KOe COOL. Equipped

with an electric cooling unit with integrated power electronics, a voltage battery system, and an axle generator, the trailer generates no tailpipe emissions. What’s more, the electrified semi-trailer is extremely quiet, ideal for early-morning and late-evening work in urban areas.

The electrified Schmitz Cargobull trailer axle recuperates energy during processes such as braking and extends the cooling unit’s operating time or reduces the recharging times of the battery via the power grid. When used for delivery transport, fuel

savings of up to 5 per cent can be achieved in combination with a diesel-powered tractor unit.

Fully integrated into the Schmitz Cargobull telematics landscape, the system status can be monitored and controlled via the TrailerConnect telematics portal, allowing users to monitor consumption mode and battery charge status, remaining range, or remaining charging time.

The S.KOe COOL was subjected to an extensive test and inspection phase and has been ready for series production since last summer. It can be ordered ex works with type

approval. Indeed, Schmitz Cargobull is the first OEM with type approval for a fully electric refrigerated box with generator axle.

The first S.KOe COOL semi-trailers are already being successfully deployed by customers in the UK and Ireland with more expected to follow this year.

Colin Maher, Managing Director Schmitz Cargobull UK & Ireland, says: “The S.KOe COOL is the ideal solution for forward-thinking customers who are leading the charge towards a cleaner and greener transport sector.

“The beauty of the Schmitz Cargobull approach for an allelectric reefer system is that the weight of the electric components – battery, electric cooling unit and generator axle – barely impact the payload of the trailer. Compared to a conventional diesel-powered reefer with a full tank the system results in about 200kg additional weight.”

The electrically powered S.CU ep85 refrigeration unit is designed for emission-free cooling and heating of the load. It offers a cooling capacity of up to 15,800 watts and a heating capacity of 10,500 watts. The battery is fitted in place of the fuel tank, without compromising any of the space needed to add standard options between the side guards.

Look out for Clare on her travels

Spot Clare on her pilgrimage around 80 warehouses in 2024 and win a bottle of bubbly!

As part of the exciting 2024 The Year of Warehousing campaign, United Kingdom Warehousing Association (UKWA) CEO Clare Bottle will be visiting 80 warehouses throughout the UK during 2024. Her trek around the UK aims to put the sector firmly in the spotlight and to ensure the sector achieves the recognition it deserve as critical to supply chains, to the UK economy and to the achievement of UK’s net zero goals.

The 80 visits will showcase the high tech, fast-moving working environments inside UK’s warehouses and highlight the many social and economic benefits of warehousing.

warehouse’s nominated cause.

Clare’s branded car will provide a great photo opportunity for each of the 80 warehouses visited and will undoubtedly catch the attention of motorists up and down the country as she travels across the UK on her epic programme of 80 visits.

UKWA is offering a monthly prize draw for everyone who spots Clare on her travels and tells us on social media where she’s been seen with the hashtag #wheresclare?

If you haven’t yet booked Clare to visit your warehouse, you can still do so on our website, and make sure you look out for her to win a bottle of 2024 The Year of Warehousing champagne!

‘Queen of the Pit Lane’ hosts BIFA awards

Over 550 people attended the British International Freight Association’s 2023 Freight Service Awards, which took place at the Brewery in London recently.

The event, hosted by ‘Queen of the Pit Lane’ Suzi Perry, revealed nine winning companies and two winning individuals in the 11 categories of the awards, which celebrated its 35th anniversary this year.

Whilst congratulating all the companies and individuals that won each category, BIFA Director General, Steve Parker acknowledged all 29 freight forwarding companies that made the finalists shortlist in the nine service categories, as well as the 12 people who were finalists for the two individual categories.

“Once again, BIFA was delighted with the number and range of entries received and it was great to meet in person to celebrate excellence across the freight forwarding industry, with awards that are now in their 35th year, and justifiably regarded as the most prestigious in the sector, Mr Parker said, “I would also like to recognise the support and contribution of all the sponsors to the running of the competition this year. Representatives from the category sponsors gave their time to carry out judging and the selection of winners for each award.”

Clare will arrive at each site in her fabulously branded 2024 Year of Warehousing Tesla, meet with the warehouse hosts, a local dignitary and take a tour

of the facilities. UKWA is aiming to raise money for 80 regional charities over The Year of Warehousing and will match up to £80 funds raised for the host

UKWA CEO Clare Bottle.

McCULLAPIONEERS OF THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY

Partnerships between McCulla (Ireland) Ltd, one of the country’s leading transport operators, a popular supermarket chain & Northern Ireland’s largest Waste Management company, is paying huge dividends in terms of creating a more sustainable Ireland.

The company has formed a mutually beneficial relationship with Lidl NI, collecting food waste from the supermarket’s network of stores, and using this to produce their own biomethane, which ultimately is processed by the transport company’s own energy division, to power the majority of their NI based trucks.

These trucks are then used to transport fresh food back into supermarkets across the country, completing what is known as

the ‘Circular Economy’. This partnership is the first of its kind between an UK/ Irish retailer and a logistics company.

Operations Director Brian Beattie explains that the visionary for this entire project was Ashley McCulla, owner and Chairman of the company.

“Nine years ago, Ashley had a vision to build an Anaerobic Digester, with the ultimate aim of producing fuel we could use in our lorries,” said Brian, who points

out that an anaerobic digester was not a new technology, but using one for this specific purpose was innovative.

From that starting point almost 10 years ago, McCulla now has its own energy division, called Alternity Biogas Energy Limited (ABEL) in Lisburn. This includes an anaerobic digestion and biomethane upgrading plant, which enables the company to produce its own energy, including electricity and Bio-CNG (HGV fuel).

CIRCULAR ECONOMY

“This ‘circular economy’ can be summed up by our relationships with Lidl & River Ridge. We take the food waste from Lidls 42 shops in Northern Ireland and bring it to our plant in Lisburn,” where we convert to bio methane gas explains Brian.

McCulla also work in partnership with River Ridge who collect food waste from across the north of Ireland from hospitals, hotels, restaurants, school canteens etc. River Ridge then use the BioCNG in their gas-powered Food Waste trucks. The ABEL site can produce raw biogas, in the region of 450-600 m3/hr. This volume of biogas is being processed to biomethane with the biomethane content between 60-65% in the biogas.

This is enough to run 31 McCulla Bio-CNG (compressed natural gas) powered trucks, some off which in turn work to deliver goods from Lidl RDC to stores across the NI.

WASTE INTO ENERGY

By using food waste as its feedstock to produce biomethane for fuel in the company’s fleet of gas-powered trucks, McCulla has become the UK and Ireland’s first transport company to turn waste into energy for its own use.

After the process to produce the biomethane is finished, a liquid digest is what remains. This liquid digest, which is certified PAS 110, can be used as a biofertilizer, by Lidl growers on their land to feed their crops. “This completes the circle,” says Brian.

Going further, McCulla’s plant also has de-pack and shredding machinery, which separate the food from its packaging, and McCulla is working to recycle this material as well. Some of this packaging goes to River Ridge, who are also a strategic partner with McCulla in this sustainable journey.

Although the ABEL plant has been in existence

since 2017, initially the feedstock was a mixture of slurry, agricultural residues and grass silage from McCulla’s own family farm. As one of Ireland’s largest food transportation companies, the transition from agricultural product to food waste was a logical step in the process with McCulla’s connections in the food industry.

This transition began in 2021. When the plant began to produce compressed bio methane for the trucks , when McCulla took delivery of its first Iveco SWAY NP trucks.

Although not all McCulla’s fleet uses this natural and renewable power (McCulla have a total fleet of 115 lorries), the company aims to increase its percentage of Bio methane powered gas trucks and reduce its diesel powered fleet and so eradicate reliance on fossil fuels as soon as it is feasible to do so.

THE ABEL SITE CAN PRODUCE RAW BIOGAS, IN THE REGION OF 450-600 M3/HR. THIS VOLUME OF BIOGAS IS BEING PROCESSED TO BIOMETHANE WITH THE BIOMETHANE CONTENT BETWEEN 60-65% IN THE BIOGAS.

RiverRidge is proud to partner with McCulla Ireland, and would like to extend our congratulations to the company on its ESG and green credentials success.

LESS CARBON

Trucks operating on biomethane gas emit significantly less carbon emissions than diesel trucks. The difference between a biomethane truck and a diesel truck in terms of environmental footprint is that McCulla can send at least nine trucks from Belfast to Dublin on biomethane and generate less carbon footprint than one diesel truck.

Not only are the CNG Iveco trucks that McCulla use cleaner, they also have a number of other advantages over traditional diesel vehicles. They run 30-40% quieter and refuelling is a very clean and straightforward process, taking in the region of 10 minutes to refill with gas.

Brian tells us that the gas-powered trucks have a shorter range than diesel powered vehicles – in the region of 230-270 miles, to overcome this McCulla has invested in fitting its 6x2 Iveco SWAYS with high tech carbon fibre gas tanks from Hexagon agility which give the trucks additional range so that they can reach well into Southern Ireland and return to Lisburn on a SINGLE gas fill “We double-shift these vehicles – one driver does a day shift in them, returning to Lisburn to refuel and then the truck goes out again on the night shift with a new driver. These lorries are perfect for the night-time trunking from McCulla’s Lisburn depot to the McCulla Dublin depot

at Ballymount at Junction 10 of the M50.”

There is no doubt that McCulla is passionate about the transport and logistics industry becoming more socially responsible and is aware of its environmental impact. This is why the company set out its longterm strategy to make environmental protection a core part of the business. This strategy comes at a significant cost to the business, explains Brian, which he said underlines McCulla’s total commitment in moving towards net zero. “It cost £7 million to build the plant, and purchasing the Iveco CNG trucks came at a cost too – they are about 30% more expensive than similar diesel-powered trucks.”

New zero emission system powers McCulla fridge units

McCulla Ireland has taken the next step in its low carbon journey with a new zero emissions Ecogen system.

McCulla began trialling Swedish company Hultsteins’ Ecogen2 unit over 12 months ago with a supermarket customer.

The Ecogen onboard power generator is fitted to the tractor unit and effectively transforms the existing diesel-powered refrigeration units (TRUs) to run on electricity during transit.

The company’s extensive efforts to slash CO2 brought conventional diesel-powered refrigeration units into sharp focus.

“We’re doing all this fantastic work on the front end of the CNG trucks, which have 93% lower emissions than a diesel equivalent,” explains operations director, Brian Beattie, “but we’re hauling this 45-foot truck about with a fridge powered by a diesel internal combustion engine.”

Ecogen can be retrofitted to any tractor unit with an engine power take-off. It generates 400 volts, and easily connects to the TRU fridge motor via a five-pin plug.

In addition to adapting TRUs to emissionfree power, Hultsteins’ Ecogen system

represents a highly cost-effective method for operators to switch to clean and sustainable transport refrigeration.

Hultsteins, a Swedish manufacture of hydraulic drive fridge & electric generators, point out that there is no need to replace an existing trailer’s TRU, and by simply fitting an Ecogen to the tractor, every fridge it couples to will be transformed to electric operation.

“We’re now able to provide our customer with an extremely low-carbon CNG vehicle and fridge trailer with zero emissions, because it’s powered by the compressor on the truck,” adds Brian. While the Ecogen units can be applied to both diesel and CNG tractor units alike, their ability to square the green circle renders them a perfect fit for McCulla’s gas vehicles, which can catch the eye of large, environmentally conscious customers.

“The best application for us is on our gaspowered trucks, because what we’re offering to customers is a very low-carbon solution,” explains Brian, “it’s appealing to early adopters – those keen on environmental, social and governance policies – and you’re talking to a welcome audience that wants to reduce carbon. We find this is often driven by the larger corporates and multinationals.

SO WHAT MOTIVATES McCULLA TO DO THIS?

With over 40% of costs coming from electricity and diesel, and with both fluctuating wildly from year-to-year McCulla recognises that anything it can to do optimise fuel economy and energy consumption ultimately reduces environmental impact and saves money.

“You could say there are three reasons McCulla are doing what they are doing: 1) To save the planet; 2) for ethical and moral reasons; and 3) to ultimately return a profit for our shareholders,” says Brian. “We are also offering customers in Ireland a solution to reduce their carbon footprint (by using the Bio-CNG trucks). These vehicles have 93% lower carbon emissions than traditional diesel vehicles.”

BENEFITS

The benefits of this environmental conscious approach do not end with home produced biomethane powered trucks for McCulla. The company was one of the first in the UK and Ireland to operate a carbon neutral cold

store, with McCulla being able to generate its own electricity, making the organisation completely self-sufficient in powering its offices and cold stores. The cold stores can hold 6,000 pallets of frozen food, so they are a large and constant consumer of electricity. In addition to the creation of biomethane and electric power, the cooling of the plant’s engines creates heat and this heat is put back into the process to keep the digesters warm.

“Our company cars are all electric vehicles, we use LED lighting throughout our Lisburn headquarters, we have solar panels to generate electricity and we harvest rainwater all in an effort to make our operation as sustainable as possible. Ultimately, we want to replicate what we are doing here in Lisburn at another location,” says Brian who added that none of what they have done to date would have been possible without working in partnership with other organisations. McCulla has always sought to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with its customers and suppliers and this project has

been the ultimate display of this in practice. In addition to working with Lidl and River Ridge, Brian also said they have worked closely with NI Trucks – who sent engineers off to get trained to be able to service the CNG vehicles and Swedish firm Hulsteins, who have developed an Ecogen onboard power generator. This generator is fitted to the tractor unit effectively transforms the existing dieselpowered refrigeration units on the trailers to run on electricity during transit, further reducing the CO2 produced by McCulla’s fleet while in transit. Clearly, McCulla is determined to continue on the road to protecting the environment and reducing emissions, by working hard to ensure everything they do is more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

www.mcculla.co.uk

Driving heavy, Thinking green decarbonize your long-haul HGV fleet with today’s scalable and economical Bio-CNG

Make the switch

Up to 1,600 kilometers range when equipped with ProCab 1800 L and Dual ProRail 400 L

Established Bio-CNG station network

Global leader in Bio-CNG solutions with 70,000+ vehicles on the road

Scalable solutions tailored for HGV operational requirements

Taking trucking below zero, Bio-CNG delivers significant emission reductions

Make the switch, contact Alana Tetdoeva at alana.tetdoeva@hexagonagility.com | + 49 151 58047290

hexagonagility.com

McCulla signs major tech deal with Microlise

McCulla is the technology giant’s largest contract in Ireland to date.

McCulla, one of Ireland’s premier logistics companies, has announced a brand new partnership with Microlise Group, a leading global provider of innovative technology solutions.

McCulla has selected the Group’s comprehensive suite of software solutions to optimise its fleet operations, with an expected go-live date in January 2024.

A trusted name in the logistics industry, McCulla will be implementing Microlise’s cutting-edge solutions to improve the overall performance of its extensive fleet. Through an agreement that encompasses a wide range of Microlise products, the refrigerated transport expert will be using Fleet Performance, Journey Management, SmartPOD, TruAnalysis, and

will be accessible via Microlise’s platform, providing real-time insights and ensuring the safe transport of temperature-sensitive cargo.

McCulla’s decision to appoint Microlise as its fleet management partner stems from the company’s need for top-tier customer service and true collaboration. It was also looking for a partner with a strong presence in the UK and Ireland to support its fleet of 110 HGVs which

grid. This initiative significantly reduces landfill waste to just 3-5%, highlighting McCulla’s eco-friendly logistics efforts.

Speaking on the announcement, Ian Kirkwood, Microlise Group’s Head of New Business, said: “We are excited to partner with McCulla, a company renowned for its commitment to excellence in logistics. Our comprehensive solutions will empower McCulla to streamline its operations, at the same time enhancing its service quality and ensuring both safety and compliance.”

Brian Beattie, McCulla’s Operations Director, added: “After identifying at Senior Management level the need to further develop the technology solution to run our ever expanding fleet and keep us at the leading edge of innovation, Microlise were soon identified as the ideal company to partner with. “We have been very impressed with the Group’s onboarding process and the level of training and customer care we’ve received

REGIONAL RECOGNITION AWARD FOR JOEL

Joel Eakin, Marketing Executive for Eakin Bros Ltd, has won the Regional Recognition Award at the Isuzu UK Dealer Conference and Awards 2024 in Glasgow.

The prestigious award was given to Joel because of his unwavering commitment to the Isuzu UK brand, producing excellent marketing material and playing a pivotal role in organising multiple successful events for Eakin Bros Ltd.

As Isuzu UK celebrated its most successful year since the launch of the D-Max, it was time to celebrate the biggest achievers at the Dealer Awards. Joel Eakin is a leading example of how Isuzu UK has been able to push to new heights with a shrewd perspective to digital marketing and events, which has helped Eakin Bros Ltd and Isuzu UK to success in 2023. Rejoicing in his recent award win, Joel Eakin stated: “It has been a great year for us at Eakin Bros Ltd and to receive this recognition award is an absolute honour. It would have not been possible

to win this award if it wasn’t for the amazing work that the team do across all areas of this historic dealership, which has allowed me to organise successful events and raise awareness of the incredible work we do for our customers.”

The exemplary standard of marketing from Joel Eakin has not gone unnoticed, with Eakin Bros LTD receiving Marketing & Social Media Dealer of the Year at the 2021 Isuzu Dealer Conference and Awards.

Regional Sales Manager for Isuzu UK, Alan Coyle, said: “It is totally to Joel’s credit that he has been presented with this award. His continued focus on the Isuzu brand is greatly appreciated and this award highlights this sentiment.”

Eakin Bros Ltd have demonstrated its expertise in the automotive industry, having celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2023. It is also a longstanding partner of Isuzu UK, being part of the PickUp Professionals since 2003. The proud heritage of the dealership is underpinned by their reputation as one of Northern Ireland’s most trusted dealers, consistently working with customers to offer the best service possible.

Out on the road, Izuzu’s D-Max pick-up is leading the charge. Equipped with a punchy turbo diesel engine delivering 164PS and 360Nm of torque each new model comes with a 125,000 mile/5year warranty and 5 years UK and European roadside assistance. With towing capabilities of 3.5 tonnes, a maximum payload of 1,205kg and a 4x4 drive, the Isuzu D-Max works for customers day and night achieving up to 39.4mpg, meeting Euro 6D emissions standards.

Neil Scot, National Sales Manager, Isuzu UK with Joel Eakin receiving his regional recognition award from TV sports presenter Edith Barbour.

WELCOME TO OUR ANNUAL COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO SHIPPING

There has never been more options when it comes to shipping freight across the Irish Sea, and further afield.

With new routes, and new vessels being brought into service all the time, there are numerous options for transporting your goods. And with several operators covering these routes, deciding what company, and what service, to use has never been more important. And as the drive to reduce emissions across all industries continues, shipping is not going to be left behind as some companies are starting to use ethanol as a sustainable fuel to power their vessels and enhance their green credentials. The introduction of new vessels across the various companies also allow freight to be carried more efficiently.

In this Shipping Feature, we will provide information about some of the developments in the domestic shipping market, and also feature the shipping tables which give you a complete guide to all the ships and services currently in service.

ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF services

ROLL-ON/ROLL-OFF services

LARNE PORT – THE GATEWAY TO GREAT BRITAIN

Larne Port continues to be the gateway of choice for many passengers and freight companies transporting goods between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

Located just 30 minutes from Belfast, and just two and a half hours from Dublin the Port handles in the region of a quarter of a million commercial vehicles each year

The Port’s most regularly visiting ships are P&Os two powerful, and reliable RoPax ferries – the European Highlander, and the European Causeway - which operate across the North Channel every day of the week. And with the Larne to Cairnryan route being the shortest crossing to GB, at just two hours, it is obvious why Larne continues to be popular with both freight and passengers alike. The combination of the shortest crossing, and fast loading and discharge from these ‘drive through’ ships, lorry drivers

spend less time onboard getting themselves and their freight back on the road quicker.

By offering great value, convenient online booking and a great selection of sailing times it’s not hard to see why P&O maintain this vital trade route between Northern Ireland and Great Britain

“We generally have six ferry arrivals and departures per day, which rises to seven crossings per day in the summer months,“ explained Harbour Master Larne and Cairnryan Stuart Wilson.

The two P&O RoPax Ferries cater for both passengers and freight with the capacity to carry up to 440 passengers per sailing in addition to significant volumes of freight traffic.”

Currently, these vessels carry around 15 per cent of the goods coming in and out of Northern Ireland, including vital medicines and fresh food.

With approximately 40 acres of extensive trailer vehicle parking, a trained workforce and a fleet of modern tugmasters, the port is fully equipped to handle unaccompanied traffic as well as driver accompanied vehicles. Fast, efficient check-in facilities and modern freight driver facilities make Larne Port a popular choice with hauliers and drivers.

Having deep water, a range of quays and generous land available, the port can also cater for other vessels. “In the past year, there has been a growing interest from the renewables industry,

Whatever the project, we can handle it!

specifically wind farms, and we have handled a number of vessels with cargoes associated with this sector,” continued Harbour Master Mr Wilson.

The port is fast becoming an important hub for the import of wind farm components and also for ships undertaking maintenance in the many off-shore wind farms in the Irish Sea.”

• Vessels up to 185m and a draft of 7.1m

• 4 Berths, capable of handling cargo

• All berths within a secure ISPS area

• Jacking up alongside permissible

• Quay loading up to 18 tonnes/sq m

• 20 acres of storage available on hard standing

• Warehousing and workshop on site

• Dual carriageway right to port entrance

• Wide load access

BELFAST HARBOUR SUPPORTS CATAGEN APPLICATION TO CLEAN MARITIME DEMONSTRATOR COMPETITION

Belfast Harbour’s commitment to building a sustainable, clean, green port is a major factor behind their decision to become one of the partners supporting a project to explore the potential for bringing clean fuel production technology to the ports sector.

CATAGEN, a global leader in design and manufacturing of net zero technologies, have been successful in a consortium application to the Clean Maritime Demonstrator Competition (CMDC), with support from Belfast Harbour.

The techno-economic feasibility study of ClimaHtech Innovative Clean Maritime Solutions is part of the Clean Maritime Demonstration Competition round 4 (CMDC4), funded by the UK Department for Transport and delivered by Innovate UK. CMDC4 is part of the department’s UK Shipping Office for Reducing Emissions (UK SHORE) programme, a £206m initiative focused on developing the technology necessary to decarbonise the UK domestic maritime sector.

The project will be led by CATAGEN with support from diverse partners, including Belfast Harbour, The European Marine Energy Centre (EMEC), Orkney Islands Council and Highland Fuels Limited.

CATAGEN CEO and co-founder, Dr Andrew Woods, said “The UK maritime industry presents a significant decarbonisation challenge and CATAGEN are proud to lead this project to explore pathways to reduce carbon emissions for this hard to abate industry using our ClimaHtech E-FUEL GEN technology.

“With key knowledge and resources of our esteemed project partners, Belfast Harbour, EMEC, Highlands Fuels, and Orkney Islands Council, this project aims to provide viable solutions for maritime decarbonisation and energy security that are replicable across the industry on a national and global scale.

“In addition to the decarbonisation opportunities, the project also brings economic and social benefit to the UK through creating new employment opportunities, unlocking export potential, and enhancing IP knowledge-based business.

The project consists of a techno-economic feasibility study exploring the opportunity of bringing novel clean fuel production technology to market, which has the potential

to deliver significant decarbonisation to the UK’s maritime activities. More specifically, the feasibility study aims to determine the commercial viability of using CATAGEN’s E-FUEL GEN technology to produce e-diesel and E-Fuels for the maritime sector in marine vessels and to supply port-side equipment. Orkney and Belfast are test locations for investigating the implementation, the production and distribution of clean fuel as both locations have access to significant renewable resources and cover a diverse range of vessel related activities, ensuring that the outcomes of the feasibility study are replicable across the UK.

Jacqueline Walls from Belfast Harbour said: “Belfast Harbour’s commitment to building a truly sustainable, clean, Green Port is core to our Trust Port purpose, so we are delighted to be part of this significant project to explore the potential for bringing clean fuel production technology to the ports sector.

“We look forward to working alongside locally

based decarbonisation experts CATAGEN and the other project partners to test the viability of e-diesel and E-Fuel production and distribution systems which, if successful, could be rolled out to other ports and make a major contribution to reducing the carbon impact of maritime activities across the UK.”

The project’s core methodology involves harnessing a wealth of data, including local renewable energy generation potential, fuel demand profiles, and fuel infrastructure insights provided by project partners. Through meticulous analysis, the consortium seeks to determine the efficacy of CATAGEN’s ClimaHtech technology in expediting the reduction of carbon emissions in maritime operations of Belfast and Orkney partner ports, establishing a replicable model for adoption across various harbours and ports in the UK. The project is estimated to cost £645,000 with a collective grant of £482,000 and is proposed to begin in April 2024 for 12 months.

Joe O’Neill CEO, Belfast Harbour and Dr Andrew Woods CEO and Co-Founder, CATAGEN.

A huge thank you to all our customers and port users for their continued support in 2023: a record year for RoRo freight through the Port.

belfast-harbour.co.uk

MOTIS - BUSY INVESTING IN THE FUTURE

2023 was a busy year for the Motis group looking to grow it’s core business as one of Europe’s top Freight ferry provider by focusing on a number of key areas to achieve this.

Firstly, an expansion of their Geographic coverage with extra resources in Slovakia, Hungary and Morocco in addition to investment in key existing Markets (UK, Ireland, Romania, Lithuania, Poland and the Czech Republic) which strengthened the ferry provider’s presence in all major European trading areas.

Secondly, Motis has a strong vision to increase the value it provides to help gain new customers and secure the longterm working relationships with loyal and existing partners.

Motis understands that a ferry booking is only a component of the complete journey their customers take, and so they have invested in many areas that provide customers not only with a ferry booking, but with a package that allows the seamless, free flowing

transition across borders, such areas of added value include:-

Investment in IT creating API links to reduce (remove) manual input when making ferry bookings.

Increase customs clearance support with the acquisition of Dover Clearance Services in October 2023. By merging DCS with Motis Freeflow, it has increased capacity and provides greater efficiencies to the Customs clearance process allowing further simplifications and cost reductions.

Preparation for changes to the UK entry/exit requirements, investment in IT to automate the new/existing Safety and Security requirements that are mandatory for Transporters to complete when entering to / from the EU to the UK.

Increased Secure Parking Capacity in the UK, both with

their own sites (Port of Dover 400 Places) and Cheriton Park (Folkestone) with 160 Places. Developed a 3rd Party Secure Parking place application to allow access to exclusive sites in key geographic areas – MPARK.

Development of the UK Cargo distribution network with a Platform at the Motis 24/7 site in the Port of Dover to support customer requirements for Groupage distribution.

Expansion of the Motorway Networks that their Toll payment systems cover (Expected 17 Countries on single box by the end of 2024).

All of the above services are immediately available to the Motis client base, both present and future.

The goal is to strengthen existing relationships to fully understand how customer’s businesses work so they can identify how they can benefit them both operationally and financially.

The Motis goal for 2024 is to continue on the path to add further value to customers and exceed the expectations they have of Motis, and the first few months of 2024 have put strong foundations down for the company to achieve this.

To see how becoming a customer of Motis can benefit your business (both existing and new customers!), please contact us on sales@motis.com

Port Investment could generate Billions for Irish Economy

Investing in Irish ports can help reduce emissions, foster job creation, and drive down electricity costs for consumers, an Irish member of the European Parliament has stated.

Fine Gael’s Colm Markey, MidlandsNorth-West MEP, added that billions could be generated for the Irish economy through the development of offshore wind facilities.

MEP Markey has welcomed the European Parliament’s recent call for a comprehensive European port strategy. The report on building a comprehensive European port strategy was passed by a large majority of MEPs in Strasbourg.

It urges the European Commission to address the need for fast-track permitting of port expansions in the context of the energy transition.

“Unlocking the full potential of the offshore wind sector in Ireland requires significant investment in our ports. Ports not only facilitate the construction of offshore wind farms but also function as operational and maintenance hubs, said Mr Markey.

“Getting offshore wind developments off the ground will lead to reduced emissions, the generation of thousands

of jobs, financial benefits from exporting excess energy, and ultimately, a drop in cost of electricity for Irish consumers.”

The MEP warned that Ireland may fall short of achieving a goal of 5GW of offshore wind energy projects by 2030, unless key challenges are addressed.

“Ambitious plans to provide 80% of electricity from renewables by 2030 may end in failure if we don’t overcome a number of hurdles. It is imperative that we address complex regulatory and planning procedures, redevelop the national grid and invest in our ports,” he continued.

MEP Markey also welcomed the recent deal to include energy ports in the transEuropean transport network policy (TEN-T).

“I welcome agreement between the Parliament and Council, recognising the role ports can play in the energy transition. Up until now, a port’s position in the TEN-T network was only assessed on the basis of tonnage. With Galway Port now included in the TEN-T network, there’s

no reason why other ports can’t follow suit and access crucial EU funding.” Markey concluded.

Vital importance of ports

Also backing calls for an EU Port Strategy is fellow MEP for Ireland South, Sean Kelly. Mr Kelly stresses the vital importance of ports in shaping the economic landscape, energy transition, and trade dynamics in Europe.

“Ports are the hugely important for economic development, job creation, and trade. It is crucial for Europe, and Ireland in particular, to ensure that our ports are not only competitive but strategically developed to meet the demands of the future,” commented Mr Kelly.

“Ireland, through ports like Shannon Foynes, Bantry, Cork and Rosslare and can take a lead in ensuring our maritime infrastructure remains secure and resilient.”

“Take Shannon Foynes port for example, it is hugely important for Ireland’s renewable energy future as we see offshore wind projects take off in the south west of the country,” asserts Kelly. “The development of offshore wind in the Shannon Estuary will be fundamental to Ireland’s net-zero commitments and contributes significantly to Europe’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports.”

Kelly sees this as an opportunity for a new industrial ecosystem based on green electricity and hydrogen production. “This isn’t just about energy; it’s about creating jobs, investing in infrastructure, and positioning Ireland as a key player in the renewable energy market.”

Stena Line signs major deal to operate at Heysham Port until the year 2100

Leading ferry and port operator, Stena Line has signed a significant deal with Peel Ports Group, a major UK port operator, to operate from Heysham Port for the next 77-years (until 2100).

The Swedish ferry company runs a twice daily freight service from Belfast-Heysham providing a vital trade corridor between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

This agreement demonstrates the strong working partnership between the two organisations and seeks to further strengthen their long-term relationship. The news comes on the back of Stena Line’s recent announcement of a new freight service between Dublin and Peel Ports’ 12 Quays Terminal in Birkenhead. Earlier this year, Stena Line and Peel Ports signed a similar agreement for the 12 Quays Terminal to operate from the Port until the end of the century.

This year, Stena Line announced it is making a multi-million-pound investment in the Belfast-Heysham route with two new-build stateof-the-art ‘NewMax’ ferries, which will boost freight capacity by 80%. With the first vessel due to begin on the route in 2025, these hybrid ferries will be equipped to

operate on methanol fuel marking a key milestone in Stena Line’s roadmap to sustainable shipping.

Peel Ports, working collaboratively with Stena Line, plans to invest in new terminal management and a ‘smart gate’ automatic checkin system to improve customer experience at the port, and will increase the parking for trailers to accommodate the additional capacity of the new vessels.

Niclas Martensson, CEO of

Stena Line says, “Our business on our Belfast-Heysham route has thrived in recent years and is a vital connection for freight transport across the Irish Sea.

With the upcoming introduction of our NewMax hybrid ships, this route represents a unique opportunity for Stena Line to offer our freight customers more sustainable transport between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK and will be a key milestone

in our sustainability journey.”

David Huck, Chief Operating Officer at Peel Ports Group says, “We have been collaborating successfully with Stena Line for many years and it’s fantastic to establish another longterm agreement with the business.”

“This deal reaffirms our promise to continue developing and maintaining services across the Irish sea, while also showcasing our ongoing investment into our Heysham operation. We’re confident the route will continue to prove hugely successful for many decades to come.”

Stena Line is the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, with the biggest fleet providing up to 238 weekly sailings offering the widest choice of routes including: combined passenger and freight services from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, Rosslare to Fishguard, Rosslare to Cherbourg, in addition to the dedicated freight only route from Belfast to Heysham and the new Dublin – Birkenhead which is due to start in February.

Carl-Johan Hellner, Chief Operating Officer Ports & Terminals, Stena Line and David Huck, Chief Operating Officer at Peel Ports Group

THE RIGHT CUSTOMS AGENTS FOR YOUR GOODS

Whether you are a multi-national corporation, or a local business you may well benefit from the services of a Customs Agent, or Freight Forwarder to transport your goods across land and sea borders.

These very specific, and professional organisations offer custom clearance services helping you and your business navigate the complexities of maritime customs procedures. Whatever your freight, you need the reassurance that your goods will be

able to move without issue across borders, avoiding delays, unnecessary costs and compliance pitfalls.

This is a very specific industry, and the companies that offer this service are dedicated to ensuring your goods get to

their destination as promised, allowing you to meet your delivery commitments and move onto the next job safe in the knowledge that your Customs Agent has all the paperwork in order, and that all the necessary checks have been met and passed. In this feature, we will put the spotlight on a few of these businesses, highlighting the services they offer, not just helping with customs but other ancillary services you may not have realized they also offer.

CLARKSONS PORT SERVICES CONTINUES TO INVEST IN ITS CUSTOMS CLEARANCE DIVISION TO MEET INCREASING DEMAND

Clarksons Port Services (CPS) customs hub continues its investment drive to meet increasing client needs as the landscape of import and export movements continues to evolve due to ever changing customs regulations.

For businesses moving goods in or out of GB, Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the EU and the rest of the world, CPS guides the client step by step through the process advising at each point of any changes due to Brexit and the implementation of the NI Protocol, and more recently the Windsor Framework. Graham Cross, Business Development Manager for Customs & Freight at Clarksons Port Services said: “Many businesses come to us as they don’t quite know where customs sits within their business, the responsibility often falls to the finance teams, so our expertise puts us in the best position to support businesses through the processes which apply to them.”

“Every member of the CPS team offers in-depth knowledge and is continually updating our customers on any changes of worldwide rules and regulations. Whether you are a large multinational company, a small business or an individual, a customs declaration is required for all

goods imported into the UK customs territory across international borders.

“CPS offers a truly stress-free service whatever a business’s requirements are. None of our customers must worry about whether they are doing something correctly or following every process because we take care of it all.”

Graham added that CPS are now offering a consultancy service to allow both existing and potential clients the opportunity to check that they are compliant and paying the correct

levels of duty. Graham is based on the Humber, which is the UK’s largest trading estuary and the gateway to our EU partners, and we are delighted that our customs expertise is assisting so many of our Humber based clients and reducing their costs in many cases.

Clarksons Port Services (CPS) is dedicated to supporting marine and port operations and is a trusted partner, with over 50 years’ experience and a proven record. We provide a 24/7/365 integrated service from our 23 office locations around the UK, Ireland & the Netherlands. Clarksons Port Services deliver solutions for Port Agency, Freight Forwarding, Project Logistics, Offshore Supply, Voyage Agency Services, Crew Change, Bunkering, Warehousing & Storage, Customs Clearance, Tooling & Supplies and Safety & Survival. For more information on customs clearance and for a free consultation, visit the CPS website Clarksons.com call +44 (0) 07435 946179 or email graham.cross@clarksons.com

Doyle Shipping Group (DSG) stands as a shining example of excellence in the realm of customs services, facilitating seamless cross-border trade and bolstering international commerce dynamics. In an era where the efficient flow of goods is pivotal for economic prosperity, DSG emerges as a trusted partner renowned for its unwavering commitment to providing comprehensive customs solutions tailored to meet the diverse needs of its clients.

At the heart of DSG’s operations lies a deep understanding of the importance of efficient customs clearance in facilitating smooth import and export operations for businesses worldwide. With dedicated clearance specialists stationed strategically across regional offices, DSG prides itself on offering a hasslefree process for managing consignments and navigating clients through the intricacies of the customs Automated Export Processing (AEP) system.

Central to DSG’s ethos is its unwavering dedication to ensuring compliance with ever-evolving regulatory frameworks. Armed with a team of seasoned experts well-versed in international trade regulations, the group remains at the forefront of regulatory changes, providing invaluable insights and

guidance to clients seeking to navigate the complex customs landscape seamlessly including:

- Brexit Support

- ENS (Safety & Security) declarations

- PBNs (Pre-Boarding Notifications)

- GMRs (Goods Movement Reference)

- Traces (CHED-P/VED Veterinary Health Certificates)

- T2L (Proof of InterEU import/export)

- NCTS (T1 Transit)

Moreover, DSG’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology underscores its dedication to efficiency and innovation. Through state-ofthe-art customs management systems, DSG empowers its clients with real-time visibility into their

cargo movements, facilitating timely decision-making and enhancing supply chain resilience. Beyond compliance and efficiency, DSG places a premium on security in an era marked by heightened geopolitical tensions and evolving security threats. By implementing robust security protocols and drawing on its vast experience, the group ensures the integrity of supply chains while mitigating potential risks effectively.

Furthermore, DSG’s unwavering focus on customer satisfaction sets it apart as a market leader in customs services. With a clientcentric approach underpinning its operations, the group strives to understand the unique needs and challenges faced by its clients, offering tailored solutions that drive value and

foster long-term partnerships. The significance of efficient customs services extends far beyond the realm of trade facilitation; it serves as a catalyst for economic growth, driving competitiveness and fostering prosperity on a global scale. In this regard, DSG emerges as a pivotal player, championing the cause of seamless cross-border trade through its exemplary customs services.

As the global economy continues to evolve, the role of customs services in facilitating trade cannot be overstated. In this context, DSG’s steadfast commitment to excellence serves as a testament to its enduring legacy as a trusted partner in global trade dynamics.

Doyle Shipping Group’s customs services epitomise the pinnacle of excellence, combining regulatory expertise, technological innovation, and unwavering commitment to customer satisfaction. As businesses navigate the complexities of international trade, DSG remains a beacon of reliability and trust, underpinning its status as a leading provider of customs solutions in the global marketplace.

Construction begins on Stena Line’s hybrid ferries for Heysham to Belfast route

Stena Line have marked a milestone on its journey towards sustainable shipping with the Steel Cutting ceremony for the first of  its ‘NewMax’ hybrid ferries as construction begins in Weihai, China.

Last year, Stena Line announced that two new hybrid freight ferries had been ordered from Stena RoRo destined for the Heysham to Belfast route, with the first due to enter service in autumn 2025.

The ‘NewMax’ vessels are of a unique design with the most efficient hull form to maximise freight volumes and their addition to the route will boost freight capacity by 80% compared to current ship capacity.

The new hybrid ships will play a key role in Stena Line’s journey to sustainable fuel as they will both be able to operate on methanol fuel. Stena Line is currently working closely with the supply chain of methanol and has secured future volumes of e-methanol to fulfil its strategic ambition of shifting to renewable fuels.

As part of the new agreement, Stena Line and Peel Ports will aim to secure the shore infrastructure to provide additional electrical capacity to facilitate the future goal of powering the new ships by shore power. The new vessels will have in-built technologies that can take advantage of both battery propulsion and shore power. The ships will be futureproofed

with a progressive propulsion that ultimately will allow the vessels to be decarbonised.

Paul Grant, Trade Director Irish Sea, Stena Line said: “We’re excited to announce that the steel cutting has taken place for our state-of-the-art ‘NewMax’ ships for our Heysham to Belfast route - a landmark moment for the service. An important trading corridor across the Irish Sea, we have seen significant growth in the service in recent years and the extra boost in capacity that

the ships will provide will help us to meet customer demand.

“The capabilities of these new hybrid ships to operate on alternative fuel will also be instrumental in reaching Stena Line’s ambitious sustainability targets and achieving our goal of establishing future-proofed fossil free shipping corridors.”

Phil Hall, Mersey Port Director at Peel Ports Group, said: “We have worked in partnership

Stena Line to Launch New Dublin to Birkenhead Service

Stena Line has confirmed plans to launch a new freight service between Dublin and Birkenhead (Liverpool) starting mid-February 2024.

The new service will initially operate with one ship departing Dublin early in the morning and making the return journey from Birkenhead in the evening.

Stena Line already operates from Dublin Port and Birkenhead, and this new service will complement the existing routes from Dublin to Holyhead and Belfast to Liverpool. The company is currently assessing ship deployment options for the service.

Paul Grant, Trade Director (Irish Sea), Stena Line said: “The launch of our new freight service between Dublin and Birkenhead secures an important trade route on the UK/ Ireland corridor and further strengthens our position on the Irish Sea. Stena Line will now operate two routes out of both Dublin Port and Birkenhead establishing key logistics hubs,

connecting freight flows across the Irish Sea and creating efficiencies for port users.”

Barry O’Connell, CEO, Dublin Port Company, said: “It’s essential for Ireland’s economy that we have strong availability and competition on direct shipping routes between Dublin Port and the UK. We are pleased to welcome Stena Line’s new Dublin-Birkenhead route which brings choice to the market.”

This will be Stena Line’s seventh route in the Irish Sea region in addition to BelfastCairnryan, Belfast–Heysham, Belfast–Liverpool, Dublin–Holyhead, Rosslare–Fishguard and Rosslare–Cherbourg. “With our extended operational contract with Peel Ports at Birkenhead and the expansion of our operations at Dublin Port, this route further demonstrates our commitment to our

with Stena Line for over 25 years, and this latest investment in the future of the BelfastHeysham route is testament to the success of that partnership. “We share a commitment to making our operations more sustainable, and we’re very excited to explore ways to use our port infrastructure to power these new vessels from the electrical grid, which will be a major step towards achieving our ambition to become a net-zero port operator by 2040.”

Stena Line is the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, with the biggest fleet providing up to 238 weekly sailings offering the widest choice of routes including: combined passenger and freight services from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, Rosslare to Fishguard, Rosslare to Cherbourg, in addition to the dedicated freight only route from Belfast to Heysham and the new Dublin – Birkenhead route which is due to start in February.

Stena Line is one of Europe’s leading ferry companies transporting 6.5 million passengers with 39 vessels across 17 routes in Northern Europe operating 27,000 sailings each year.

customers in the region and we are confident it will be a success, offering direct access to the UK, Ireland and into Europe,” Mr Grant added.

Stena Line is the largest ferry operator on the Irish Sea, with the biggest fleet, up to 238 weekly sailings offering the widest choice of routes including, combined passenger and freight services from Belfast to Cairnryan and Liverpool, Dublin to Holyhead, and Rosslare to Fishguard in addition to Rosslare to Cherbourg. The company also runs a dedicated freight only route from Belfast to Heysham.

Paul Grant, Trade Director, Stena Line.

SHE’S ELECTRICORDER BOOKS OPEN FOR NEW MAXUS VAN

BY AUSTIN LYNCH, NEW EDITOR, EXPORT & FREIGHT

To mark the arrival of the new Maxus eDeliver 7 into the UK market, Harris Group invited Export and Freight’s Austin Lynch to Liverpool to be one of the first to drive the new van.

Building on its existing range of all-electric light commercial vans for the fleet and business sectors, Harris MAXUS has opened up order books for its new cutting-edge eDeliver 7.

Launched at the CV Show in 2023, this all-new medium-sized electric van offers outstanding performance, high efficiency and superb reliability in all road and weather conditions. With a range of up to 230 miles (WLTP combined range) on a single charge, drivers can expect a pure driving experience every time.

Fitting between the smaller eDeliver 3 Maxus van and larger eDeliver 9 options, the eDeliver 7 is available in three size configurations (L1H1, L2H1, L2H2), two battery sizes (77kWh, 88kWh), and comes with an impressive 1-tonne payload capacity.

This electric van has a 43-minute charge time for 80% battery charge when using a DC charger, or can be fully charged in 8 - 9.3 hours with an AC charger.

From the outside the eDeliver 7 is a good looking van, with clean lines and eye-catching LED run lights giving it a futuristic look. But

it’s when the driver climbs inside that things really kick-up a gear.

The interior is a very comfortable, and well equipped place to be –not what you would expect from the interior of a van.

The eDeliver 7 features a 12.3inch touch screen infotainment

system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for seamless connectivity on the road. With very comfortable seats, and luxuries including a heated steering wheel (ideal for a driver’s cold hands while delivering on a wet and windy February

morning), you realise this is more than your ordinary work van. In the cargo area the vehicle offers practical features such as a steel bulkhead with an observation window, a single sliding door, rear wing doors with 90°/180° opening, and tie-down loops.

The eDeliver 7 is incredibly well equipped, with an array of safety features and smart technologies, including Blind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist System, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Front & Rear Parking Sensor, Autonomous Emergency Braking System (AEBS), Reversing Camera, Front Collision Warning System (FCW), 360° Camera, Lane Departure Warning & Lane Keeping, Emergency Lane Keeping Assist System, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop&Go, Intelligent Headlight Control (IHC), Speed Limit Sign Identification System, and Fatigue Driving Monitoring and Early Warning System. Out on the road, the eDeliver 7 is a smooth operator. There is plenty of power under your right foot, and with a great driving position, and a clear, unobstructed view of

the road ahead the eDeliver should make light work of whatever deliveries it has to make.

Mark Barrett, Maxus Managing Director said, “2024 is off to a great start with order books now open for the Maxus eDeliver 7 electric van at local dealerships

across the country. In an era when sustainability guides customer choice, the eDeliver 7 is a game-changer in the electric commercial vehicle market. Its sleek design seamlessly merges functionality with aesthetic appeal and energy efficiency. If

you’re looking to upgrade your work wheels this is one van you really need to experience.”

Pricing for the eDeliver 7 starts from £44,995 (ex VAT) and is available to order now with expected delivery end of March. Visit your local dealer to test drive today.

All Maxus vehicles come with five years warranty or 60,000 miles and include five years roadside assistance cover as standard.

Find your local MAXUS dealership by visiting www.saicmaxus.co.uk

BIG AND BOLD Maxus gets tough with T90 pick-up

I have always thought that the pick-up is probably the most complete vehicle you could imagine –the only car you’ll ever need’, sort of thing – to borrow a phrase!

You have that extra height which makes you feel you are both safe and secure with a commanding view of the road, and other road users around you.

And you also have the practicality to carry loads that no other car could contemplate - without sacrificing the comfort and equipment levels of a car.

With many versions having crew cab configuration - with seating for up to 5 people, and four-wheel drive there is nothing more you could ask of a vehicle.

BUT HOW ABOUT ONE THAT DOESN’T USE ANY FUEL?

Enter the Maxus T90 EV – the new fully electric pick-up truck from those new guys at Maxus. Well, they are not new – but new to the UK and Ireland

market in the last four years or so. We should all be getting used to electric vehicles entering almost every sector of the automotive industry, but this was honestly the first time I realized there was a completely electric pick-up. And a very good looking one it is too!

Thanks to Mark Barrett and the people at Harris Group I recently had the opportunity to take one of these vehicles out for a test drive, and to say I was impressed would be an understatement.

This is a big, impressive looking pickup with smart strip LED run lights at the front and attractive lines right the way around. Put it this way – this new kid on the block is not going to get teased in the playground on its looks.

SO, WHAT ABOUT WHEN YOU GET INSIDE??

Well, things just keep getting better as you climb aboard this substantial vehicle, and take your seat in its very comfortable – bordering on luxurious - interior.

I have to make a confession at this point. This was the first fully electric vehicle I have driven.

During the same trip to Liverpool I also drove the brand new eDeliver7 van from Maxus – details of which you can find elsewhere in this issue.

I have driven hybrids before, and diesels and petrol powered vehicles aplenty, but never have I put the pedal to the metal in a vehicle without one of them engine thingys under the bonnet. It was simple enough to be honest– press the brake, turn the key, wait for it to say ‘Ready’, then put it in ‘D’ and you are good to go.

Any misgivings I might have had about being in an all-electric vehicle were about to be dispelled. As there are no gears to worry

about, you just put the foot down and you’re away, and you quickly realize you are in a very powerful vehicle that could go anywhere. The model I drove is the T90 EV 88.55kWh, with a 198 mile range and a 150KW motor driving the rear wheels.

During my half hour test drive, two words kept coming into my head – smooth and powerful. Sitting in a big pick-up, you normally expect to hear a big roar from the engine when you plant the throttle. Obviously, this is missing completely here, but after a few minutes, and a bit of driving, you soon get used to the quiet (it’s much easier to hear the music on the digital radio). It also took me a while to get used to the regenerative braking. In an electric vehicle, when you lift off the gas it slows down by itself much more than a petrol or diesel ever would. But again, you very quickly get used to this trait –something we will all be getting used to sooner rather than later I am starting to believe…

This version is not a four-wheel drive vehicle, but I understand that is coming. But unless you intend to drive through the muddiest fields, or halfway up the nearest mountain I think this new Maxus will be up the task. To my mind it certainly ticks all the boxes for anyone in the market for a pick-up who is tired of diesel and is willing to try something new and exciting. In terms of equipment, the dash is all digital, with a normal speedometer and a power use gauge/dial where a standard rev counter would be telling you how much power you are using at any time, with a 10.25 inch digital touch screen instrument cluster giving you access to all the tech onboard this vehicle. And in the middle of the drivers dials you have the all-important ‘range’, which didn’t reduce too much during my half hour.

Maxus is a new name to many in this part of the world, but expect to start seeing a lot more of these vehicles on the roads here very soon.

T90EV AT A GLANCE

Battery pack capacity: 88.55kWh

198 miles / 320 kms

Range (WLTP city)

150 kW motor

Pickup 3,300kg RWD

Body size: 5,365x1,900x1,809mm

Cargo box: 1,485x1,510x530mm

Reversing camera and rain sensing windscreen wipers

Halogen headlight with automatic induction and LED daytime running light

17“alloy wheels

Stainless steel sports bar and outside rope hook

Timely New Partnership with Swiss Partner

Europa Road is kicking off 2024 by boosting its service for customers looking to transit goods to and from Switzerland, a country showing significant growth in trade with the UK and Ireland.

In November 2023, the Department for Business and Trade reported a 40 per cent increase in trade of goods between the UK and Switzerland in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2023, compared to the same period in 2022.

During this timeframe the UK‘s goods trade specifically recorded a surplus of £13.9 billion with Switzerland, compared to £173 million in the four quarters to the end of Q2 2022.

Europa Road is the European road freight division of Europa Worldwide Group, which has offices in Cromac Square Belfast and Rosemount Business Park, Dublin, and provides market leading road freight services

Its network of 17 sales branches (across the UK and the Republic of Ireland) manage the shipments of goods into Dartford, from where freight connects daily with direct services to 36 continental hubs.

From 1st January, 2024, Europa Road will make a change to its partnership arrangements in Switzerland, moving to leading Swiss Operator, Magsped. The new agreement support Europa’s

continued ambition to reduce export and import lead times for customers shipping to and from Switzerland, with the most exciting part of all, the launch of a market leading DAILY service in both directions from 1st March 2024. Magsped provides quality, fast transit times and has excellent network coverage across the country including Basel, Zürich, Lucerne, Bern, Lausanne, and Geneva.

As part of continued investment in its services, Europa Road ships goods to and

from the UK and Switzerland, with doorto-door collection and delivery within 48/72 hours, dependent on the location.

Europa has invested in its operation to provide the best system available today for distributing goods between the UK and Europe via part load, full load or groupage.

Europa’s purpose-built transit hub in Dartford provides more than 30 daily groupage services between the UK and the Continent. Known as the ‘1Hub,’ this £30m state-of-the-art groupage depot is located close to the Dartford Crossing. Today a record 40,000 consignments per month pass through the terminal seamlessly.

Operations Director at Europa Worldwide Group

Dan Cook said: “By working with Magsped we can provide an improved seamless service using our expert in-house customs clearance expertise. Magsped’s excellent network coverage across prime locations allows us to transport goods seamlessly. But most of all the aligned ambitions of our two companies to invest in a true daily structured service is absolutely market leading and very exciting”

Radar Predict collision protection system launched

Brigade Electronics has launched Radar Predict - its latest innovative side Blind Spot Information System (BSIS) collision prediction safety technology specifically designed to protect cyclists from incidents with HGVs.

Utilising artificial intelligence

(AI), Radar Predict alerts the driver about potential collisions by analysing data such as the speed and direction of the vehicle, and cyclists nearby. The system uses its specially designed algorithm to alert drivers when an impact with a cyclist is likely. Incidents involving large vehicles, such as HGVs, are far more likely to prove fatal than those involving a car. Many of the collisions between cyclists and HGVs occur because the driver has limited ‘direct vision’ from their cab (the ability to see what is outside the vehicle without using indirect aids, such as mirrors or cameras).

Radar Predict supports HGV driver visibility via a single dual-radar unit, which is fitted to the nearside of the vehicle to provide complete side coverage, including the trailer unit. A trailer discovery mode will detect whether the vehicle is fitted with a trailer and prevents the articulation from causing false alerts. The driver is alerted only if a cyclist enters the detection zone and poses a potential collision risk. The system issues differentiated visual and audible alerts based on the time to collision, providing an initial notification upon detection and escalating to a more urgent warning if it

predicts an imminent collision.

Radar Predict’s key features include:

• 180-degree cyclist side detection active at speeds below 20mph

• A detection area of 4.5m x up to 46m

• Available for left-hand and right-hand applications

• Compatible with rigid and articulated vehicles

• Reduces false alerts: only issues alerts when the collision is likely

• Quick and easy to install (no CAN connection to the vehicle required)

• Meets UNECE Regulation

151 requirements

• Complies with DVS PSS requirements

Two-year warranty

Dan Cook.

Belfast 028 90 781230

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