Fleet Transport FEB/MAR 2025

DIarY DaTES 2025 - EVENTS aND EXHIBITIONS

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Contents F EB /M AR 2025

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Editor: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

contributors: Cathal Doyle, Sean Murtagh, Paul White, Donal Dempsey, Howard Knott, Joe O’Brien, Tim Giles (IToTYa)

Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Paul White, Cathal Doyle, Howard Knott, Newspress, Trish Forde, Tim Giles

administration: Orla Sweeney

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the UK independent fuel distributors association (UKifda) has arranged an exciting new format for the evening gathering of the upcoming UKifda show 2025, which will be held at a new venue at the leeds arena on 14th May 2025.

The move to Leeds follows successful UKIFDA events in Harrogate and Liverpool over the years.

“This year’s event promises to be a dynamic experience aimed at enhancing engagement and networking among participants,” explained Dawn Shakespeare, UKIFDA’s membership and events manager. “Replacing the traditional formal dinner, the evening gathering will feature a lively compère and will include multiple surprises and prizes throughout the night. This fresh

approach is designed to foster connections in a more relaxed atmosphere.”

New format & New Venue for

Dawn added: “Attendees can look forward to a drinks reception followed by a casual dining experience, with a selection of delicious bowl food. The evening will also offer casino tables, available until midnight, with the venue open for socialising until 2 a.m.”

“Moreover, the UKIFDA Awards presentation will see a slight modification this year. In a break from tradition, award announcements will occur throughout the day, culminating in the revealing of several prestigious awards during the evening gathering,” she added.

Ken Cronin, CEO of UKIFDA, commented: “As the industry looks towards the future of liquid fuel distri-

David Macken - Young Irish Freight Forwarder of the Year 2025

Macken of international freight association’s (iifa) full trading Member hawthorn logistics ltd has been selected as irish Young irish freight forwarder of the Year for 2025.

From the two-round process of the contest, David was among three finalists from the IIFA membership body selected along with Gaia Manconi of Arcese Cosulich Ireland Ltd., and Vikram Nair of Rhenus Air & Ocean Ltd.

“This is the second year of this national competition, which has a dual aim of giving focus to the diligent and creative work of rising stars in the industry and acting as a selection process for Ireland’s Candidate for the annual FIATA Young Logistics Professional Award (YLP). The YLP requires Candidates

to pen a 6,000-word thesis, focusing on a key export and a key import cargo shipment, effectively detailing a solid case study for both shipments and the logistical challenges within same,” explained Seamus Kavanagh, IIFA Executive Officer.

For Round 2 of the competition, each of the finalists submitted a 700-word outline of what their prospective thesis would be, and prepared a presentation on same. The finalists delivered their presentations to a Steering Committee of Representatives from IIFA Council featuring a study of:

The evolving role and skillset of Freight Forwarders set against technological disruption, Fresh Irish food to Asia, and an AOG

bution, the UKIFDA SHOW 2025 presents products, showcasing service solutions, and engaging in face-to-face discussions with industry peers.

Industry stakeholders are encouraged to secure their spots for this innovative evening gathering and be part of the solution shaping the sector’s future.  This new evening format is all about creating a vibrant and interactive experience for our attendees. We believe that fostering connections in a relaxed environment will encourage meaningful conversations and collaboration within the industry.”

Tickets are priced at £85 per person, which covers the drinks reception, informal dinner, two drinks vouchers, and casino entry.

(Aircraft on Ground) movement, and Pharmaceutical cargo under strict movement guidelines.

David can now begin expanding his research for his thesis and IIFA will formally nominate David to FIATA as Ireland’s Candidate for the 2025 Young Logistics Professional competition.

Pictured: David Macken with IIFA President Sandra Morrisey

david

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international transport related development organisation transaid has announced its next cycle challenge, set to take place in the Republic of ireland between 24 – 28 september 2025. Participants will set off from Cork, riding 328 km over three days to finish in dublin city centre.

Day one will see cyclists pedal 132 km from Cork to Waterford. The second day adds 91 km as the group travels to Carlow. A final 105 km on day three brings the challenge to an end –completing an adventure which will take in green fields, ruined castles, heritage towns, and traditional Irish pubs!

Announcing the charity fundraising event coming to Ireland, Caroline Barber, Chief Executive of Transaid, says: “It has been incredible to see our cycle challenges grow since we launched the first ride back in 2006, and the team is really excited to be crossing the Irish Sea for this next adventure. The transport and logistics industries are always ready

to jump in the saddle to support us, and the unrestricted funds they generate open doors for us to pilot new projects.”

Last year saw two groups of riders participate in Transaid cycle challenges, in the UK and Kenya, raising more than £255,000 to support life-saving road safety and access to healthcare projects.

Entries for Cork to Dublin are encouraged from teams and individuals. The registration fee is £149 per person and participants are asked to raise a minimum sponsorship of £1,750 to take part. The package includes four nights’ accommodation with meals, ride support, luggage transport along the route, and bike passage to and from Ireland. Flights, if required, must be booked separately.

Fleet Transport, as the official Irish media partner, is assisting with logistics during the event.

aBOUT Tra NS a ID

Transaid transforms lives through safe, available, and sustainable transport,

sean was a long standing Council

‘On yer Bike!’ Get ready for the Transaid Cork

to Dublin Cycle Challenge

the international development organisation works with communities, partners, and governments to solve transport challenges throughout sub-Saharan Africa. Transaid works in two core areas, road safety and access to health, to solve two of the biggest transport challenges in sub-Saharan Africa. Transaid’s road safety work focuses on influencing safe driver behaviour with long term programmes in Ghana, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, responding to local needs for improved training for drivers and riders of trucks, buses, motorcycles and forklift trucks. On the access to health side, Transaid is working with local partners and communities to strengthen access to health services, primarily in rural areas. They are also working to strengthen health supply chains in collaboration with local partners and Governments.

To sign up for the event or for more information, please contact Anna Giavedoni, Events Manager for Transaid, via anna@transaid.org or +44 (0)7310 909580.

For more information and to find out how you can support the organisation visit www.transaid.org

Obituary – Sean O’Sullivan

The death has taken place of Sean O’Sullivan, Muckross, Killarney, County Kerry.

Sean spent his working career operating locally in the Killarney area, providing groundworks and site clearance. His other main work was for Kerry County Council and Liebherr Cranes.

When, due to a technical issue, Sean found himself without a driving licence in his ‘80s, he was not concerned, It was typical of his entrepreneurial spirit that he re-applied and successfully passed his test again.

His close neighbours, John and Catherine Loesberg described Sean as “having an infectious character and a great raconteur”. An avid reader of ‘Fleet’ magazine, he looked forward to keeping up-to-date with the world of transport in each edition.

Having retired in 2015 after a lifetime in the trade, Sean spent his final years in the loving care of his son Jason. He passed away peacefully on 15 January. Many he rest peacefully.

member of the irish Road haulage association (iRha) and served as Chairman of the Kerry Branch in the early 1990’s.

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hydrogen Mobility ireland (hMi) was established a few years ago, how is the organisation’s vision and its objectives progressing?

HMI advocates for the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel source for heavy-duty vehicles such as trucks, construction equipment, aviation, and shipping. Battery power is unsuitable for many of these vehicles, and hydrogen is an excellent solution for their decarbonisation.

In December, we released a series of three briefing papers showing that Irish industry is ready and able to deploy hydrogen mobility at scale, creating a low carbon energy system that will reduce emissions and bring hundreds of jobs and billions in capital investment.

A clear roadmap of HMI member projects shows how we will roll out both hydrogen production and vehicles. Urgent action is required to ensure that on-island hydrogen production is deployed, rather than relying on hydrogen imports.

Over €4bn of funding could be made available in 2025 alone for hydrogen mobility projects, but Irish companies are currently cut off from this due to a lack of national support. With a clear commitment from Government, Ireland can enable its industrial players to take advantage of European funding and unlock the benefits of a homegrown clean energy industry.

Q&A with Des Phelan, Chair of Hydrogen Mobility Ireland

Please outline how the body came together initially and what role each of the stakeholders play within the group.

Hydrogen Mobility Ireland is a group of Irish stakeholders developing the use of hydrogen for transport in Ireland, whilst keeping transport practical and affordable.

The body came together originally in 2019 as an early advocate for hydrogen mobility. Since then, HMI has overseen a variety of demonstration projects and trials, including Ireland’s first hydrogen fuel cell bus trial.

The projects have put hydrogen mobility on Ireland’s agenda, reflected by the National Hydrogen Strategy (2023) and the recently published Draft Programme for Government.

industrial players, amongst the few able to deploy infrastructure at national scale.

Primarily, to reach your goals will take quite a lot of investment both public and private, how will this be achieved?

It is true that deploying hydrogen mobility at scale in Ireland will require significant investment.

Importantly, the Irish Government does not need to fund these projects by itself. Private investors are willing to finance large-scale hydrogen projects, provided the correct policy support is in place. Last month, HSBC UK committed “multi-million-pound funding” to a hydrogen project developer to expand its hydrogen production capacity across the UK.

Today, hydrogen production capacity is scaling up around the world, accompanied by improvements in technology and reductions in cost. HMI is proud to have maintained its role as an active body in the industry at this exciting time.

HMI members are BOC, Bord Na Mona, Coillte, Energia, ESB, and Maxol. Our members’ expertise covers hydrogen production, distribution, and end-use. HMI members are a powerhouse of Irish

As well as private funding, billions of EU funding are available for hydrogen mobility projects. However, accessing this funding again requires the correct policy support from the Government, as Ireland already faces strong competition from other EU countries. By providing complementary funding and a clear policy roadmap, the Government can unlock large scales of private investment and EU-level funding to support hydrogen mobility in Ireland.

is the Government taking this alternative source of green energy seriously enough?

In 2023, the Government released the National Hydrogen Strategy, showing its ambition for the use of hydrogen in Ireland. We are also delighted

Electrolyser owned and operated by HMI member Energia

that Hydrogen features in the new Government’s Draft Programme.

However, the Government must urgently commit to developing hydrogen mobility to secure on-island hydrogen production and supply chain development. Currently, there is only one refuelling station located on the island of Ireland, and just 3% of all newly registered heavy-duty vehicles in Ireland are alternatively fuelled.

Other EU countries have already announced substantial investments in clean hydrogen, with Germany allocating over €14bn of funding, followed by the Netherlands with €10bn, and France with €6bn.

This Government will be leading us to achieve the 2030 targets for the decarbonisation of Irish transport. We are currently focusing on ensuring Ireland develops its own hydrogen energy industry, rather than relying on imports.

ireland is blessed with natural resources to produce green hydrogen (h2); as well as wind and solar power, is ocean/wave power generation an option also?

Ireland is indeed blessed with abundant wind and solar power. HMI wants to draw on these resources to power hydrogen production sustainably. This will not only create additional consistent demand for renewable energy generation projects but will also enable their full utilisation by reducing dispatch-down.

Ocean and wave power generation is currently at early stages of development and as such is an expensive source of power. While we encourage the development of all types of renewable energy generation, using a nascent and expensive power source to produce hydrogen, an energy-intensive process, is not yet viable.

Relating to the facts and figures outlined in the report, were there any surprising elements from the study?

Planning for e-fuel production and hydrogen refuelling networks must begin as soon as 2025 to meet EU targets, with limited room for projects to overrun. The unexpectedly short timelines have led HMI members to start work that will deliver on 2030 and 2035 targets, but corresponding commitment from Government is essential to allow these deadlines to be met.

Another surprising element of the study was the large number of operational jobs directly created by the development of 700MW of electrolysis, estimated at over 640. Many of these operational jobs will be located in rural areas of Ireland, bringing new industrial jobs to these regions.

as hydrogen will suit industry and commercial transport in general, have all the safety concerns been addressed?

We have used hydrogen for decades in the fertiliser and refining industries. As with any fuel, it must be handled carefully, and we have the safety regulations and standards in place to do so.

are you also working with the various auto and commercial vehicle manufacturers that are currently developing h2 drivetrains be it internal Combustion and/or fuel Cell Electric technology?

HMI has been in contact with various fuel cell vehicle manufacturers, allowing us to understand manufacturers’ ability to deliver the vehicles required to use the hydrogen refuelling infrastructure that HMI members wish to develop. Ensuring that hydrogen production, refuelling network, and vehicles are rolled out at the same time is of high priority to HMI.

when it comes to the roll out of the actual supply, what is the actual timeline and how will the alternative energy be stored and retailed into the marketplace?

We expect hydrogen mobility to be deployed over the following timelines in Ireland:

n demonstration phase 2024-2026

Small-scale and low-cost demonstration projects will help to develop home-grown hydrogen expertise, open up supply chains, and activate the market to instil confidence in investors.

n Early Commercial phase 2027-2030

10MW-scale projects will make green hydrogen available to the market, catalysing further demand by allowing the build-up of downstream infrastructure and end uses. The Early Commercial phase will require high levels of investment and will also incur the highest risk, leading to the greatest need for financial support

n industrialisation phase 2031-2035

Economies of scale will reduce costs across the supply chain and the confidence built among industry and investors will allow larger-scale projects to reach commercial operation.

As for storage and retail of hydrogen, the fuel can be easily stored in compressed gas cylinders. Hydrogen can be dispensed into hydrogen vehicles in a similar manner to fossil fuel refuelling, allowing zero-emission vehicles to avoid lengthy recharge times.

is hMi affiliated with like-minded European groups to share policies and avail of networking opportunities?

HMI maintains close contact with several organisations such as Hydrogen Ireland, the H2Accelerate collaboration, and the Freight Transport Association of Ireland. We look forward to taking part in the World Hydrogen Technologies Convention produced by Hydrogen Ireland which takes place in Dublin this year in October. Follow the Hydrogen Mobility Ireland LinkedIn page for further information and progress updates.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

Hydrogen tube trailer owned and operated by HMI member Energia

New names and new prize winners on the Dakar Rally 2025 Podium

The 47th edition of the famous Dakar Rally, which also marked the sixth running of the annual Rally Raid event in Saudi Arabia, proved to be yet another eventful and memorable occasion. Over two weeks the cross-country marathon was concluded in Shubaytah by 175 vehicles, consisting of 77 bikes (including 67 Rally 2), 40 Ultimate cars, 1 Stock car, 21 Challengers, 23 SSVs and 13 trucks, all reached the final finishing line after covering

The bike race witnessed a return to the top step of the podium for KTM, which enjoyed its 20th triumph on the race thanks to the unshakable Daniel Sanders. He became the second Australian winner on the Dakar after dominating the race from start to finish in a manner not seen since Marc Coma was victorious in 2009. Tosha Schareina (Spain) and Adrien van Beveren (France), both riding for Honda HRC, finished second and third.

7,828 gruelling kilometres. A further 108 competitors, representing 32.24% of the total, were forced into premature exits from the rally.

“Winning this race feels massive,” said Daniel. “When I came over the last dune and saw the bivouac I got instant chills through the whole body. All the emotions just started coming through.”

The Australian lead from the start to the finish of the 2025 Dakar Rally to claim his first bike title with a brilliant display across the gruelling, mixed terrain. Towering sand dunes, extreme temperatures and a racing distance of over 5,000 kilometres all lay in wait for the Dakar convoy and 30-year-old Sanders proved equal to it on his Red Bull KTM Factory Racing bike.

Joining the Dakar roll of honour was a new name and a new nationality in the car

category. After eleven attempts Saudi driver Yazeed Al Rajhi, competing in an Overdrive Toyota Hulux, achieved the rare privilege of winning the rally on home soil. Long-time leader Henk Lategan of South Africa in a factory Gazoo Racing Toyota Hilux was second, while a notable third place was achieved by first time competitors Ford in an

Daniel Sanders

Adrien Van Beveren

Tosha Schareina

Toyota Gazoo Racing’s line up

M-Sport/NWM run Ford Ranger Raptor T1+, with Mattias Ekstrôm (Sweden) at the wheel.

In what was the second closest finish in the history of the car category at the Dakar, Yazeed was delighted to take his maiden victory: “I am very, very happy to do it, it was not an easy race, it’s the toughest one that I’ve done in the last 11 years. For sure, me and Timo Gottschalk and my team did a great job like always. We have made a lot of records: the first Saudi driver to win and also in the last 25 years no private team beat a factory team but we did it this time. Also, it’s the first time there is a winner on the Dakar from the same country in which it is raced, with a Saudi guy winning a Saudi Dakar.”

and former multi-winner Nasser Al-Attiyah (Qatar) coming home a creditable fourth place.

Czech Republic’s Martin Macik successfully defended his title in the truck category in his MM Technology Iveco PowerStar. He dominated proceedings ahead of Mitchel Van Den Brink (Netherlands) in the Eurol RallySport Iveco PowerStar and last year’s runner-up Aleš Loprais (Czech Republic) in the InstaTrade Loprais Team De Rooy FPT Iveco PowerStar.

Third place in the overall standings was, unfortunately, one place lower than Aleš Loprais had hoped for. But he was proud that he recorded the same number of stage wins as overall winner Martin Macík.

“We crossed the finish line in a good position and took five stage wins. We should be grateful for that. I would like to thank our families and the team who have worked hard on this machine. My dream is still to win the Dakar one day and I believe that dreams do come true.”

Matthias Ekström was equally pleased with his podium finish for Ford on the Raptor T1+’s debut: “We can be very proud as a team that we were able to fight at the front and show good pace and great consistency,” said the Swede. “The quality of the Ford Raptor T1+ has been so good throughout this incredibly tough race. Now I am looking forward to coming back next year and pushing for the overall win.”

Another debutant was the Dacia Sandriders, with vastly experienced

their journey through the sand and rocky terrain, covering a distance of over 1,300 kilometres for this second edition. Progress was made since last year in terms of the range and

Nicolas Cavigliasso (who triumphed in the quad category in 2019) took the title in the Challenger class with Brock Heger making his mark in the SSV sideby-side class on his 25th birthday. The Dakar Classic race for consistency came to a close with 80 vehicles (as opposed to 95 starters). Spanish title holder Carlos Santaolalla became the first double winner since the creation of the category in 2021.

The five vehicles enrolled in the Mission 1000 zero-emission challenge completed

performance capabilities of the KH7 truck driven by Jordi Juvanteny, who won in 2024, as indeed was the case for the hydrogen-powered HySe SSV. Three Segway electric bikes, newcomers to the challenge, also validated their technology on the Dakar and can look

Dacia Snadriders

Ford Raptor T1

MM Tech Iveco PowerStar

Mitchel Van Den Bring

Ales Loprais

a rather special delivery was recently made to dG Mc ardle international, the road transport and logistics family firm based at inniskeen, dundalk, County Monaghan, in the shape of a new

Special DAF 75th Anniversary XG+ goes

to

DG Mc Ardle International

Generation daf XG+ 530 4x2 flagship tractor-unit, all decked out in unique livery.

The supply and full furnishing of the XG+, commemorating the 75th Anniversary of DAF Truck production was undertaken by DAF Distributors Ireland,

Marks & Spencer partners with Gray & Adams to specify Hybrid Wagon ’n’ Drag Fleet

Marks & spencer has taken delivery of its first refrigerated electric wagon and drag vehicles, marking a significant milestone for the company. these vehicles, developed in collaboration with long-term partner body-builder Gray & adams, represent a leap forward in sustainability and efficiency for food retail transportation.

The electric wagon and drag setup, the first of its kind in the country, is equipped with advanced technology, including a fully electric Carrier Transicold fridge on the prime mover

Baldonnell, Dublin, with the special livery and mudguard finishing done by Coyle Complete, Emyvale, County Monaghan. Paul O’Reilly: DAF Fleet Sales Manager, did the deal with David Mc Ardle: Managing Director, DG Mc Ardle International.

unit. This innovative system operates on electric power generated by the vehicle’s main engine. The drag trailer can seamlessly switch to a small diesel backup tank in case of power failure, ensuring uninterrupted temperature control for sensitive food items.

The vehicles offer a hybrid approach to food delivery, combining the flexibility of traditional rigid vehicles with the environmental benefits of electric technology. By using a wagon and drag

system, Marks & Spencer can reduce its fleet’s carbon footprint and improve efficiency. For example, a single wagon and drag can replace the need for two separate rigid vehicles, delivering to two different locations in one trip.

Once unloaded, the trailer can be detached and powered by an electric connection at the depot, allowing the prime mover vehicle to be repurposed for other deliveries, maximizing productivity throughout the day.

New DAF XB on delivery duty with Drury Oils

adrian drury, Managing director and thomas drury, drury oils, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon are pictured along with Paul o’Reilly, fleet sales Manager, DAF Trucks Ireland at the handover of a new DAF XB 230 12-tonne 4x2 rigid at DAF Distributors

Ireland headquarters in Dublin. Morrow Tankers, Lisburn manufactured the fuel tank, while the livery was done by Sign FX, Naas and the additional lighting, roof bars, and air-horns were supplied by TRP, Dublin.

MAX Trailer, 3 axle power steered extendable flat trailer, 21m, remote control for steering over ride, in stock available immediately.

Schmitz 60 cubic yard bulk tipper, aluminium, manual cover, grain hatch, in stock available immediately.

MAX Trailer, 2 axle draw bar, with alu loading ramps, option for alu side boards, in stock. available immediately.

Max trailer 3 axle Lowbed extendable to 13m with travel height of 350mm. On pendle axles, in stock.

Martin hough, hGV sales Executive, dennehy Commercials, limerick, has highlighted some recent sales, starting off the new year in a positive manner.

“here is a new Renault t-high 520 tractor-unit sold to Eoin Gavin transport, Bunratty, County Clare. this top-of-therange unit comes with full Continental spec.”

Picture two is a new MAN TGL 8.190 with Fitzgerald 20’ box body and Zeppro cantilever tail-lift, which was supplied to DuTec, Supply Chain Management operation, located nearby at Dock Road in Limerick. While the other new MAN TGL 12.190 was purchased by Splitstone Ltd., Lisbunny Industrial Estate, Nenagh,

2024 start-up company sheanon transport & Courier services, County Monaghan specified this new scania P280 Rigid, complete with curtainside body.

251 plates on new Renault & MAN Trucks from Dennehy Commercials, Limerick

County Tipperary, complete with 20’ Giblin refrigerated body and a Thermo King unit.

The third photograph is a new Renault T-High 520 6x2 tractor-unit sold

to Sean Maher Haulage, Roscrea, County Tipperary, by Martin Hough, pictured with Sean and his son Eíanna. Sean operates a 40 strong mixed brand trucks fleet.

Standout Scania Trucks sold by McElvaney Motors

Abco Kovex, based in Swords, County Dublin, recently purchased a new Scania 560 S to add to its impressive fleet. The company offers a comprehensive range of packaging materials and machinery, all readily available from stock. Among the fittings include Durabrite Alloy Wheels, Front Air Suspension, Brown Leather Luxury

Heated & Cooled Seats and a 12” Colour Infotainment System.

Loyal Scania customer, Jimmy Quinn, James Quinn European, County Louth, has put this new Scania 660 S 6x4 V8 into operation. It features the company’s eye-catching and unique livery!

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

Up to ninety trucks and tractors “tripped the lights fandango” at the 4th annual Joyce Country truck Run & light show, which travelled in convoy from Maam Cross in County Galway to Cong, County Mayo on the evening of saturday, 28th   december 2024, in aid of tuam Cancer Care.

The event organisers had extended an open invite to truck owners, drivers, dealers and brand distributors to participate in the epic run with tractor-units of any vintage.

Among the prize winners on the night were:

1st Liam Madden, Kilkerrin, Connemara

2nd Joyce’s Recess, Connemara

3rd Robert Keane, Maam, Co. Galway

4th Kevin Flaherty, Letter more, Co. Galway

5th Sean O Cualain Carraroe, Co. Galway

6th Declan Curran, Moycullan, Co. Galway

“The 2024 Joyce Country Truck Run & Light Show ran from Peacocks Hotel, Maam Cross, County Galway and travelled to Maam Village down through Maam Valley, over to Cornamona, on to Clonbur Village via ECC TEO Timber Mill and finished up at the Crossroads Community Centre in Cong, County Mayo,” stated Paddy Rock, from the organising team.

“Following our annual Truck & Tractor Run we have to say a huge thank you to all who came out and supported such a worthy cause as Tuam Cancer Care. Thanks to all families of spectators for waiting in the villages and all along the route for their patience in waiting for the highly decorated convoy to pass through.

It was some sight for all to see, and for those taking part it was heartening for them to receive such a warm welcome as they passed by and at the finish at the Community Centre in Cong,” added Paddy.

Guest of honour was the new Garda

Joyce Country highly illuminated at the 4th Annual Truck & Tractor Run

Patrol Truck, a Scania R450 6×2 tractor-unit, which headed up the long line of vehicles, as ‘Grand Marshall’ – so to speak!

Maureen Grealish, Manager at Tuam Cancer Care was most pleased with the generous donations and great support

received on the night and following the event. “The contributions truly make a big difference to the lives of the people that we support. Thanks to this support, we can continue to provide free and confidential support to people at a time in their lives when support is most needed. As a charity, we need to raise 90% of the costs of providing our support services each year, for example, it costs €180 to provide a programme of Complimentary Therapies, €480 to provide a programme of counselling and €2,600 to run the Physical Activity Programme per term.

Photo selection: Trish Forde and Jarlath Sweeney

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

Members of the event organising team, pictured from L-R: Pat Flanagan, Kristija Seke, Mary Rock), Eimear Keane; Tuam Cancer Car), Ray McHugh, Jennifer Rock and PJ Flynn, Tuam Cancer Care.

Polar Ice: Driving Sustainability and Excellence in Dry Ice Manufacturing and Transport

Polar ice, ireland’s leading manufacturer of dry ice products, prides itself on exceptional customer care and a commitment to putting customers first. the company recognises that fostering pride in the workplace starts with valuing and supporting its team. By offering opportunities for professional development and up-skilling, it empowers employees to take greater ownership of their roles. Recently, Polar ice has made significant investments to support growth, including expanding its manufacturing premises to optimise production flow and storage facilities. it has also improved efficiency through lean methodologies and continued efforts to reduce its carbon footprint.

Alison Ritchie, Managing Director of Polar Ice, brings a unique perspective to the company, having worked in the

family business since her teenage years. “Polar Ice started as a family business in 1996, founded by my father and his two brothers with a shared vision to develop the dry ice market in Ireland,” she reflects. By 2002, the company had grown significantly, enabling it to invest in state-ofthe-art machinery and begin manufacturing dry ice locally, thus eliminating the need to rely on imports from the UK.

Today, Polar Ice has evolved significantly. The company remains a family business, employing more than 20 people with diverse skills and expertise. Team members bring a wealth of knowledge from various fields, including Chartered Accountancy, Transport Management, Civil Engineering, Production Management, Machinery Maintenance, Marketing, Web Development, and Quality Assurance.

With its dedicated dry ice production plant strategically located in the Midlands on the Laois-Offaly border, along with depots in Dublin, Cork, and Armagh, Polar Ice ensures seamless distribution of its dry ice products nationwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company played a vital role in safeguarding vaccine stability during distribution, showcasing its reliability and commitment to critical supply chain support.

Over the years, Polar Ice has successfully broadened its sector and customer base. “Our food-grade dry ice supports critical and time-sensitive operations across various industries” Alison explained. “These include temperature-controlled logistics, food processing, airline catering, blood banks, pharmaceutical companies, and even special effects. Alongside dry ice, we also offer gel packs and insulated storage solutions, with

domestic and international customers able to order online.”

Having the resources to meet the client’s requirements is paramount, from the initial order to the factory floor to product delivery. “We put the customer first and never compromise on quality, employing the highest manufacturing standards, with absolute and ever-ready customer support.”

“As part of our recent €3 million expansion and investment we have introduced additional production lines, moving towards more automated production and packaging processes. This advancement not only enhances operational efficiency but also reduces physical demands on our team, fostering a safer and more ergonomic working environment for our manufacturing operatives.

This project exemplifies our dedication to Lean methodologies, a transformative framework supported by Enterprise Ireland and the Offaly Local Enterprise Office, driving efficiency and innovation across Polar Ice. Furthermore, we have doubled onsite raw material storage, bolstering supply chain security and ensuring uninterrupted service for our valued customers.”

Polar Ice is certified to ISO9001:2015 and FTAI Gold and Green quality standards. “We operate a clean-room manufacturing environment to prevent any physical, chemical, or microbial contaminants in our dry ice, and we are the approved dry ice supplier to some of the country’s top food producers and meat processors. Furthermore, we employ our own quality assurance experts to maintain our exacting standards,” added Alison.

Security and confidence in raw

Alison Richie, Managing Director, Polar Ice

material supply from abroad has strengthened since Polar Ice’s alignment with the SOL Group. The SOL Group operates in the production of technical and medical gases; in the Home Care services sector, in the biotechnologies sector, and in the production of energy from renewable sources. “At the time of our joint venture, SOL had completed a €15 million investment enabling the capture of up to 65,000 tonnes of biogenic CO₂ annually, which would otherwise be emitted into the atmosphere. The recovered CO₂ is purified and liquefied for applications in the food and health industries, and for manufacturing of dry ice. Securing direct access to a reliable raw material supply was a crucial step in safeguarding the interests of our customers.”

For over 20 years, Polar Ice has prioritised sustainability, integrating CO₂ recovery technology into its manufacturing process to reduce emissions. Building on this foundation, the company has recently transitioned its fleet to hydro-treated vegetable oil (HVO), a low-carbon fuel stored on-site, and operates a fuel management system.

The decision to retain and invest in its transport fleet rather than outsourcing has paid off under the leadership of Operations & Transport Manager Denise Ryan. Since aligning operations with the FTAI TruckSafe Gold Standard, Polar Ice has enhanced fleet safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance.

“Our transport operations have been aligned with the FTAI’s TruckSafe Gold Green Standard since 2019,” Denise explained. “Achieving the Gold Standard gives us and our customers confidence that we operate to the highest compliance standards. Our goal is to make Polar Ice Ltd a sustainable, carbon-neutral supplier of dry ice in Ireland, and meeting the new TruckSafe Green Standard is a vital step in this

journey. It independently verifies that we have systems in place to reduce the environmental impact of our transport operations, including carbon reduction policies, fuel-saving measures, and efforts to transition to alternative fuels.”

There are a range of HGVs and LCVs in the fleet, all carefully specified to meet the cargo capacity and safety regulations required. Telematics, tyre management and preventative maintenance as well as walk-around pre-drive tests have been implemented by Denise, with the full support of the transport team.

Looking after the drivers is paying off, with many long-serving within the firm: “We undertake annual periodic training, up-skilling opportunities, and refresher courses in-house with a quality consultant. We recognise that driving as a career is costly to the individual, so Polar Ice made the decision to financially support our employees’ continuous professional development with training courses such as DCPC, truck driving lessons, eco driving behaviour, defensive driving, forklift handling, logistics, etc.”

A typical example is staff member Ronan Dunne, who was an award winner at the Apprentice of the Year 2023 Awards. “Ronan participated in the Transport Operations & Commercial Driving Apprenticeship, providing the opportunity for professional development and to graduate in under two years with a Level 6 qualification from Atlantic Technology University in Sligo. Under this programme, apprentices are given the opportunity to gain a higher education qualification as well as their professional driving qualification, giving Ronan both the technical and business skills to excel

in the industry. The programme is supported by the Freight Transport Association and co-ordinating provider Atlantic Technological University Sligo. It is through their combined efforts and supported by a strong consortium that this programme has come to fruition. Polar Ice is delighted to be part of the very first group of apprentices and we are all excited for the future growth that lies ahead,” added Denise.

Polar Ice’s commitment to excellence has been consistently recognised, with Alison Ritchie winning WMB

Entrepreneur of the Year 2016 and Accountant of the Year 2017. The company’s focus on transport operations was further acknowledged when Denise Ryan received the Fleet/Transport Manager of the Year Award 2020 at the Fleet Transport Awards. Polar Ice itself was named Fleet Transport Own Account Transport Operator of the Year in 2020, further affirming its leadership in the industry.

As Polar Ice looks to the future, the company remains steadfast in its mission to deliver exceptional quality, prioritise sustainability, and empower its team to drive continued innovation in the dry ice industry.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

Denise Ryan, Operations & Transport Manager, Polar ice

Going backwards must be managed too

Reversing is one of those slow speed manoeuvres that crops up time and time again in vehicles at work incident statistics. Reversing and slow speed manoeuvre incidents happen because vehicles all too often engage in multiple or lengthy manoeuvres that could have been avoided if yard managers and drivers gave consideration to the tasks that commonly occur at a premises. the driver should think about putting the vehicle in the required position for the safest and most efficient manoeuvre.

Drivers need to think about where the manoeuvre should start and finish to minimise risk and undue complication. By simply doing this the amount of reversing manoeuvres can be greatly reduced, and therefore the risk of something bad happening will also be greatly reduced. In summary, reversing is a high-risk vehicle manoeuvre, and in order to reduce risks drivers should be given instructions on the issues outlined below.

reversing Vehicles key points

If responsible for managing the safety of vehicle operations you should control the risks inherent in reversing by: n implementing a reversing policy for your organisation

n eliminating reversing, wherever possible. This can be done, for example, by laying out a one-way system if the premises allows for this. If this can’t be done, it might be possible to set up designated reversing areas, which should be marked as such. All non-essential personnel should then be excluded from such areas.

n minimising it when it can’t be eliminated – both the amount of reversing and distances

Danger Vehicles reversing !

n using reversing aids – reversing cameras, mirrors, sensor alarms

n Installing stop blocks or buffers to prevent vehicles reversing onto people/structures

n Adopting a “reverse in – drive out” policy for parking of all vehicles

n using trained reversing assistants or banksmen/signallers.

When using reversing assistants, operators should make sure that:

n only trained reversing assistants are used to help reverse a vehicle, and both driver and assistant are trained in the use of hand signals.

n all reversing assistants are provided with clear instructions on where to

stand when giving direction to the driver to make sure the driver can see them. Similarly, reversing assistants must be able to see the driver in the mirror at all times.

The table below may be useful for giving instructions to drivers.

It is vitally important to consider the vehicle risks in your workplace, and implement a workplace traffic management plan, part of which should address reversing. For more information on managing vehicle safety go to the Health and Safety Authority’s website at www.vehiclesatwork.ie

n Before setting off, make sure vehicle mirrors are clean and adjusted, reversing lights and siren are working, reversing cameras, where fitted, are working and no items are obscuring vision.

n On arrival and before reversing: STOP AND THINK!

n Can reversing be avoided? If not:

n Try to reduce the length of reversing as much as possible.

n Observe surroundings, and avoid blindside reversing, if possible.

n No person should be in between the rear or sides of the vehicle and fixed objects such as walls, lamp posts or cars.

n Walk around the vehicle to look for obstacles or hazards if safe to do so.

n Ask questions. If possible, ask for help, but make sure reversing assistants are trained and remain in a safe area and in view at all times.

n Think and plan the path you will be taking when you are reversing. Where you are going to start and where you will finish.

n Check again that all safety features, such as reversing cameras and mirrors, are correctly positioned and that they are working properly.

n Turn your head to view everything around you, use mirrors, check both sides before reversing and continue to do so throughout the procedure.

n When safe to do so, reverse as planned.

n If there is any doubt at all, STOP, GET OUT and CHECK AGAIN.

n Reverse slowly at all times and allow for overhang at the rear of the vehicle.

n Do not overcorrect or panic, return to original position if needed.

n If you lose sight of someone or catch a glimpse of something not right, STOP IMMEDIATELY!

HGV remains steady as 2024 marketplace records 8% increase in registrations

Over the past five years there has been a steady increase in new truck registrations., more so as post-pandemic issues surrounding production and delivery supplies have petered out. Overall the Irish market remains steady but with no real changes within the sales league, with the brand’s respective standings in the table remaining much the same year to year. Not since before 2020 has there been any dramatic movement in the marketplace among the HGV manufacturers’ representation here.

According to the annual Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) figures, new Heavy Commercial Vehicle registrations (HGV) increased during 2024 by 8% (2,865) in comparison to 2023 (2,655), while new Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) sales increased by 7% (30,786) compared to 2023 (28,854).

Commenting on the figures, Brian Cooke, SIMI Director General: “Commercial Vehicles Sales, underlining the growth in employment and activity across the Irish economy, were more positive with LCV registrations finishing 7% ahead of last year and HGVs up 8% on 2023. The start of the new registration period, 251, this week, is an optimistic time for the Irish Motor Industry.”

As usual, Fleet Transport looks back on the marketplace over the last year with feedback and contributions from all of the industry stakeholders, and also looks forward to what the sector can expect for 2025.

S ca NI a

As we enter another quarter of a century, long time market leader Scania continues its upward trajectory. The Swedish brand’s Irish importer and distributor, Westward Scania, is looking forward to a major milestone as next year will mark a half century in businessthe first Scanias sold by the Strokestown, County Roscommon based company were assembled on the workshop floor there after securing the agency in 1976.

Thomas Diffley, Sales & Marketing Manager at Westward Scania provided an overall view of the new and used HGV marketplace during 2024 and into 2025 and how Scania performed nationwide. “In our market segment we calculated that there was a 5% increase in registrations for 2024 (over 16-tonnes). We were pleased with our registrations of over 730 new Scania trucks and are looking forward with confidence at a strong 2025. The introduction of GSR2 – the next level of General Safety Regulations, has brought increased costs of course, and the used market remains challenging. However, good used Scanias with a verifiable service history remain strongly in demand, even if the business model for most hauliers still seems to favour buying new.”

With regards to market trends, Thomas does not see much change for this year: “In the short-term, we don’t see any drastic shift from ICE vehicles. The rigid market has grown steadily over the last few years, aided by construction sales and we see this continuing for 2025. Lead times are back to more traditional levels of 12-14 weeks for fresh orders and customers have adapted.

On the subject of alternative drivelines, i.e. electric powered trucks and HVO and BioGas vehicles, Thomas’s take is: “In line with what we have said for the past few years, we feel that early forecasts by manufacturers have been extremely optimistic for the adoption of EVs. The haulage industry is an extremely competitive and cost conscious one, and aside from some own account operators

and a few early adopters, most hauliers are adopting a “wait and see” approach. Gas is still important, and we have much more interest in this sector given the more widespread availability of BioGas. We delivered 50 CNG powered tractor units to one customer in 2024 and have a good few inquiries as a result. Hauliers find it a more palatable choice, given the more certain range and proven technology that Scania natural gas trucks can offer. All our network can look after gas trucks, and parts back-up is similar to our diesel trucks.  The EV infrastructure is only one issue for many hauliers. Many are saying that they will wait for the technology to mature as even if a better infrastructure were rolled out, as the cost of charging and the speeds involved is likely to be prohibitive.”

“Recruitment and retention is a challenge in every business, and we strive to give all employees a good working environment, training and good terms and conditions including a pension plan.”

network, all dealers performed exceptionally well and produced some great results. Sales for both new and used trucks are still strong and we hope that continues into 2025.  We’ve seen lots of growth in recent years within many transport operators and therefore the market has been buoyant in recent time, which we hope will continue. Operators face ever increasing cost pressures and changes to legislation. The introduction of our FH Aero model range is already delivering significant fuel savings for operators and improved comfort for drivers which should help contribute to growth into 2025.”

many years and we don’t see too many changes in that area.

Westward remains focused on retaining staff as the labour shortage situation remains constant. “Recruitment and retention is a challenge in every business, and we strive to give all employees a good working environment, training and good terms and conditions including a pension plan. In Westward’s case our pension plan is now over 30 years old, and many employees who have retired in recent years are very pleased that they took it up back then.”

“Interest in alternatively fuelled trucks remains strong. Our Electric product line up has had great feedback from our Irish customers and all of our dealers have sold Electric product to a wide variety of operators, both for regional distribution and long haul, some of which have even been spotted in other parts of Europe. Our trucks have been able to run on HVO fuel for some time now and more and more operators are taking this on board to reduce their carbon footprints. The natural gas market has picked back up in the UK since the stabilisation of the price of LNG, post-COVID. We’ve seen significant orders being placed by some of the larger supermarket chains but the Irish market remains a challenge due to the laws on importation of LNG.

John McCann, Sales Manager, DAF Trucks Ireland reflects on another good result for the Dutch brand. “2024 was another positive year for new HGV registrations in Ireland. DAF increased it’s already strong position, registering 430 units in the year- an increase from 400 in 2023. Thankfully, factory lead times have stabilised and are currently operating at pre-Covid times. Body builder lead times and workshop capacity are both easing. We feel the overall market in 2025 will be down, returning closer to an industry norm of around 2,200-2,300 units. However, DAF Trucks Ireland enters 2025 with a healthy order book.”

John is concerned about the second-hand segment: “We are seeing an extremely poor performing second hand market which is reflected in residual values, something which may add to a reduced market in 2025.”

He agrees that the interest in electric power is growing but that there are stumbling blocks: “We have seen electric enquiries increasing, however many customers are adopting a cautious approach. It is positive news to see the recent expansion to the existing Zero Emission Heavy Duty Vehicle (ZEHDV) Purchase Grant Scheme. The existing ZEHDV Scheme opened in February 2024 and supports companies and enterprises wishing to buy zero emission heavy duty vehicles.

Martin Tomlinson, Head of Media & Truck Demonstration, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland is both pleased and confident heading into 2025: “We’re very pleased with the performance of our Irish

On the subject of staffing levels throughout the Volvo dealer network, Martin stated: “Always a challenge but we are doing OK with technicians. The sales network has been very stable for

The amount of customers moving to HVO is certainly on the increase, as it delivers an instant 90% saving in CO2 emissions. We have worked closely with many customers informing them of the

VOLVO Tr U c KS

Da F T r U c KS

benefits and processes which should be followed.”

“Staffing across the industry remain a major issue, technicians are still concerningly hard to recruit. However, the inclusion of qualified mechanics to the eligible work program is most welcome. As with all industries, rising costs and staffing continue to be a challenge and often the conversation point with customers.”

FUSO

Derek Roche, Head of Sales, FUSO Ireland sees market trends evolving, driven by technological innovation, sustainability pressures, and changing workforce dynamics. “At FUSO Ireland, we are leading this change with the eCanter, our fully electric truck, and a commitment to sustainable manufacturing. As these trends unfold, fleet operators will need to adapt quickly, focusing on new business models, alternative fuels, and advanced technologies to stay competitive and meet evolving regulatory demands.”

He added: “There is a fast-growing interest in electric-powered trucks. HVO and biogas is indeed growing in the HGV sector, as businesses and regulatory bodies increasingly look for cleaner, more sustainable alternatives to traditional diesel-powered trucks. Advances in battery technology are enhancing the range and reducing the charging time of electric trucks, making them increasingly practical for longer-haul operations.”

The recruiting of technicians and salespeople in the HGV sector remains a significant challenge, he said. “The industry’s reliance on highly skilled, specialised workers in both technical and sales roles, coupled with an aging

workforce and broader labour shortages, makes recruitment difficult. However, businesses are responding with competitive compensation, increased investment in training, and a focus on long-term talent development to address these challenges.”

According to Fergus Conheady, Sales Manager, Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Ireland, “the appetite for HGV sales looks strong with lots of vehicles being delivered and plenty of negotiations underway”. Regarding market trends changing Fergus added: “Looks like Ireland is bucking the registration trend compared to Europe.”

2025 is going to be a big year for Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles Ireland as it continues its roll-out of its award-winning electric powered trucks.

“Looks like Ireland is bucking the registration trend compared to Europe.”

“New Actros e600 due for launch this year has plenty of interest and the big deal with Amazon across Europe will increase the profile of the new zero-emission heavy duty truck on top of it winning the International Truck of the Year Award 2025,” says Fergus.

On the subject of alternative fuel options, Fergus is of the opinion that BioGas is limited to the selected users who have access to the available infrastructure. While HVO is being spoken about and used by some, other operators are conscious of the need to get the balance right when making HVO

statements due to the source issues associated with the fuel.

The market for the recruitment of technicians and sales people remains difficult, Fergus maintains: “It’s extremely challenging for all staff. HGV is a tough industry that does not naturally attract volumes of people!”

r EN aULT T r U c KS

“The Irish HGV market has experienced a positive trajectory through 2024, with the latest registration figures showing an 8% increase. This increase reflects a sustained level of confidence within the Irish logistics and transport sectors, despite some of the broader economic challenges facing the industry,” began Sharon Concarr, Legal Director, Management, Setanta Vehicle Importers, which distributes Renault Trucks in Ireland.

“For both new and used vehicles, we have seen a steady demand across various segments. The used market remains relatively robust, though the price of used vehicles has been affected by the UK market. In contrast, the demand for new HGVs has been buoyed by fleet renewal programmes and a growing focus on sustainability and fuel efficiency.

As for our own brand performance, we have seen steady growth, particularly in the heavy-duty and long-haul segments. Our reputation for reliability and after-sales support has driven interest, especially as fleet operators look for higher-quality units that offer lower total cost of ownership.”

“Looking ahead, we anticipate the market to continue growing, but with a focus on improving operational efficiency and sustainability. Increased

m E rc EDES-BENZ

pressure to reduce emissions and operating costs will be a key driver in 2025, especially with the growing environmental regulations in place across the EU and in Ireland. Fleet operators will continue to invest in modern, fuel-efficient vehicles, with an increased emphasis on lower emissions and technology that supports fleet management and efficiency.”

“The interest in electric-powered trucks in Ireland is still in its early stages but growing. The uptake has been slower compared to other European markets, but we expect this to change as charging infrastructure continues to improve and as electric trucks become more viable for longer hauls. However, for the time being, we are seeing more interest in electric trucks for urban or regional distribution, where charging infrastructure is more established.

As for HVO (Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil), it is beginning to gain traction, particularly as fleet operators look for sustainable alternatives to diesel. While the adoption rate is still in its early stages, we expect HVO to continue to gain ground, especially in the context of Ireland’s renewable energy targets and decarbonisation goals.

Biogas is also making its way into the conversation, particularly in the heavy-duty and waste management sectors. However, the infrastructure for BioGas is still developing in Ireland, which may limit its widespread adoption in the short term.”

“Like many other sectors, recruitment of skilled technicians and salespeople remains difficult. The demand for experienced professionals in the

commercial vehicle sector is high, but there are ongoing issues in attracting qualified candidates, particularly in technical roles such as service and maintenance technicians. The shortage of skilled workers is also putting pressure on our after-sales service and repair capabilities, though we are actively investing in training programmes and overseas recruitment to address this issue.

For sales roles, while there are plenty of candidates, finding individuals with the right blend of technical understanding and customer-facing skills continues to be challenging, particularly as customers increasingly demand more detailed knowledge of the latest technologies and sustainability options,” concluded Sharon.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

N EW HGV rEGIST raTIONS 2024 V 2023 – SI m I

Volvo FH16 Aero. Extended power.

The Volvo FH16 Aero is shaped and powered for increased productivity. The D17 powertrain offers up to 3800 Nm torque and 780 hp for heavy transport assignments. The aerodynamic design increases your energy efficiency, and the Camera Monitoring System improves your direct vision. Available with the Globetrotter XXL cab for improved driver comfort. Your power. Extended.

Contact your local Volvo Trucks dealer or visit volvotrucks.co.uk

the issue facing the engineers at Paccar australia designing the daf XG+ for the australian truck market was just how to bring together both European and north american technology, while at the same time getting the cocktail mix just right. tim Giles reckons the recipe seems to be working.

Visitors to the Brisbane Truck Show back in May 2023 got their first glimpse of the new flagship DAF XG+, an Australian adaptation of the top-ofthe-range tractor-unit for DAF Trucks in Europe, including the fitting of a 15-litre engine, rated up to 660hp. This new high powered truck, specified for the Australian truck market, in some ways harks back to a previous generation of trucks, but also demonstrates interesting future possibilities for trucks - not only ‘Down Under’ but also elsewhere in the world.

Now available for sale, this new model is powered by a Paccar PX-15 In essence this is the Cummins X15D engine, part of the fuel agnostic engine platform which Cummins announced back in 2022, and featuring a common engine block with the ability to be fuelled by diesel, hydrogen and gas combustion.

prime mover, but with a North American designed engine, bringing with it all of the caché of US iron popular among Aussie truck drivers.

The truck may also be attractive to truck buyers elsewhere and the initial preview back in 2023 stirred up a lot of enquiry interest from Europe. Paccar in Australia says it has no plans to export this big performing model to the Northern Hemisphere, but I would suspect there will plenty of interest from truck enthusiasts around Europe for this Europe/US hybrid. Watch this space as it offers 660hp while the max horsepower available from the European XG/XF ranges is 530hp.

This truck is a genuine Australian DAF, a major step forward for the Dutch truck brand which has been hamstrung by its lack of a high displacement engine in this continent. For many operations the requirement is for 15-litre engines and above, needed to be durable enough when pulling multiple trailer combinations, at well over 100-tonnes. The permitted maximum overall truck weight for the XG+ in Australia is 97-tonnes, big enough to enable the truck to pull two full length semi-trailers, in an A-double combination.

Getting a chance to drive this new model was an exciting prospect, it could well be the Australian truck driver’s dream solution; a comfortable, spacious and well-designed European cab-over

The question on my mind when climbing up into the cabin of the XG+ for the test drive was not whether this truck is any good. In fairness, DAF does not design bad trucks, Cummins do

A G’Day in the flagship DAF XG+‘Getting the Cocktail Mix Just Right’

not make bad engines and the Paccar organisation has had a long history of integrating various elements of a truck from different sources for many years.

This is just the latest challenge for the engineers at Bayswater in Melbourne, Australia and yet again they have come up trumps with something which does have all of that European comfort drivers like, plus it has that famous Cummins torque rise available under the driver’s right foot.

Importantly, it sounds right, there is not the distant murmur of a diesel engine in the cabin that one would expect from a top of the range European prime mover. The engine note is not obtrusive, but it does make enough noise to hear that familiar engine note which we have come to expect from the traditionally red engine, which in this instance is painted black.

What Paccar has done is to bring a disparate collection of elements available to them as a company, and turned them into something which the Australian truck market has been looking for, the ideal combination of both European and North American technology, in one place as a complete whole.

There have been attempts at this in the past which have had mixed results, the Iveco Powerstar being one of the most obvious examples, designed to use a European cabin, based on the Stralis, with a conventional bonnet and a choice of European or North American drive line.

The aspect of the design which surprised me was the fact that Paccar is using an engine out of the North American tradition and coupling it with a transmission straight out of the heart

of the European truck tradition, the ZF Traxon which is one of the standard AMTs used in Europe.

The solution which Paccar has come up with is to customise the interface between the engine and the transmission. Instead of using the Cummins ECU which controls the X15D, Paccar developed its own ECU to directly control the engine from the truck’s CANbus.

D ESIGN cONSIDE raTIONS

With all of these design and engineering changes, it was interesting to climb up into the cabin and experience just what this melting pot of philosophies can bring to a truck. Can the two world views actually coexist side-by-side? Can DAF replicate the kind of fully integrated system used in the European truck while introducing an engine from a different continent’s trucking philosophy?

The essential answer to this question is, of course, yes. The technical teams based both in Bayswater and at DAF HQ in Eindhoven in the Netherlands have managed to come up with a solution which is both practical and effective.

“DAF took the opportunity to optimise their new truck around the new European truck dimension law,” explained Ross Cureton, Paccar Australia Director of Product Planning. “It basically allowed the prime movers to get longer. They actually completely changed the cab structure. They did it for a few reasons. They still had to maintain the turning circle, but the length wasn’t so much the driver, whereas, in Australia, it still is. In Europe it was about aerodynamics and reducing fuel consumption. The other key piece of tech legislation which was coming, was direct vision to improve how well the driver sees out of the thing.”

Looking at the aerodynamic performance, the key difference is the radius on the front corners of the cabin. It is much larger, and then tapers outwards, only getting to full width behind the door. The most efficient design uses digital mirrors, but there are

also traditional mirrors as well. It seems the digital versions are a step too far for Australia, at this point.

“We saw an opportunity for a 15-litre, but the key was, could we get the kind of fuel efficiency improvement DAF achieves with the 13-litre, or would it undo all their good work?” added Ross. “They had built a completely new cab factory, and the project cost, all up, was about A$1 billion.”

It’s a rigorous internal process for the development of any truck with the DAF name. During the process the engineers in Eindhoven working with the new engine were concerned about the level of turbo whistle the new engine was producing. The team in Australia had to explain to their colleagues that Australian truck drivers would expect to hear that familiar sound in their truck.

Dr IVING E XPE r IEN c E

The big question for me driving the truck out on the road was probably something along the lines of ‘Is it a real Cummins?’ The familiar rapid torque rise in their engines is the element which creates the excitement drivers feel when driving a Cummins powered truck. In European engined trucks the torque does not come in quite so rapidly and acceleration is extremely smooth and unfussy. What would this engine feel like?

The answer is somewhere in between. Pushing down on the accelerator does stir it into action immediately. The engine note rises in the cabin and the truck picks up speed, in a controlled manner. This is not like some European set-ups where the feel can be a bit doughy, after driving something with a Cummins X15 under the bonnet. The ZF transmission can clearly handle the torque coming through and has been tuned to give the driver that ‘just right’ feeling halfway between a sluggish road vehicle and a race-tuned truck.

from the ground, but in reality there are only three steps up to the driver’s seat. After settling into the seat, the main impression is how good the visibility is around the truck. The cab is relatively high but the windscreen goes very low, to absolutely maximise what the driver can see in the immediate vicinity of the truck.

This impression is further enhanced by the side view system which is on a display high up on the passenger side A-pillar. The screen shows an image which goes around the front of the truck, but also down the side by the passenger door. It can be a little confusing at first but once the driver watches a pedestrian walking around the truck it becomes clear that this single screen gives the driver a broad view of everything which is going on, especially that blindspot on the passenger side.

LONG - TE rm S OLUTION

The XG+ also brings something else to the Paccar party and that is a future solution for a problem, which has been hanging over the Paccar Australia organisation for some time. The dilemma is the fact that the existing Kenworth cabover, from its sister brand, the K220, is probably the last iteration of the famed series which has been with us since 1971. Paccar needs a ready alternative to be waiting in the wings, if and when production of the K220 eventually ends. The XG+ is one of those trucks which may be able to fill that gap in truck

showrooms around Australia.

This engine does pass the test. It does sound American enough and the acceleration is also American enough, but comfortably mixed in with a state-of-theart European-style feel and response.

The impression when climbing up into the cabin of the XG+ is deceiving. It actually looks like quite a tall cab

Currently the XG and XG+ will only be available as a 6x4 prime mover, but the team at Paccar are not ruling out an 8x4 model in the future, which would certainly be attractive to New Zealand trucking operators.

Text & Photos: Tim Giles, Freelance Writer & Photographer, Currumbin, Australia (IToTYa)

although the model renewal process in the commercial vehicle sector tends to be quite extended, each year sees some new modifications and upgrades relating to design, styling, safety, comfort and efficiency. fleet transport asked representatives from the main brands to highlight what’s to come during Model Year 2025.

martin Tomlinson, Head of media & Truck Demonstration, Volvo Trucks UK & Ireland

Volvo Trucks has another busy year planned, product wise: “We had a full range update in 2024 with the introduction of the FH Aero, FH16 780, FML and facelifts to the other models. We will have an extended range FH & FH Electric solution later in the year which we announced in Autumn 2024. We expect to see these trucks at the latter end of 2025.”

John mccann, Sales manager, DaF Trucks Ireland

“This year sees the introduction of the next phase of the New Generation DAF line-up: “As part of its DAF Transport Efficiency philosophy, DAF is introducing a full suite of new innovations for its New Generation DAF series to power customer success. Driveline and aerodynamic optimisations result in up to 3% fuel efficiency gain, on top of the 10% already achieved for the New Generation DAF models, thereby once again setting a new industry-standard. The even richer specification and the new PACCAR Connect fleet management system offer additional opportunities to enhance operating efficiency. The next chapter of the New Generation DAF is available for ordering now.”

What’s New HGV? Truck brands continue to update models

Derek roche, Head of Sales, FUSO Ireland

“2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year as FUSO Ireland continues to lead the charge in sustainable transport with new developments for the eCanter. “The Next Generation eCanter will offer enhanced

range options and increased versatility, catering to a broader range of applications in the light-duty electric truck segment, supporting Ireland’s transition to greener transport solutions.”

Fergus conheady, Sales manager, mercedes-Benz commercial Vehicles Ireland

“Among the new models wearing the ‘triple-pointed-star’ emblem on the front grille for Model year 2025 include the new Actros ProCabin due this spring and the much talked about e600 Electric Actros due in early summer.

“New Actros e600 due for launch this year has plenty of interest and the big deal with Amazon across Europe will increase the profile of the new zero-emission heavy duty truck on top of it winning the International Truck of the Year Award 2025.”

Sharon concarr, Legal Director, management, Setanta Vehicle Importers, which distributes renault Trucks in Ireland

“Looking to 2025, we have some exciting new models set to launch including the Renault Red Edition Master IV which has just hit the roads in January

and the MY2025 models from Renault Trucks. Our focus is on improving fuel efficiency, safety features, and environmental performance. We are also seeing increased demand for more customisa-

ble vehicles to suit the growing variety of fleet needs. This includes solutions for urban delivery fleets, long-haul operations, and more specialised industries like waste and construction. We are also focusing on technology integration, such as telematics and predictive maintenance systems, to help our customers manage fleet operations more efficiently and proactively reduce downtime.”

New BYD EYT 2.0 Electric Yard Tractor BYD, through Motor Distributors Ltd., is set to introduces the BYD EYT 2.0 Electric Yard Tractor into the Irish market. Designed for European use with many enhanced features, it is set to increase operational productivity in environments such as ports, terminals and general distribution as they transit towards eco-friendly electric solutions. The BYD EYT 2.0 adopts a new design concept to modernize its appearance, retaining the characteristic offset cab which offers excellent comfort and visibility. Up to 75t GCW (Gross Combined Weight), the BYD EYT 2.0 stands out as a robust, yet agile and highly manoeuvrable Electric Yard Tractor. Its powerful capabilities effortlessly handle substantial containers and trailers. Equipped with the ultra-safe BYD Blade Battery, it offers a working time of up to 16 hours with quick efficient charging between shifts for optimal productivity.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

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Irish Trailer Market remains buoyant yet resilient

How did the Irish trailer market perform in 2024, and what are the expectations for 2025 and beyond. Fleet Transport caught up with all the leading brands to get their thoughts on this vital part of the transport sector.

ENNISON

Tra ILE r S

The Irish trailer market continues to remain resilient and 2024 proved no different. That’s according to Aidan Kinsella, Chief Executive Officer at Dennison Trailers. “The traditional segments for skeletal and flat trailers performed particularly well and we have seen year-on-year growth in our curtainsider sales in the Irish market. The innovative double deck semi-trailer we launched at the Road Transport Expo (RTX) in Stoneleigh, England, has gone down well in the Irish market with some good orders currently in build.”

Reflecting on the UK Trailer Market in the UK in general, Aidan said: “We were happy with our performance in the UK during 2024. The year started slowly, with a lot of customers hesitant with the election pending, but we have seen a steady increase in enquiries and orders since then. Overall the market for us was down a couple of percent, but as we start 2025, we are increasing production as demand has started to increase. We see 2025 sustaining the increased activity but there will be some challenges for our customers and ourselves around margins and the increased costs brought about by the recent UK Budget.”

Regarding further innovations, Dennison continues to strive forward with a particular focus on its award-winning Link Trailer: “We ran a very successful industry day at the Millbrook Proving Grounds in Bedfordshire, demonstrating to key industry groups the benefits of having 50% more capacity. The industry reaction is very encouraging, and they can see the environmental benefits also. Our emphasis with some partners is on showing how this modular concept and electric trucks have real benefits. Both the European Union and UK are looking at expanding the use of this type of vehicle combination. We will be trying to get the designated road network expanded in the Ireland as any new motorway since 2009 is not included in the mapping and this would make the 25.25m combination more attractive to the industry.”

Sc H m ITZ c ar GOBULL

Words from Europe’s Number 1 trailer brand Schmitz Cargobull puts a positive viewpoint on the road ahead for the ever competitive trailer market. “We’re forecasting a stable year ahead for trailer sales in Ireland despite some headwinds. While transport customers continue to face cost and margin pressures, there is a strong appetite to invest in new equipment, and we’re seeing customer loyalty converting into repeat business,” stated Stephen Mallett, Head of Sales, Schmitz Cargobull UK & Ireland.

“Schmitz Cargobull has a hard-won reputation for excellence that has established our SK.O COOL refrigerated semi-trailers as a popular choice among food distribution companies. While we’ll continue to work hard to meet their needs, we believe that we have an exciting opportunity to grow our share of overall curtainsider sales, now that we are producing models designed specifically for the UK and Ireland, such as the S.CS Freepost, S.CS Fixed Roof and S.BO Pace, in Manchester.”

“On the innovation side, less than a year after it’s official launch in Ireland, the all-electric SK.Oe, our zero-emission reefer, is undergoing successful trials with several food distribution companies. We expect demand for this efficient, ultra-quiet and environmentally friendly product to grow as more operators experience the benefits it delivers and clients look to decarbonise supply chains.”

Kr ONE Tra ILE r S

Europe’s number two trailer brand, Krone Trailers, takes a positive view of the market for new and used trailers and semi-trailers in the coming years.

“After a challenging period, we do not expect any further market declines, but rather a recovery of the market, which will be supported by our wide range of products. It is particularly pleasing that not all segments were affected by the challenges.

D

For example, we continue to see growth in the event market,” said a company spokesman.

“The situation for used trailers has recently been more difficult due to over-capacity, but we expect the market to stabilise towards the end of the year and a recovery will set in. Overall, our brand is proving to be adaptable and well positioned to operate successfully even in this volatile market.”

“2024 was characterised by a challenging economic situation that will continue in the coming months. Nevertheless, or perhaps precisely because of this, future developments were very much in focus. These included the topic of electrification, particularly generator axles and drive axles for refrigerated trailers. But the topic of digitalisation also moved the industry, as trailers are increasingly developing into digital products that can support the daily work of operators. Challenging times prompt an industry to look for new approaches and develop innovative solutions. These approaches have characterised the past year in particular and will continue to be the focus in the current year.”

“In general, we are seeing a great deal of interest in alternative drives, both for the generator axle and for the drive axle. We already have a number of electric Cool Liners on the market, both battery-powered vehicles and vehicles with a generator axle. We look forward to continuing along this path together with our customers and, above all, to expanding it,” the Krone spokesperson added.

“In conclusion and looking ahead: During 2025, we will intensify our existing collaborations with a wide range of partners, be it in the product area or with digital solutions. We are convinced that forward-looking developments can only be driven forward through the exchange of knowledge and strong partnerships. Thanks to the cooperation with Schwarzmüller, we will benefit from the associated portfolio expansion and also continue to implement the topic of lightweight construction. What is certain is that the solutions presented at the IAA Transportation 2024 will continue to be developed in 2025.”

S ETa NTa V EHI c LE Im PO r TE r S

According to Sharon Concarr, Legal Director, Management, Setanta Vehicle Importers, which distributes and markets a number of renowned trailer brands such as Kraker, D-Tec, Schmitz Cargobull and Müller, the overall demand for both new and used semi-trailers has remained relatively steady, with some positive growth in certain sectors, particularly for walking floor trailers.

“For new trailers, operators are increasingly seeking customisable solutions, with a clear demand for more durable and versatile units that can cater to varying operational needs. On the used trailer market side we are seeing a shift toward higher-quality second-hand units, driven by the desire for cost-effective solutions without compromising on safety or longevity. In terms of brand performance, we have seen a consistent demand

for our products, with some notable increases in interest from the agricultural and logistics sectors. The trend towards longer replacement cycles for fleet operators has had some impact on overall volume but has kept pricing relatively stable,” she said.

“Looking ahead, we expect the market to trend positively for 2025. The logistics sector is expected to remain the primary driver of demand. Irish fleet operators have shown resilience, and

we believe they will continue to invest in fleet upgrades, particularly where operational efficiency and total cost of ownership are key drivers. We also see increasing interest in sustainable and energy-efficient solutions, including electric-powered applications, though this remains in a nascent stage in Ireland. While e-axles and electric-powered trailers are not yet mainstream, there’s growing curiosity in their potential. We expect this trend to develop more significantly as technology matures and as fleet operators align with EU carbon reduction targets and the Irish government’s focus on climate action.”

“Electric-powered truck operators in Ireland are indeed beginning to explore electric applications, with some companies trialling electric trailers and e-axles in conjunction with their electric vehicles. However, this is still a small but growing niche in the market. We expect 2025 to be a key year for adoption, especially as Ireland continues to ramp up its infrastructure for electric mobility and green transport solutions.”

“We are currently working on several exciting new models set to launch in 2025. These include a new range of trailers focused on improving fuel efficiency. We are also exploring increased integration of telematics and fleet management systems to help operators optimise performance and reduce downtime.”

cHE r E aU

Christophe Danton, Chief Impact Officer, CSR & Communication Director at Chereau, has taken a broader look at the trailer marketplace from a European prospective. He’s offering a glass half full outlook, however. “For semi-trailers, the market slowed sharply in 2024 and we were clearly living off our order book, which was high at the end of 2023. The level of orders in 2024 was low from February to October, and we saw a slight recovery towards the end of the year, giving us 6 months’ visibility in terms of production. Beyond that, the outlook for 2025 remains uncertain.

Demand for used refrigerated semi-trailers has fallen, which has had a downward impact on prices. The combination of the new and used markets clearly reflects a decline in our customers’ business.”

“2025 looks set to be a difficult year, and we hope to see a more favourable situation in 2026. Three months ago we

thought that the recovery would start around September 2025, but today we think that it will be delayed until 2026. Our customers are lacking volume and are unable to increase their transport prices.”

“Between now and 2030, we expect the market to be artificially strong in 2028 and 2029, in anticipation of the VECTO standard and the fines that we will be forced to pass on in our sales prices, as the VECTO targets are currently unattainable for our refrigerated semi-trailers.”

* VECTO is the new simulation tool developed by the European Commission to determine CO2 emissions and fuel consumption from heavy-duty vehicles (HDVs).

Commenting on the increased interest from new electric powered truck operators regarding electric e-axles or electric applications, Christophe added: “There is growing interest for environmental reasons, but this is not being translated into concrete action for financial reasons, which are in turn linked to the economic situation of hauliers and the structural reasons linked to the fact that, although the technical solutions exist, they are still very expensive and the infrastructure is not yet in place.”

Concluding with product evolution, Chereau will continue to promote VIP insulation, which has a dual benefit. “It reduces cooling unit consumption by 20%, which is good in terms of CO2 impact for diesel units and autonomy for electric units. VIP insulation also means that vehicle performance can be extended, with an FRC ATP valid for up to 18 years, thereby limiting the number of vehicles to be produced, which is good for the environment.”

always Kassböhrer is always ready with our dedicated and diverse teams across Europe to provide the most efficient and long lasting vehicles. We will continue to develop our sustainability product portfolio in alignment with EU’s fit for 55 by 2030 and net zero targets in 2050,” explained Iffet Türken, Transport Vice President at Kassböhrer.

Regarding the move towards new electric powered trucks, operators are also expressing interest in specifying electric e-axles or electric applications, something that Kassböhrer has the answer for. “In September, we not only launched our e-reefer but also showcased our e-Trailer in cooperation with ZF TrailTrax, that can achieve up to 40% emission reductions with its e-axle for traction and battery systems.” TrailTrax integrates ZF’s AxTrax 2 e-Axle and advanced control systems to enhance trailer efficiency. This innovation aims to drastically cut CO2 emissions and fuel consumption, driving the future of sustainable transport.

A full interview with Iffet will feature in the next edition.

T IGE r Tra ILE r S

In spite of some challenges, it’s all go at  Winsford, Cheshire headquartered Tiger Trailers, which had another record year in 2024 supported by its broad product range, with sustained strong demand for rigid bodywork, double decks, box trailers, and refrigerated vehicles.  “There are many reasons to be optimistic about 2025. Customer demand for trailers remains strong, and we continue to see interest in new product development, with increasing numbers of operators  considering the benefits of Longer Semi-Trailers (LSTs), electrification,  and in some cases switching from single to double deck trailers,” explained Oliver Hammond, PR & Marketing Manager.

The Turkish manufacturer sees the market trends over 2025 to be broad and varied: “We expect it to be dynamic with all countries and transport segments having different needs. As

Regarding the transition towards electric drivetrains and future products, Oliver said that e-generative axles are big area of focus for operators and Tiger has a number of orders confirmed for built during 2025.  “These technologies represent a more environmentally friendly drive solution by packing energy recovery capabilities into a more compact footprint, helping customers towards their sustainability goals, which are increasingly important in the market and in general. We’re set to introduce dual and multi-zone variants of our refrigerated moving deck trailer, to offer alongside the single-temp we launched in Q4 2024, and we will also be enhancing our fridge rigid products.

Ka SSB ö H r E r

FLEET MARITIME

S HIPPING & F REIGHT N EWSLETTER – Compiled by

Howard Knott – howard@fleet.ie

Prior to the recent crisis, stena line and irish ferries vessels had been using the adjoining terminals at salt island in holyhead harbour for several years. during storm darragh one side of the berth suffered significant damage rendering it unusable, and, pending examination and repairs, forcing the harbour authority to close terminal 5, the other berth normally used by stena. These repairs were completed and the Port reopened on 16 January. Stena and Irish Ferries are operating revised schedules pending completion of repairs to the Irish Ferries berth, with vessels from each ferry operator taking turns to

Welsh Government sets up Task-Force following the Holyhead incident

use the operational berth.

The effective closure of the port not only hit hauliers, their customers and passengers planning to move through the port but also hit the local economy. During the closure, and following pressure from Irish Ministers Ryan and Lawless, Welsh Government Ministers and officials, together with their UK Government counterparts, played an active role in pressuring the Ports of Fishguard and Pembroke to accept additional ferries. As the scale of the disruption became clear, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport & North Wales Ken Skates announced that he would

Response to the Holyhead Port disruption

shows the versatility of the

Stena and Irish Ferries fleets

irish ferries immediately redeployed its second largest Cruise ferry, the James Joyce to its Rosslare/Pembroke route enabling significantly more freight and passenger traffic to use the route over the course of the closure. it also facilitated the normal UK landbridge traffic that would have used the combination of the dublin/ holyhead and dover/Calais routes by re-deploying the Ulysses to the dublin/ Cherbourg route. when agreement was reached with stena Ports, which operates fishguard Port, irish ferries was able to re-deploy the isle of innisfree - which normally covers the Rosslare/Pembroke route - to a new dublin/fishguard service.

Stena Line quickly chartered the Isle of Man Ferry Company vessel Benmy-Chree, and used the smaller, 1,230 lane metres vessel to operate a new freight-only route between Dublin and

Heysham. Meanwhile the Stena Estrid commenced an operation carrying cars and passengers along with freight between Dublin and the Birkenhead terminal used by her sister ships sailing to and from Belfast, while the Stena Adventurer opened a Dublin/ Fishguard service.

establish a multi-stakeholder task force to investigate what had happened and examine what measures might be taken to enable the smooth flow of goods and passengers between Wales and Ireland.

The Irish Exporters Association and others also pressed the Irish Government to not only facilitate an Irish input to the Welsh group discussions, but also to establish its own task force to look at medium-and longer-term options involving all the Irish Sea corridors. This work may also feed into discussions on Irish ports policy which is currently underway.

Each of these additional services had a voyage time considerably longer than the three-and-a-half-hour voyage on the Dublin/Holyhead route, meaning that the vessels could only operate one round-trip each day, unlike the twice daily Dublin/Holyhead rotation. Once services at Holyhead resumed, all the new services stopped. CLdN continued to operate its Dublin/Liverpool and Dublin/ Heysham services during the closure.

Once Holyhead Port came back into action Irish Ferries took the Ulysses off the Dublin/Cherbourg route and sent her to the Fayard Shipyard in Denmark

for her annual refit. Operation of the route was taken over by the Ro-pax Isle of Inisheer. This vessel had recently been acquired by Irish Ferries and was intended for the Dover/Calais route. Speaking a week following the resumption of Holyhead services, a spokesman from the Irish Customs Service remarked that the normal 70% unaccompanied and 30% accompanied trailer flow on and off the ferries had reversed, with significantly greater accompanied trailer volumes than previously. This was put down to the ferry companies having to restrict unaccompanied trailer numbers being accommodated aboard the ferries due to the short turnaround time at Holyhead, and the requirement there for additional port operatives to speed up operations.

irish Continental Group has terminated the charter contract with the vessel owners, tallink Group of the Cruise ferry which has sailed for the last 18 months as James Joyce for irish ferries. the vessel has resumed her original name as star and since 9 february has sailed on tallink’s Paldiski/Kapellskar route. she replaces two smaller vessels on the route between Estonia and sweden with twice daily round trip sailings and giving significantly more freight capacity.

Following Irish Ferries’ acquisition from P&O Ferries of the Spirit of Britain Dover/Calais route specialist vessel, it

Irish Ferries returns chartered James Joyce while Stena retains Bore Song

has been renamed Oscar Wilde. A traffic sharing agreement with P&O Ferries enables freight traffic to sail on a “turn up and go” basis at either Dover or Calais Ports, meaning the Irish Continental Group has been in a position to re-deploy the Isle of Innisfree cruise ferry and Isle of Inisheer Ro-Pax on other routes. Both vessels have had ramp modifications to facilitate this change.

Following her introduction on Stena Line’s new Dublin/Liverpool route in February 2024, the charter of the 3,000 lane metre freight ferry Bore Song has been extended to almost the end of 2025. The vessel continues to sail from

Monday to Saturday on a daily round trip

schedule with 6.30 am departures from Dublin.

During the second half of 2025 Stena will also bring into service a pair of freight ferries that are currently under construction in China. These are designed to operate the Line’s Belfast/ Heysham route with maximum capacity and minimum environmental cost. Their introduction would free up the existing vessels operating elsewhere on the network and it has been speculated that they could take over from Bore Song on the Liverpool service. This would enable the carrier to give the twice daily frequency promised at the introduction of that service.

US Dockworkers strike averted at the last minute

after months of negotiations, the international longshoremen’s association (ila) and the United states Maritime alliance (UsMX) have reached a tentative agreement for a new six-year Master Contract. Pending ratification, this pivotal deal ensures continuity in operations and averts a potential work stoppage that loomed over East and Gulf Coast ports.

The current contract, initially set to expire on 16 January, will remain in effect until the ILA convenes its Wage Scale Committee for a ratification vote, and USMX members finalise their approval. Both sides expressed optimism in a joint statement: “This agreement protects current ILA jobs and establishes a framework for implementing technologies that will create more jobs while

following the implementation of a ceasefire in hostilities between israel and the hamas militants in Gaza, Yemen’s houthi rebels said that they will cease attacks on israel and on shipping in the Red sea. these attacks had started shortly after the hamas massacre which took place in israel on 6 october, 2023. they have reshaped the

modernising East and Gulf coasts ports –making them safer and more efficient. It will also create the capacity they need to keep our supply chains strong.”

What does this mean for the industry? The deal strikes a careful balance between job security and technological innovation. With increasing demand for operational efficiency at ports, the incorporation of advanced technologies has been a hot-button issue. But, rather than clash, both parties see this agreement as a bridge, merging tradition with innovation. The statement highlighted the agreement as “a win-win” for workers, businesses, and consumers alike, emphasising its role in strengthening the American economy’s position on the global stage.

As supply chain disruptions continue

to ripple through various industries, this agreement couldn’t come at a better time. Ports have been pivotal in managing the movement of goods, and any disruption would have had cascading effects. By securing this deal, the ILA and USMX are not just safeguarding jobs but also ensuring the resilience of U.S. supply chains in an ever-volatile market.

However, details of the agreement remain under wraps for now. This strategic move allows union members and USMX representatives time to digest and deliberate before casting their votes. It’s a sign of respect for the democratic process that governs labour negotiations, giving every stakeholder a chance to weigh in on what could be a transformative contract for the industry.

Carriers remain cautious about return to Suez Canal

global supply chain as major container and crude oil tanker lines connecting asia, Europe, the Mediterranean and Usa have diverted away from the region and on to longer voyages around the horn of africa. the longer journey has added between six and twelve days to port-to-port transits with the consequent requirement for more vessels to maintain service levels and the consumption of additional fuel. these vessel diversions have also meant that rates and surcharges on

goods being shipped have increased significantly. the diversion of the vessels has also led to a very considerable drop in revenue for the suez Canal Company and for other actors in the Egyptian economy.

At the time of writing, serious concerns exist about whether the ceasefire will hold and the attacks on shipping start again. Only CMA-CGM of the major container shipping lines continues to operate some of their Services through the Red Sea.

CLdN has completed the first part of a multimillion-pound investment in its Brocklebank Terminal at the Port of Liverpool, and vessels have resumed calling at that terminal having operated from the former P&O Ferries terminal at nearby Gladstone Dock while the work was in progress. These investments are part of CLdN’s plans to increase capacity on its Liverpool-Dublin route.

The infrastructure upgrades at the terminal will improve the use of space and enhance the flow of cargo movements, while a new gate set-up that improves drivers’ facilities, and a new terminal operating system will increase efficiency and lead to an improved customer experience for dropping off and picking up cargo.

The enhancements to the quayside will also facilitate the use of the terminal by larger, more environmentally friendly ships.

Commenting on the investment Gary Walker, Chief Operating Officer of CLdN RoRo, said: “These upgrades are part of the CLdN group strategy of investing in its UK port infrastructure and further reducing the carbon footprint of its operations. CLdN is a leading provider of

CLdN completes Liverpool investment and launches new vessels

freight services across the Irish Sea and this investment will further improve our service to customers.”

Operating through the new Liverpool Terminal will enable CLdN to redeploy vessels within the overall fleet and to continue the offload of the smaller and older Seatruck vessels.

CLdN has launched the 234 metre Con-Ro vessel Leonine at the Hyundai Mipo Dockyard in South Korea. This launch follows that of a sister ship Chaumine, with both vessels scheduled to enter service during the first half of 2025.

Each vessel is equipped with two conventional main engines as well as two shaft generators of 6 mW each, which can be used for generating power or for electric propulsion. The power arrangement aboard the vessels offers a high degree of flexibility, allowing for a seamless integration of new fuels, fuel cells as well as battery technology in the future. Compared to the earlier vessels of similar overall design, the 8,000-lane metre Celine and Delphine are the largest vessels in the CLdN fleet. The new vessels will further reduce CO2 emissions by 40%, while having the same cargo capacity.

CLdN is continuing to operate the vessel Delphine with a deck-mounted rotor sail which potentially could reduce fuel consumption by up to 5%, and expects to undertake a full evaluation process on the installation within the next few months. Depending on the outcome the company will consider whether it makes sense to fit similar units to other vessels in the fleet.

While CLdN has always operated its vessels on a Con-Ro basis carrying

containers double stacked on Mafi trailers aboard its ferries it has, in recent months, made a distinct shift to carrying these units on Lo-Lo vessels alongside the Freight Ferries. The Line says that it has found that operating this way enables better and faster stowage of the vessels with more trailers.

CLdN has now placed an order with its established builder HD Hyundai Mipo in Ulsan, South Korea for ten new-build Lo-Lo vessels. The Line currently operates a three times weekly Dublin/Rotterdam Lo-Lo service using the chartered vessels Pava J and Andromeda J, each with a 974 TEU capacity. These vessels use the CLdN owned CLdN Distriport in Rotterdam which was acquired in 2023 and is located close to the Line’s Ro-Ro Terminal. Use of this terminal enables CLdN to work in an un-congested location and avoid the delays that competing lines suffer in Rotterdam.

Currently CLdN has an operation in place enabling it to offload containers that would have shipped on its Ringaskiddy to Zeebrugge service onto the BG Freight services from the nearby Cork Container Terminal to Rotterdam.

The first of the new order of the 1,127 TEU Lo-Lo vessels will be delivered to CLdN in January 2027, with the balance of the order being delivered at a rate of one vessel every four months.

ISO

the doyle shipping Group owned and operated Greenore Port has been granted full planning permission for a development designed as a support base for the operation and maintenance of offshore wind turbine arrays to be installed in irish sea waters.

The €25 million base development on the port owned 4.99-hectare site will include warehouses, office space as well as open work areas. The Nearshore works include the dredging at the quayside to a 4 metre below chart datum depth, a 70-metre quay wall and a floating pontoon for berthing crew transfer vessel. The Greenore operation, which will work alongside the established port business is expected to employ over 200 personnel.

Included in the Sligo County Development Plan are proposals to support the development of Sligo Port The Port has two jetties which presently handle cargoes of coal, timber, scrap metal and fish meal. The development plan seeks to improve land infrastructure links, and both road and rail access to retain the facility’s viability as a freight port.

Belfast Harbour has unveiled a new Port strategy document setting out plans to spend more than £300 million in capital projects across the Port and Harbour Estate over the next five years.

£90m will be invested in a new Deepwater Quay, which is expected to be delivered by 2027-28, making it capable of handling some of the world’s largest cruise vessels, and expanding the port’s capacity and capabilities for offshore wind turbine assembly an installation.

Stena Line operations at Belfast Port continue to grow with almost 600,000 freight units being shipped to and from Cairnryan, Heysham and Liverpool in 2024 alongside 1.7 million passengers

and 600,000 cars. Commenting on the figures, Joe O’Neill, CEO of Belfast Harbour (pictured) said: “Stena Line is one of Belfast Harbour’s most important strategic partners and should be commended for achieving record freight volumes in what was a relatively flat year for the wider economy. This

success reflects the quality of service offered by Stena Line and its willingness to respond to customer demand with new investment. We are excited by the potential to increase freight volumes further on Stena Line’s Belfast routes when the company’s two NewMax vessels are introduced.”

The Spanish State-owned shipbuilder Navantia has completed its takeover

PORT PORTALS

of the Harland and Wolff operations in Belfast and three other UK locations. This takeover is expected to secure the future for the Belfast operation.

Dunkerque-Port has reported a 5% growth in maritime traffic in 2024. Standout traffic increases were achieved in the liquid and solid bulk sectors with growths of 4% and 7% respectively, as well as an 8% increase in Ro-Ro traffic

on the DFDS Dunkerque/Dover route, supported by investment in new port infrastructure. Freight traffic on the DFDS Rosslare route increased by 22% where there was also a significant development of export business for trade vehicles.

Dunkerque Port continues to develop its Deep-Sea container handling operations and has planned the introduction of a rail terminal in the port that will further modal shift by 2026.

The ports of moerdijk and Duisburg are now linked by a twice-weekly container barge service. The service is operated as a partnership between the North Sea based A2B-online, the Lidl owned Tailwind Shipping Line and WEC Line whose container service operations link Iberia and Northern European Ports, including Dublin. The service is operated by the inland barge intermodal specialist, Danser Group.

The successful Road Transport Expo is heading north to Glasgow later this year with the launch of RTX Scotland in 2025. Here’s what attendees can expect from the show.

The organisers of the successful Road Transport Expo (RTX) are expanding their unique ‘All about the truck’ show formula to Scotland, with the launch of a new event in 2025 – RTX Scotland. This show is a sister event to the original Road Transport Expo held annually at NAEC Stoneleigh (24-26 June 2025). Event media partner Fleet Transport caught up with Vic Bunby, Divisional Director at Commercial Motor publisher Road Transport Media, organiser of RTX.

How did the idea for rTX Scotland come about?

Plans for RTX Scotland have been in the works for several years, said Vic, explaining that they stemmed from the same initial conversations that led to the creation of the award-winning original RTX event.

“When we were first talking to manufacturers about RTX, they expressed a keen interest in having a dedicated event for the Scottish transport industry. Scotland is a distinct market with its own unique needs and challenges, so we knew there was an opportunity to create something tailored specifically for this audience.”

Vic added that the August 2019 acquisition of CM’s sister title, Transport News, a leading Scottish industry publication, further solidified Road TransportMedia’s commitment to the region and its understanding of the local market.

‘Taking the High Road’ - Road Transport Expo ventures North to host RTX Scotland 2025

Will rTX Scotland run every year?

“We want it to, but let’s see how it goes in year one. We are feeling very confident

though, as we know people want this show, both potential exhibitors and potential visitors, and we’ll be able to announce very soon after the 2025 event if it will go ahead annually.”

How have manufacturers and exhibitors responded to the launch of rTX Scotland?

Vic stated that the initial response from the industry has been very positive, with major manufacturers and brands expressing keen interest in participating in the event.

“We’re still in the process of finalising the exhibitor line-up, but we’re confident we’ll have a strong representation from across the industry,” he said. “The manufacturers see this as a unique opportunity to engage more directly with their Scottish customer base –which they haven’t had for a long time.

How can industry visitors and exhibitors get involved?

Vic explained that visitor registration for RTX Scotland will open in mid-2025, with free entry for all attendees. (See box, far right, for how to register your interest).

“We’d also love to hear from any interested operators that feel they are leading the charge when it comes to key industry topics such as decarbonisation or vehicle safety. We’d love to feature a range of operators, large and small, on our popular Knowledge Zone stage. Those interested in exhibiting can contact our sales team to discuss available stand options and pricing. There will also be sponsorship opportunities, should this be of interest. We want RTX Scotland to be a true collaboration

between ourselves and the industry. We’re open to ideas and suggestions from exhibitors and visitors alike, as we work together to create an event that truly serves the needs of the Scottish transport sector.”

What can visitors expect at rTX Scotland?

“RTX Scotland takes place on 19-20 November 2025 at the SEC in Glasgow, which is easily accessible by car and public transport options,” said Vic. “RTX Scotland will be held in a 5,000 sq m indoor exhibition space, showcasing the latest vehicles, equipment and innovations from a wide range of manufacturers and suppliers. Visitors can expect to see everything from trucks, bodybuilders and trailers to telematics systems, parts and ancillary services. In addition to the exhibition, the event will also host a robust conference programme on its Knowledge Zone stage, featuring a variety of speakers, panel discussions, and interactive sessions. The organisers will be working hard to secure the participation of key industry figures, including Scottish operators and government representatives. “We want to create an environment where people can not only see the latest products and technology, but also engage in meaningful discussions about the challenges and opportunities facing the Scottish transport sector.”

“As with the original RTX event in England, creating the ideal environment for networking will be high on the agenda. There will be plenty of places to relax and chat with colleagues and business contacts, as well as an informal networking drinks reception for everyone on the first evening,” concluded Vic.

With Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

Silver Lining for Commercial Vehicle Show 2025 as it celebrates 25 years since its inception

The annual Commercial Vehicle Show has for decades highlighted present and future happenings in road freight, transport, distribution, and logistics. Since its inception in 2000, it has evolved into one of the largest and most influential gatherings of commercial vehicle manufacturers, dealers, distributors, and suppliers. This event is where the industry’s leaders—senior decision-makers, directors, managers, and engineers—come to see the latest innovations in vehicles, trailers, equipment, and cutting-edge technology.

For those who keep the wheels of industry turning, this is the unmissable event of the year. It’s where to gain essential insights, uncover next-level practices, and stay ahead of the toughest challenges and emerging trends.

The 2025 CV Show runs from 29 April until 1 May, at the National Exhibition Centre (NEC) in Birmingham. As always, Fleet Transport will be reporting from the event. As the build-up continues we feature here some exhibitors to visit on stand.

“The Commercial Vehicle Show 2025 is on track to be our most impactful event yet, with a record number of

visitors already signed up - and they’re looking for solutions just like yours!,” said a spokesperson for the event. “ We’re pleased to highlight that 88% of registered visitors have direct purchasing responsibility – meaning the people attending have the authority to make buying decisions on the spot. And the fact that 64% manage fleets of 50+ vehicles – from national logistics firms to major fleet operators, it means the right buyers are here. This is your opportunity to put your brand in front of the people who matter. Whether you’re launching new technology, showcasing vehicle solutions, or offering fleet management tools, the Commercial Vehicle Show is where business gets done.”

A company making its show premiere will be Kia UK, where on stand 5C95 it plans to launch its brand-new and disruptive electric van business.

Dominating Kia’s stand will be the PV5 – the Korean brand’s first fully electric van, where more detailed specification and other customer-centric information will be announced. First seen at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in 2024, Kia announced its new commercial vehicle business with the acronym, PBV.

This is an overarching naming strategy referring to ‘Purpose Built Vehicle’ and ‘Platform Beyond Vehicle’, highlighting the methodologies and technologies used in these pioneering vehicles to satisfy the varying needs of commercial customers.

The PV5 electric-only van is built on a dedicated EV platform and is designed for work across various sectors including delivery, utilities and ride hailing. The PV5 will be available in three main forms; a panel van, a chassis cab and a passenger variant. The chassis cab is particularly unusual in the mid-size van market and offers further scope for diverse customer needs and customisation.

Mike Costain, Event Director for the Commercial Vehicle Show, commented on the arrival of a new LCV brand: “We are absolutely delighted that Kia has chosen The Commercial Vehicle Show to debut its highly anticipated electric van. This event remains the premier platform for manufacturers to showcase cutting-edge innovations, and Kia’s presence highlights the growing momentum of electrification in the commercial vehicle sector. We look forward to seeing how this new launch is received by the industry and how it contributes to the future of sustainable transport.”

Paul Philpott, President and CEO of Kia UK said, “This is an incredibly exciting time for Kia, as we build an entirely new commercial business to deliver world-class electric vans to UK

customers. Our first electric van, the PV5, arrives at an important time for the UK, amid an unprecedented transition towards electric power across both the car and van markets. Our strategy is to approach the market confidently but responsibly, launching in a phased and progressive manner to ensure each element of our commercial vehicle business is exacted with the same industry-leading standards we’re known for in the passenger car industry. This will cover dealer sales excellence, customer care, service and experience. We invite all van operators, users and drivers to come along to the show to see the Kia PV5 for themselves and learn more about how we’ll deliver Kia Professional Business Vans.”

to our unrivalled line-up of vans and conversions.”

Following the UK debut of the New Master at last year’s show, the largest vehicle in the Renault LCV range will once again be a star of the sizeable Renault stand, returning to the NEC with a host of accolades to its name. These include the International Van of the Year 2025 title that was awarded in September by a panel of experts representing 25 European countries, including Fleet Transport, which holds the chairperson position since 2013. The IVOTY jury was especially impressed by New Master’s completely new design, the amount of innovation and level of technology, and the tangible improvements in aerodynamics, all of which gave it an edge over the other contenders.

Renault returns with a significant presence at the CV Show, the brand showcasing its multi-award-winning LCV line-up that is stronger than ever and notably offers a fully electric version of every model.

With pure electric E-Tech variants of the compact Kangoo, mid-size Trafic and now, the range-topping New Master available, there is a 100% electric Renault LCV to meet the requirements of all business customers. CV Show visitors will be able to experience the benefits of all three together with their highly efficient ICE counterparts.

In advance of the show, Seb Brechon, Head of LCV and PRO+ at Renault UK, said: “The CV Show is a must-attend highlight in the industry calendar, and we are exceptionally pleased to be back. It is a fantastic environment in which to demonstrate all the benefits of our LCV range, showcasing just why our vehicles have won so many awards and how their blend of versatility, convenience and affordability provide an excellent business solution. We are really looking forward to catching up with our industry friends and introducing visitors

The fourth-generation New Renault Master is designed to go further, carry more and cost less while delivering enhanced efficiency, increased usability, and greater space and comfort. Boasting a distinctive new design, it is available in a range of versions that are designed to meet the requirements of a wide array of business users. Spanning load spaces of 11 to 14.8 cubic metres, with a 40mm wider opening at the sliding side door and 100mm longer load, the New Master’s greater payload capacity and volume redefine convenience in its class.

Inside, the New Master offers a premium, more car-like experience with a 25% increase in total cabin storage, as well as Renault’s intuitive OpenR Link multimedia system. Standard on every model in the range, it features a 10-inch screen with wired and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity. The system can be further enhanced with the optional availability of Google built-in on the Extra trim level.  The high-tech theme continues with the New Renault Master’s set of 20 driver

assistance systems that maximise safety for the people in and around it. Its active safety features include its lateral stability, automatic emergency braking and trailer stability assist systems. It also comes with Intelligent Speed Assist, to help the driver stay within the speed limit.

rHINO Pr ODU c TS Rhino Products, based at Ellesmere Port, Cheshire sees the Commercial Vehicle Show as an important event in its annual trade events calendar, according to Maxine James, Group Sales Director. “The Commercial Vehicle Show is a cornerstone event for Rhino, providing an unmatched platform to showcase our product range to a highly targeted audience. It gives us the chance to engage directly with customers, partners, and industry leaders, strengthening relationships and reinforcing Rhino’s position as a leader in the commercial vehicle sector by demonstrating our innovative and high-quality products.”

Maxine added: “As the largest event of its kind in the UK, the show is a vital opportunity for Rhino to drive brand awareness and fuel business growth. Our expert sales and marketing team will be on hand throughout the event, ready to answer questions, provide in-depth product demonstrations, and discuss bespoke solutions tailored to individual businesses. Whether you are looking to explore the latest innovations, solve a specific challenge, or simply learn more about what we offer, we’ve got you

covered. But that’s not all. We’ve added a fresh twist to our stand this year, creating an experience that’s as informative as it is inviting. Don’t just hear about it – come and see for yourself on stand 5F50. We can’t wait to meet you,” she said.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

Shortly after the foundation of the State, the new Government set about safeguarding external and internal transport in the country. An airline and a ferry company were created. CIE was established to provide passenger and transport services (for business and the public).

What the Government tried to do was to protect its citizens from being marooned on an island and enable getting around it. While establishing a number of State companies to guarantee the security of transport links, both internally and externally, was a good idea at the time, it had a negative effect in terms of creating monopolies. Over recent decades these monopolies have largely been unwound, and competition has arrived, giving more flexibility and value.

While setting up the State transport companies may not have been wise in the long run, it showed that the Government was aware of the real risk an island like Ireland faced in being cut-off or isolated. It demonstrated real vision on the part of the founding fathers. In the intervening years we have had many crises that effected the welfare of the country, ranging from oil shortages to the Foot & Mouth outbreak, and more recently the Covid pandemic. None of these crises were predicted and

it required an immediate and critical response by the State to limit any damage to the economy.

In general we have always felt confident that in any crisis that might threaten the economy, the State would provide whatever assistance was required, probably in direct financial support. However along came Storm Darragh that wreaked havoc on power lines, leaving many without water and electricity. During the clean-up it emerged that the piers at Holyhead had been damaged, and the Port would be out of commission for a day or so. So, ferry services were halted in the short term. Inconvenient obviously, but the road haulage sector and the logistics industry in general are resilient and this interruption in service would not cause a lot of difficulty, would it?

Wrong, wrong, wrong. The problem was much worse than thought at first, with hauliers and shipping agents being drip-fed with information. All the while and in anticipation of the Port opening, dropped trailers kept building up in every spare parking spot available in and around Holyhead. Then came the news that few had anticipated - Holyhead Port would be closed until at least the middle of January.

Should a problem like this have been anticipated? Well, I am sure many people had some thoughts of this becoming a prolonged problem, possibly based on a past personal experience. In my own case I dropped a trailer in Rosslare one evening during the Covid epidemic. As I was taking the number plate off the trailer, I got a strong “heat” smell

Holyhead - A Welsh Port or a Strategic Asset?

nearby, obviously from the hot brakes of a recently dropped trailer parked alongside. It occurred to me that if this heat led to a fire it could be catastrophic and would likely close the port for a time. As I was driving out of the Port I thought, what if a truck turned over on the downhill approach to the Port? It would mean disruption for sure. The point being that as an island nation, there are lots of areas and situations where our supply chains are vulnerable.

In the weeks after the Holyhead disruption, the Government promised to setup a Task Force to see how our reliance as a nation could be protected. As far as I know it will be part of the new Program for Government. Such a task force should have broad parameters and terms of reference. It must include road transport operators. Were it not for them the crisis at Christmas would have been much worse. The practical experience gained from negotiating around this recent situation will be essential in planning how safeguards can be put in place to avoid or minimise any future threat or event.

Compensation has been suggested and requested by the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA) for its members impacted by the Holyhead closure. Some hauliers have encountered serious extra cost and there may be some companies in danger of going out of business. While the then Transport Minister Lawless was complementary to the sector for the way they responded to the crisis, he was a little lukewarm about compensation for hauliers. This is something the new Government must act on, and quickly.

Text: Sean Murtagh – sean@fleet.ie

One of the many things that Dean Jonathan Swift is credited with writing, (perhaps in an eighteenth-century version of a Tweet (X)), was a description of the miserable time that he had waiting at the Port of Holyhead for the ferry to take him back to Dublin. The surprise, on reading his piece, was not his description of the waiting facilities there, which many of us of a certain age can identify with, but that three hundred years ago, Holyhead was the key link between Britain and Ireland for both passengers and goods.

From Where I’m Sitting –Howard Knott – howard@fleet.ie

Holyhead closure exposed Ireland’s key Supply Chain weakness

The collapse of some elements of the ferry berths at Holyhead during Storm Darragh, which resulted in the immediate closure of the port, exposed just how important that sea-bridge with Dublin is. Stena Line and Irish Ferries were each operating four round trips daily, giving 20,000 lane metres of trailer and car space and accommodation for up to 10,000 passengers in each direction.

The response to what turned out to be a six-week shutdown at the port by hauliers, ferry companies and the Junior and Senior Ministers of Transport, Dail Deputies, Ministers Eamonn Ryan and James Lawless was quick and fully committed. Significant pressure was put on port owners and operators. Stena Line moved with speed to restore some of the facilities, while the same company, which owns Fishguard Port, was able to accommodate temporary services from Dublin, something that was only possible following completion of a major project of developing the berth in the South Wales Port. Pressure was also exerted by the Irish Ministers on their Welsh and British opposite numbers to encourage the Port of Milford Haven to allow Irish Ferries operate a daily service to and from Dublin. Meanwhile freight and passenger traffic through Rosslare Europort, not only witnessed Fishguard and Pembroke services increasing normal volumes by 40% for the time of year, but services to and from French Ports exploded equally as much, with much of the UK Landbridge traffic moving to the direct routes.

On 16 January, Stena re-opened one of the two berths at Holyhead and ferry services to and from Dublin resumed operation. At time of writing Stena is operating four round trips daily on the route and Irish Ferries, two. That figure will increase to four as demand increases and vessels return from winter maintenance.

So can we assume that the crisis is over, with the second Holyhead berth back in action in a month or two?

Actually no it isn’t!

Leaving to one side the current restrictions on the number of unaccompanied trailers that can be accommodated on each sailing due to time pressure at the port, the whole event exposes the fact that three centuries after Swift, Irish trade and prosperity has an unhealthy reliance on the Port of Holyhead. It’s good that the Welsh authorities have said that they will convene a working group to look at the issues at the three Welsh Ferry Ports of Holyhead, Fishguard and Pembroke, but it is surely far more important that the Irish Government not only links with the Welsh efforts but does a serious assessment of the shipping options available to Irish exporters and importers. There’s a new National Ports Policy in the administrative works, perhaps it should be re-visited to ensure that it does take fully into account what would happen if Holyhead or any of the Welsh ports were closed for an extended period. And what about the swing from accompanied trailers to unaccompanied? Will Irish ports have sufficient trailer parking space to accommodate this?

Does Liverpool have a much stronger role in developing a secondary sea-bridge? CLdN has moved to an upgraded terminal facility for its Dublin ferry service. Will that be able to accommodate larger, lower cost vessels at the berth, and would such vessels be capable of being discharged and re-loaded quickly enough to facilitate a daily round trip? Could there be merit in developing the existing Dublin/Liverpool LoLo container service to run perhaps twice daily and offer a multimodal service linking with container rail services operating at both ports?

The Holyhead berth collapse was a real disaster, but it was also a wake-up call for those of us on an offshore island off an offshore island.

the success or failure of a company lies to a significant extent on the ability to tender and gain new business, as well as retain current work that is reviewed or tendered for on an ongoing basis.

To be successful in any tender process one must firstly be in the process. So consider what steps to take so that tender opportunities arise. On the other hand, with existing customers it’s important to keep close contact so that any reviews of work and rates will not escalate to an external tender process. For annual tender customers it’s essential to have the groundwork done so that renewal is achieved at realistic rates.

When attempting to bid for new work via public tenders, this requires a business to be compliant with any pre-qualification checks. It is worthwhile to network, cold call or market the business in order to be on the preferred service provider list of procurement managers. As a rule Irish transport firms are not good at positioning themselves in the market for new tenders, and their processes for tendering are often weak.

Step one is the positioning of the business to be in a strong position to tender and having the groundwork done so that the business will be among those shortlisted to tender. In the tendering process itself, concise facts on what is being costed should be obtained. Key factors such as volumes and seasonality of loads, issues re collection and delivery points and specific equipment and standards should be factored in while ensuring a profit margin is achievable. Tendering without all relevant information means either being non-competitive or worse - gaining work that is loss making.

In any tendering process the lowest cost is not always the successful tender

option. This is proven by the facts that Ireland’s most successful and profitable transport firms are run by business professionals, qualified through years of perfecting business management, and experts in building and developing relationships with people. While their approaches with customers, suppliers and employees may all differ, their ability to people manage and communicate is what sets them apart and directly influences their business bottom line.

Large contract tenders are normally dealt with by senior staff but not direct owners or shareholders of the business. So, while the bottom line is important to procurement managers there is also a very important position in negotiation for service, continuity of business relationship, the reduction of business risk and the ability to assist with unforeseen trading issues when needed. No company will outsource its logistics functions to a transport firm that does not support business continuity or put the customers reputation in jeopardy, regardless of how competitive the price is. Remember that people do business will like-minded people, and empathy and understanding at final tender meetings goes a long way.

A major question is whether the tendering transport firm can fulfil the contract requirements by way of plant and equipment, as well as specialist staff. Potential customers expect a quick turnaround time from tender to contract commencement but do not consider the difficulty now in sourcing staff and providing them with the appropriate training. Accountant reassurances that both asset finance and working capital and staffing are in place can be crucial to success.

In the tendering process customers will try to allow tolerance on total

Winning Tenders Successfully

volumes, peak demands, waiting times and fuel cost adjustments - all key factors in either maintaining margin or operating at a loss. Careful presentation of tenders can offset this issue and allow a business to cost competitively but also give the required peace of mind to cover exceptional circumstances.

Finally, for unsuccessful applicants, understanding the reasoning behind the lack of success in winning a tender is important. Is it down to lack of preparation, lack of effort, incorrect costings, or just a gut feeling that the business fit is not right? All winners assess why they were not successful in order to make changes that will positively impact on future trading. Can rates and costs that are out of line with the competition be rectified, or does the company need to reposition itself away from some markets?

When a tender is successfully won it is vitally important that the actual criteria set out and costed for are a reality. The customer will very quickly review performances but likewise the business itself should continuously monitor actual versus forecast figures. If issues result in a negative impact on the bottom line then communication as to how operationally and financially this impact will be resolved is crucial. Proper negotiation, even during the life span of a contract, can yield increased margin and directly influence future success.

The most annoying aspect of tendering is where a firm is used to as a means to benchmark or reduce rates being given to current service providers, with the awarding company having no intention of changing supplier. Very often new or innovative ways of carrying out the work is simply fed back and prompts are given to the preferred transport firm to assist in their proposal. The process of tendering by some large businesses that have own-account transport fleet can unfortunately be a ploy to address inflexibility in their workforce. Ultimately real savings can never be explored unless full commitment is achieved from both parties.

Text: Donal Dempsey – donal@fleet.ie

last october, the Road safety authority (Rsa) hosted its annual international Road safety Conference in dublin Castle, with ‘driver distraction’ the main theme. the event highlighted the urgent need to eliminate distractions for drivers while behind the wheel. it featured national and international experts on mobile phone usage and its impact on road safety. Expert presenters outlined attitudes and addictive behaviour towards smart phone use which indicated that the ‘fear of missing out (foMo)’ on messages, calls and notifications while driving is a significant motivation behind this dangerous behaviour.

A consistent theme from the conference was the key role of enforcement in deterring distracted driving. Also highlighted were the range of distractions drivers experience beyond mobile phone use, and the importance of targeting these, including in relation to strategic vehicle design. Therein lies a significant problem, one which is not related to mobile phone or gadget usage while driving. It’s the emergence of the touch screen and how it has evolved to encompass practically all of the internal workings of the vehicle.

In today’s cars, touch screens dominate the centre console area of the dash, many with elaborate features that all sound well and good but can lead to serious driver distraction consequences. Even more so for drivers in right hand drive countries. Elements such as vehicle performance data, audio entertainment, connectivity, navigation, climate control and safety assistance modules are among the ever increasing engagements available to the fingertips. While some of these items can be operated remotely on the steering wheel, the big issue is that those fingers on the left hand are not so flexible for these type of delicate operations. As 90% of the world’s population is right handed and only 1% ambidextrous, intricate movements

Touching on Road Safety –

‘Put your left hand out’- An

Issue

such as required with the left hand on these rather sensitive touchscreens is becoming an increased danger to drivers. With less intuitiveness, there is more time spent with eyes off the road, therefore distracting the driver even more.

From the manufacturer’s perspective, having all these aspects of the car’s workings contained within one big screen economic and design benefits, with less buttons and knobs to fit inside, but should that be a priority ahead of safety?

Notably two report findings from Sweden and Britain have highlighted this matter. Touchscreens and distracting infotainment systems now dominate almost all new car models. Tests carried out by a Swedish motoring magazine in 2022 found it took drivers much longer to carry out basic tasks on touchscreens compared to older cars with physical controls.

Research by British specialists TRL in 2020 found that mobile phone interfaces for car touch screens, known as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, reduced reaction times as much as drink or drug driving does. Earlier research has shown that proprietary infotainment systems made by car companies are even more distracting.

Decision makers at the European Union are becoming more aware of the issue and are being encouraged to request manufacturers to bring back some physical and more practical buttons to control the regularly used controls.

Last year, Euro NCAP, the consumer vehicle safety rating organisation announced changes to its protocols that require physical controls for key functions. But this has still fallen short of addressing the issue of touchscreens on right hand drive cars and vans. Safety Research Technicians at the Belgian based pan-European voluntary body have been informed by this publication on this pertinent issue.

Matthew Avery, Director of Strategic Development at Euro NCAP, commented to the press: “The overuse of touchscreens is an industry-wide problem, with almost every vehicle-maker moving key controls onto central touchscreens, obliging drivers to take their eyes off the road and raising the risk of distraction crashes. New Euro NCAP tests due in 2026 will encourage manufacturers to use separate, physical controls for basic functions in an intuitive manner, limiting eyes-off-road time and therefore promoting safer driving.”

Under the Euro NCAP’s new rating scheme, which is due to come into force from January 2026, manufacturers won’t be able to achieve the highest safety ratings if they don’t provide proper, physical switches for certain functions including indicators, hazard lights, sounding the horn, operating windscreen wipers and activating the eCall SOS function.

The regulation of how drivers interact with vehicle controls (the Human Machine Interface or HMI) is surprisingly weak in the European Union. The European Commission issued an update to a formal ‘recommendation’ on the subject in 2008 but the European Transport Safety Council (ETSC) is not aware of any action being taken against a manufacturer for not abiding by the code. The heart of its recommendation stated: “An important overall requirement can be simply stated as ‘Do no harm’. This means that the system should enhance or at least not reduce road safety.”

Frank Mütze, Vehicle Safety Expert at ETSC explained: “The EU’s voluntary guidelines are not working because current touchscreens and infotainment systems are distracting and unsafe. EuroNCAP requiring physical controls for some functions is a welcome step in the right direction. But we now need EU regulators to follow-up and adopt legally binding requirements for all vehicles.”

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

Euro NCAP announce latest safety ratings for Vans

Euro nCaP has released the results of its most recently tested light Commercial Vehicles (vans), with the tests incorporating the vehicles’ safety assist (adas) technologies. seven manufacturers/brands were awarded platinum ratings, with nine makes and models classed as meeting adas’s Gold standards. Just one vehicle was deemed to meet the silver classification.

Euro NCAP, established in 1996 , is a European voluntary car safety performance assessment programme (i.e., a New Car Assessment Program) based in Leuven, Belgium. In recent years, its portfolio has taken in vans and more recently included trucks.

Since 2023 Euro NCAP has applied more detailed Commercial Van testing and assessment protocols than those used in previous years, meaning that ratings of the new and old standards are not comparable.

m a KE & mODEL mODEL YE ar r aTING N OTE

P L aTINU m r aTED

Ford Transit 2024 on 95% 4th Generation model

Ford Transit Connect 2024 on 83% As per the 5th generation Volkswagen Caddy

Ford Transit Courier 2023 on 93% 2nd generation model

Ford Transit Custom 2023 on 96%

Farizon SV 2024 on 85%

Maxus eDeliver 5 2024 on 82%

Mercedes-Benz Citan 2021 on 87% Rating for ICE versions

Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 2024 on 90% Rating for ICE and EV versions

Mercedes-Benz Vito 2024 on 90% Rating for ICE and EV versions

Nissan Interstar 2024 on 84% Rating for ICE and EV versions

Renault Master 2024 on 84% 4th Generation model - rating for ICE and EV models

Volkswagen Caddy Cargo 2024 on 83% 5th Generation model

Volkswagen ID. Buzz 2022 on 83%

Volkswagen Transporter T7 2023 on 96% Rating as per Ford Transit Custom

Citroën Berlingo 2018 on 62% 3rd Generation model

Citroën Dispatch 2024 on 67% Also include Opel Vivaro/Fiat Scudo

Citroën Relay 2024 on 78% Also include Fiat Ducato. Rating for ICE and EV versions

Fiat Doblò 2022 62% Also include Citroën Berlingo & Berlingo-e

Iveco Daily 2024 on 77%

Maxus Deliver 7 2024 on 77% ICE and EV versions

Maxus Deliver 9 2024 on 75% ICE and EV versions

Nissan Primastar 2024 on 69%

Nissan Townstar 2021 on 78% Rating as per 3rd Generation Renault Kangoo Opel/Vauxhall Combo 2018 on 62% As per 3rd Generation Citroën Berlingo. Rating for ICE & EV

Opel/Vauxhall Vivaro 2024 on 67%

Opel/Vauxhall Movano 2024 on 78% Rating for ICE and EV versions

Peugeot Partner 2018 on 62% As per Citroën Berlingo. Rating for ICE & EV versions

Peugeot Expert 2024 on 67% As per Opel Vivaro / Citroën Dispatch / Fiat Scudo

Peugeot Boxer 2024 on 78% Rating for ICE and EV versions

Renault Kangoo Van 2021 on 78% 3rd Generation model

Renault Trafic 2024 on 69%

Volkswagen Caddy Cargo Pre- 2024 68% 5th Generation model

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fleet Van & Utility Magazine, d ’alton street, Claremorris, County Mayo, ireland.

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Contents Spring 2025

Design: Crackerjack Design House Fleet Van & Utility holds the chairmanship of the International Van of the Year Jury

Printed in Ireland

d isclaimer: Fleet Van&Utility Magazine management can accept no responsibility for the accuracy of contributed articles or statements appearing in this magazine and any views or opinions expressed are not necessarily those of Fleet Transport management, save where otherwise indicated. No responsibility for loss or distress occasioned to any person acting or refraining from acting as a result of the

Editor: Jarlath Sweeney

contributors: Cathal Doyle,

Photography: Jarlath Sweeney, Cathal Doyle

administration: Orla Sweeney

advertising: Mary Morrissey,

material in this publication can be accepted by the authors, contributors, Editors or publishers.

The Editor reserves the right to make publishing decisions on any advertisements or editorial article submitted to the magazine and to refuse publication or to edit any editorial material as seems appropriate to him. Professional legal advice should always be sought in relation to any specific matter.

Contract Hire I Rental I Refrigeration

Euro NcaP test results on vans

LaUNcH PaD I

The all-new Toyota Land cruiser

53 marKETPLacE - LcV

Strong sales performance during 2024

58 WHaT’S NEW? - LcV

Here’s what’s coming…... 60 INTErVIEW

With andrew Lambert, Nissan Europe 62 rEVIEW

101st Brussels motor Show with Vans! 64 LaUNcH PaD II

Introducing Flexis 66 NEW FLEET

Special editions of triple star badged vans!

to emphasise the broad extent of the popularity of the toyota land Cruiser, a number of students competing in the annual autostyle Car design awards chose the latest version of the iconic off-roader as their case study. they reinterpreted the new model, which has been totally renewed after fifteen years of global sales success. one entrant highlighted aspects of the retro ‘first Edition’* version on the new model, featuring the Castrol livery

at €140,830. Trading, particularly for the commercial model, is expected to be swift so interested parties are encouraged to contact their local Toyota dealership as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

from the brand’s days of world Rally Championship success, while another was beefed up further as simply called ‘Extreme’. that event was held in northern italy last october but before then, the first production model was unveiled in ireland at the national Ploughing Championships the month before.

‘New model Toyota Land Cruiser is a blend of the iconic retro style and strength with new and advanced technology’

Priced from €69,990, the highly anticipated Commercial model will be available by next Summer, while the passenger version will be arriving by Springtime, with prices starting

As the first all-new Land Cruiser in Ireland for 15 years, the distinctive new model represents the rebirth of an icon, combining modern-retro exterior styling that harks back to Land Cruiser’s classic design heritage, with a modernised interior and the latest cutting-edge technology.    Chief Engineer Keita Moritsu explains: “We have changed our perception and believe that this Land Cruiser model should be offered as a practical and affordable off-roader. We resolved that going back to our roots would be core to the Land Cruiser brand going forward. The ‘back to origins’ quality is evident in a powerful new design that fuses Land Cruiser’s style heritage with a sharp, contemporary appearance that is timeless and communicates the kind of solid, functional quality associated with the best professional tools. Practicality is designed in, for example with the bonnet’s raised corners and lowered central section that give the driver a commanding view, and the shaping of body parts to help avoid damage in harsh driving conditions. Aerodynamic details have also been included to the benefit of handling

It’s ‘Back to the Future’ for Toyota as new Land Cruiser offers more Strength, Substance & Style!

stability, brake and engine cooling and airflow management.”

‘The Land Cruiser name was adopted in 1954 and today, it is Toyota’s longest-running production model with worldwide sales of more than 10.4 million* to date across more than 170 countries and regions’

Giving the driver the best view ahead and to the side was a design priority. This produced a bonnet shape with raised sides which make it easier to locate the vehicle’s corners, and a lowered centre section that improves the forward view, reducing the blind spot immediately in front of the vehicle. To improve the view to the side, the A pillar is set at a more upright angle, the mirrors are attached to the doors and the belt line has been stepped down.

As expected the new ‘Cruiser’ is equipped to handle the harshest terrains. Previous generations have been the Commercial 4x4 SUV of choice for Irish farmers, builders, vets, foresters,

adventurers and equestrian enthusiasts for decades. Commanding strength, quality, reliability and durability, the

MY2025 Land Cruiser is powered by a 2.8-litre, 205hp/500Nm diesel engine, paired with a redesigned turbocharger, and a new Direct Shift eight-speed automatic transmission which delivers dependable power and ensures a smoother and more efficient driving experience, whether off or on-road, through the permanent all-wheel drive system. Eco-friendliness is further improved as the new engine is approved for HVO100 renewable diesel. Like its sister model, the Hilux, a 48 Volt mild hybrid electric model will join the range in late 2025. It will combine the 2.8-litre diesel engine with a 48V electric motor-generator, a compact 48V lithium-ion battery and a stop-start system.

Current owners of the 3-door SWB Commercial will be disappointed to hear that this version will no longer be available.

Electric power steering is now specified, to replace the former hydraulic system, and a new disconnecting anti-rollbar system, thereby providing better handling off-road, and enabling lane assist to be introduced as part of Toyota’s renowned Safety Sense

system. In addition, the new body-on-frame from Toyota’s New Global Architecture GA-F platform provides the foundation for significantly increased rigidity and excellent response, ride and handling. A new braking system, a new double wishbone front suspension, revised rear axle and updated Crawl Control also contribute to the handling prowess. For the many owners who pull a trailer, new Land Cruiser can now tow up to 3.5 tonnes (matching that of the towing capacity of the Hilux).

‘Its overall length is 4,925 mm, width 1,980 mm and height 1,935 mm; the wheelbase is 2,850 mm’

At the same time as enhancing its strength and off-road capability, Toyota has focused on raising the levels of on-board quietness and comfort with extensive measures to counter noise and vibration. On the safety front, new Land Cruiser is better equipped than ever before to support the driver, recognising and warning them of a wider range of common accident risks and ready to provide braking, steering and drive control to help avoid a collision.

The driveline for the Land Cruiser’s permanent all-wheel drive features a revised propeller shaft structure designed for durability and quieter performance. Changes have also been made to the differentials: the centre unit has been revised for enhanced performance and fuel efficiency, while the electronic locking rear diff has been strengthened for added reliability. Both are tuned to achieve the best balance of off-road traction and on-road stability. The transfer unit has also been updated for improved durability, an increase in actuator motor torque and anti-corrosion performance. A new toggle switch for selecting the H4 or L4 ranges and new diff lock switches are located on the centre console, next to the shift lever.

Commenting during the launch at the Ploughing Championships, Zoë Bradley, Head of Marketing Communications and Corporate Affairs at Toyota Ireland said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing the first all-new Land Cruiser in 15 years to Ireland in 2025. We previewed it at this year’s Ploughing Championships, where throngs of very

Together with the performance enhancements, passenger versions of the new Land Cruiser feature significant interior upgrades, including a large responsive touch screen, accurate voice recognition, adaptive cruise control and a more spacious cabin, to ensure both comfort and safety for drivers and passengers.

An aspect that will be appreciated is that the physical shape of the switch gear and their operating methods have been unified – simple toggle or push controls – so the driver can operate them easily without having to look away from the wheel or changing their posture, a big issue with many of today’s cars. Information sources – the driver’s instrument combi-meter and multimedia display - are set high for easy visibility and there is a wide console area – a Land Cruiser characteristic – that keeps driving controls close at hand for quick and intuitive operation.

eager potential customers lined-up to pay homage to the rugged and reliable icon, so we’re confident this new model will be hugely popular and will build upon the already legendary status of the Land Cruiser journey. Because of the expected high demand, we are encouraging people to visit their nearest Toyota dealership to discuss payment options and reserve the new model early to avoid disappointment.”

* The exclusive ‘First Edition’ is the pinnacle of the all-new Land Cruiser line-up, available only in limited numbers and exclusively to customers who reserved their vehicle during the pre-sales period. It stands apart with bespoke styling, including classic round headlights, bi-tone exterior paintwork in a combination of Sand or Smoky Blue with black and “First EDT” badges. In the cabin the front seats feature unique upholstery piping and stitching.

Text: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

Lc V I NDUST rY FEELING POSITIVE a FTE r a ST r ONG 2024 PE r FO rma N c E

*Electric van segment yet to make a breakthrough in sales despite an increase in new models

2024 turned out to be a pretty positive year for the light commercial vehicle (lCV) sector in ireland, with sales up 6.69% (source: siMi) on the previous year. indeed total sales of 30,783 were the highest seen since 2007, which saw an exceptional new vehicle market of 44,053 units.

It was also a very busy year for new LCV launches, with a record eighteen new vehicles shortlisted for Irish Van of the Year 2025 in association with Continental Tyres. That overall win went to the Mercedes-Benz Vito, with the Ford Transit Courier, Renault Master, Toyota Corolla Van and INEOS Quartermaster also collecting category awards.

Ford was the most popular LCV brand in 2024, taking 21.4% market share ahead of Renault, Volkswagen, Opel and Toyota. However the Renault Trafic was Ireland’s most sought after van in 2024 taking an impressive 9.31% of the entire market, well ahead of Ford’s Transit Custom, the Peugeot Partner, Renault Master and Ford’s Transit.

As was the case with passenger cars, the electric van market contracted in 2024, down 1% and 10 units compared to 2023, and only achieving 934 units in total. Making the case for going electric remains a challenge outside of State bodies and large multi-nationals, with most operators still unconvinced that total cost of ownership (TCO) can compare favourably with ICE vehicles.

Opel ended the year as the best performing eLCV brand taking nearly 19% market share ahead of Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles. Peugeot, Toyota and Maxus also performed well. Opel’s success was driven by the Vivaro-e, while Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles Ireland will have been pleased to see the ID. Buzz take second place in the electric

sales charts, having previously been a victim of Ireland’s unique VRT system.

With ‘251’ already in full swing, Fleet Van & Utilty asked industry representatives to review the year and to take out their crystal balls and give their predictions for the year ahead.

thoughts on how the new and used lCV market performed during 2024, and how your brand performed.

trevor hunt, Marketing Manager for Citroën ireland noted a fall in year on year growth: “The LCV market performed relatively well in 2024, exhibiting a growth rate of 6.7% 2024 vs 2023, albeit this growth rate has slowed YOY with 2023 exhibiting +25.1% growth vs 2022. In contrast, the Passenger Car Market in Ireland contracted by-1.0% 2024 vs 2023.

Trevor was happy with his own brand’s performance. “Citroën outperformed the LCV market in 2024, growing +7.7% YOY – representing an almost +22% improvement in performance vs 2023.”

Ciaran Cusack, Marketing Manager at sister stellantis brand fiat Professional said the brand was curtailed by lack of supply to an extent. “After some supply constraints at the start of 2024, Fiat ended the year reasonably well, with the new generation of vans becoming available in September. With new vehicle supply correcting itself, we saw a slight softening in Used LCV values.”

John Manning, Country lead at ford ireland, noted the Blue Oval’s continuing popularity with Ireland’s van buyers. “The Commercial Vehicle market was 7.7% up vs 2023 and Ford performed strongly within our commercial vehicle expectations with the Transit range continuing to be a popular choice among Irish

customers, enhanced by the introduction of the new Courier and Connect models to market in 2024. Ford retained its No 1 CV Leadership for 12 consecutive years at 19.3% of market share within the combined LGV and HGV Industries. Transit Custom remained Ford’s top-selling Commercial Vehicle product with +1900 unit sales with very strong performance delivery across all its main nameplates, achieving leadership in 2 of 4 main Commercial Vehicle segments in the Industry, and setting a really strong platform for what Ford believes will be a very strong 2025.

Eddie Kavanagh, Managing director of land Rover ireland was pleased that the brand outperformed the market at 7.6% growth, while Commercial Vehicle sales Manager for Mercedes-Benz, fergus Conheady, was skeptical of the sales results of some of his competitors: “It’s surprising to see brands apparently returning to the pre-registration practice so the ‘actual’ real market difficult to identify.”

John Keogh, harris Group Md for ireland which imports the MAXUS brand said: “The new LCV market was up just over 6% on 2023. The year started off in a positive fashion, but this seemed to slow down from May onwards. MAXUS showed growth of 59% year-on-year. Considering the market was up 6%, it represents a strong performance for MAXUS. Very positively, MAXUS gained 11% market share of the CV-EV market.”

Over at nissan, digital Marketing Manager adam wheatley noted: “New and used LCV market continued to grow as product availability improved again in 2024. Nissan market share saw signs of recovery during 2024 as production stock became more available.

James Brooks, opel ireland Managing director at Gowan auto was happy with the brand’s performance: “The year 2024 was another truly successful year for new Opel light commercial vehicle sales in Ireland. A completely rejuvenated Combo, Vivaro and Movano line-up was introduced in Ireland in mid-2024. Flexible, strong, ultra-modern and distinctive, each of the trio features a striking new exterior styling and a redesigned cockpit, and each is loaded with enhanced safety equipment as standard.

In 2024, Opel placed number four overall in the LCV market with an 8.14% market share, recording a significant volume growth of +18.5%. Significantly, all three of Opel’s core light commercial vehicle models performed strongly in 2024. The Opel Combo continued to shine in the F segment, taking fourth place and recording a 12.4% segment share. The Opel Vivaro placed number three in its segment with a 10.5% segment share. The Movano was in fifth place in its segment, with a segment share of 7.2%.

Furthermore, Opel was the number one best-selling electric van brand in the Irish market in 2024, recording a total share of 19.5%.”

Peugeot ireland’s Managing director, des Cannon was equally upbeat: “The LCV market in 2024 saw significant recovery and growth following two years of challenges characterised by higher demand than supply, post Covid. With supply constraints easing and availability normalising, the market was finally able to meet demand consistently for the first time since 2021. For Peugeot, it was a year of solid performance. The overall LCV market grew by 6.7%, with Peugeot achieving an impressive sales increase of nearly 18%. The first quarter was particularly strong, with the market experiencing a 34% surge, and Peugeot effectively capitalising on this momentum.

Growth was observed across all van body types, fuelled by increased

activity from vehicle adaptors and demand for bespoke solutions such as box bodies, tippers, and dropsides. Key drivers included replenishment orders from SMEs, semi-state sectors, and robust growth in contract hire and leasing, which rose by 22% year on year. Additionally, van rentals saw a 21% increase.

Peugeot benefited from this market expansion, particularly as suppliers to local utility companies and government bodies contributed to demand. Crew cabs were the only exception in the market in terms of growth, this segment has no impact on Peugeot’s overall performance.

Peugeot Partner van has been the bestselling Van in its segment, for quite some years and we are optimistic it will retain its position on the podium for 2025.

We also saw strong performance in CDVs (car-derived vans) configured for road use and adapted locally, selling approximately 200 units per year. Peugeot customers have five CDVs to choose from, with the 208, 308, 2008, 3008, and 5008 models, fully electric versions of these cars are also available to meet diverse needs.”

Cathal Ryan, Corporate sales Manager for toyota ireland commented: “2024 LCV was up over 6% when compared to 2023, so a positive result overall. For Toyota, Land Cruiser, Proace, City and Hilux all performed well – with Proace Electric being one of the best-selling EV vans in Ireland.”

Kim Kilduff, head of sales and Marketing, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ireland noted a strong performance from the German brand: “In 2024, the Light Commercial Vehicle market in Ireland, both new and used, saw another positive shift especially with sectors such as construction and logistics, with businesses in these sectors continuing to require commercial vehicles to meet their growing business demands. In the true Commercial Vehicle Market (removal of Car Derived Vans),

there was an 8% increase on 2023 and a 23% increase on 2022 – this of course is always a great indication of how the economy is performing – certainly a positive performance all-round.

In 2024, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles achieved its highest volumes since 2019 thanks to record breaking performances with Crafter, Amarok and the all-electric ID. Buzz Cargo.”

Predictions for the lCV market in ireland for 2025?

Kim Kilduff, VwCV: “For 2025, the trends seen in 2024 are likely to continue, and we are planning for another positive year with the market remaining steadily in-line with 2024’s great performance.

In preparation for 2025, new model launches were a huge focus as we planned a fully refreshed and enhanced model line-up.”

Cathal Ryan, toyota ireland: “I expect the LCV market will remain steady for 2025. Business sentiment remains reasonably positive and the prospect of lower interest rates by mid-year should encourage growth.

Supply of diesel vans across many brands may become an issue as the year progresses, as diesel vans with higher CO2 emissions may push some manufacturers beyond their CO2 limits/targets. This is less of an issue for Toyota because so many of its models are Hybrid/PHEV/ Electric.”

des Cannon, Peugeot ireland: “We are expecting the LCV market in Ireland to reach approximately 30,000 units in 2025. Diesel will remain the dominant choice, continuing to account for the vast majority of sales, as it did in 2024 with a 95% market share. However, a slight increase in electric van sales is anticipated, reflecting growing interest in sustainable alternatives and the expanding availability of electric models.”

adam wheatley, nissan ireland: “We believe the total LCV market for 2025 will reflect 2024 levels.”

fergus Conheady, Mercedes-Benz Vans ireland: “ We expect a very similar market to 2024.”

John Keogh, Maxus ireland: “2025 has started similarly to 2024. We do not expect any major changes to the market throughout 2025, with the overall market likely to remain similar to that of 2024.”

Eddie Kavanagh, land Rover ireland: “Modest growth is forecasted in this sector in 2025.”

John Manning, ford ireland: “We expect the Irish LCV market to remain robust in 2025. Sustainability and cost efficiency will drive purchasing decisions, with businesses seeking vehicles that align with their operational needs and environmental commitments. Ford is well-positioned to support this evolving market with our versatile LCV line-up and cutting-edge solutions that help businesses optimise performance and efficiency.”

Ciaran Cusack, fiat Professional: “We see the market this year remaining similar to 2024.”

trevor hunt, Citroën ireland: “YTD LCV registrations have started strongly, tracking +6% above January 2024 which in turn was +38.2% ahead of January 2023, reflecting the earlier supply issues the industry faced. Considering these issues have now been ironed out, this strong start to 2025 indicates continued confidence in a buoyant Irish economy. YTD Citroën performance has been +11.9% ahead of January 2024, reflecting the introduction of the new face-lifted Citroën LCV range.”

what are your thoughts on how the electric lCV market will grow in 2025 in ireland?

John Keogh, Maxus ireland: “The electric LCV market has proven difficult over the last few years with 2024 being on par with 2023. On a positive note there has never been more product on offer. At MAXUS we have grown our footprint in the eLCV market in terms of market share and product over the

last 2 years. We now have the eDeliver 3, eDeliver 5, eDeliver 7 and eDeliver 9, giving the customer plenty of choice to find an EV that works for their business. Also, last year seen the introduction of the MAXUS eTerron 9: a full electric 4x4 crew cab that is expected to gain plenty of attraction throughout 2025.”

John Manning, ford ireland: “We anticipate significant growth in the electric LCV segment in Ireland in 2025, as businesses continue to transition to sustainable transport solutions. With our ongoing commitment to innovation and customer support, we aim to play a key role in helping Irish businesses navigate this transition.”

Cathal Ryan, toyota ireland: “The current trend sees larger companies, with well-defined ESG strategies, as the main users of EV vans – with most growth coming from the mid-sized panel van segment. I expect a stabilised market in 2025 will be a decent result.”

Ciaran Cusack, fiat ireland: “The majority of demand for EV LCVs has been mainly driven by large organisations, like Semi-states and big companies. This will continue this year and with smaller organisations showing an interest in electrifying their fleet, there could be a slight upswing in demand for Electric vans.”

Kim Kilduff, Volkswagen: “Over the last two year we have seen a 75% growth in BEV commercial vehicles, this is mainly down to larger companies now deciding to make the switch. There is definitely a growing awareness of the benefits of electric commercial vehicles, with many businesses already exploring and testing our ID. Buzz Cargo for usage within their fleets. The transition is particularly attractive for companies that want to reduce their carbon footprint or are looking for ways to manage rising fuel costs.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle Ireland’s BEV plans will progress with the continued roll out of the ID. Buzz Cargo and the arrival of the new e-Transporter landing in March of this year.  In the

October 2024 Budget, the Government made the necessary changes to the VRT criteria which now allows light commercial vehicles to qualify for the commercial vehicle VRT rate of €200, this has been very much welcomed across the industry and we believe that this important taxation change will assist hugely assist with the migration of the diesel commercial vehicle fleet in Ireland to BEV.

adam wheatley, nissan ireland: “We would predict EV LCV will see a yearon-year growth with more EV products becoming available and more demand in the market due to business sustainability policies and requirements.

Eddie Kavanagh, land Rover ireland: “Growth is expected here also as companies strive to reduce their carbon footprint.”

trevor hunt, Citroën ireland: “Electric LCV uptake has been strong across some sectors, particularly Government departments and multi-national companies, but overall, in 2024 only 3.0% of all LCV’s purchased were electric, compared to 3.3% in 2023. This slight declining trend continues when we look at January YTD (15.01.25) with 1.0% of all LCV’s purchased being electric. This time last year that figure was 1.3%. However, 80% of electric LCV purchases in 2025 to date have been by businesses/ companies, whereas last year only 32.3% of initial January registrations were electric.

YTD private customer electric LCV sales are up from 12.9% to 16% perhaps indicating that an increasing number of sole traders are embracing electric powertrains.The nature of the LCV market means that again, ongoing government support, both in terms of vehicle and taxation incentives and investment in a fit for purpose charging infrastructure will be crucial to growing electric penetration of the LCV market. In particular this is vital to encourage private business customers to adopt electric, where everyday practicalities drive adoption, as opposed to environmental signalling that has driven electric

LCV registrations by multi-nationals and Governmental departments. Citroën registered 77 electric LCV vehicles last year, up from 20 in 2023.”

fergus Conheady, Mercedes-Benz Vans ireland: “There’s no evidence or trend to suggest any growth will come to the eVan market. Most action within this sector is Semi-State pushed business with there being little natural appetite for eVans from the general market.”

des Cannon, Peugeot ireland: “Nationally, electric LCVs still account for just 3% of the market. However, Peugeot’s e-LCVs performed well in 2024, capturing 12.2% share of market, we expect our e-LCV sales to double in 2025 to 10% of our van sales mix. Growth in this segment continues to be driven primarily by semi-state organisations and large fleet tenders. While progress is being made, there is still significant work needed to encourage SMEs to transition to electric vans, key challenges remain around range anxiety, national recharging infrastructure and higher capital costs.”

Text: Cathal Doyle – cathal@fleet.ie

2024 was an exceptional year for new van launches with nearly all the major brands introducing at least one new model. While 2025 is set to be a little quieter, that’s not to say that there isn’t going to be fresh metal arriving throughout the year. Here are some of the new models from various brands we can expect to see.

Vol K swaGE n Co MMERC ial

V E hi C l E s iRE land (V w C i ) 2025 is shaping up to be a busy year for the brand. While the face-lifted Crafter appeared at the end of last year, the big news is the arrival of the all-new Transporter T7. Examples are in dealer showrooms now, with the first customer models arriving in March.

“With its unique Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles design, significantly enhanced commercial vehicle performance and a whole host of new future-ready features, it not only offers improved ride comfort and more loading volume, it also offers greater variability,” says Kim Kilduff, Head of Sales & Marketing at VWCI. “The new Transporter comes with the unique offering of our 5+ Promise, that includes 5 Years Servicing, 5 Years Warranty and 5 Years Roadside Assistance,” she added. Volkswagen is also introducing a 75bhp version of its Caddy, while two other new models are aimed at the passenger/leisure markets but sold through the VWCI network. A long wheel base version of the ID. Buzz offers ample room for seven passengers, while camping enthusiasts will be excited to see the new California which for the

What’s coming our way on the Light Commercial Vehicle front in 2025

first time is based on the Multivan rather than the Transporter, and features an all-new interior layout as well as hybrid power options.

toYota

The Land Cruiser dominates the Commercial SUV segment so the arrival of an all-new model is big news. Already shown at last year’s Ploughing Championship, it’s due to arrive mid-year. Also of interest to those needing rugged off-road capabilities is an updated Hilux, including the exciting Hilux GR Sport version. “It will arrive in Ireland in the coming weeks/months,” says Cathal Ryan of Toyota Ireland. “This will have a powerful 2.8 engine with over 200bhp, and aggressive looks to match.”

Cathal also highlights the Proace which has received a substantial update making it “one of the best specified vans in the market.”

n issan

The new Interstar large panel van arrives in Ireland in February. An electric version will also be offered for the first time.

f o R d P R o

“Ford Pro is excited to expand its LCV line-up in Ireland in 2025 with the launch of several new models that will build on Ford’s legacy of delivering durable, versatile, and technology-driven vehicles that meet the demands of modern businesses,” says John Manning, Country Head for Ford Ireland. That should include electric versions of the Transit Custom, launched last year, arriving in Irish dealerships. An electrified version of the new Transit Connect and a PHEV version of the Ranger are also expected in due course. 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Ford Transit.

f iat P R of E ssional

“Having just launched our updated Fiat Professional van range in September exclusively in diesel, the EV variants will follow in Quarter 1 of this year, all supplied with a 5 year warranty and 4.9% APR available,” says Ciaran Cusack,

Marketing Manager at Fiat Professional Ireland.

inEos

Just launched is the Quartermaster 2 Seat Commercial. The pick-up model features an 850-litre flat-floored interior cargo area behind the front seats in lieu of rear passenger seats.

In addition to the pick-up variants, Orangeworks Automotive, the Irish importers and distributors for the INEOS Grenadier has come up with a chassis-cab version for multiple bodywork fitting options. With its practical design, no-nonsense approach, and best-in-class capability, the award-winning Quartermaster, recently announced as Irish Pick-up Truck of the Year, is built to tackle any challenge. It also comes with a 5 Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty; 5 Year AA Roadside Assistance & 5 Year Servicing Pack.

MaXUs

“Our aim at Harris MAXUS is to concentrate on our current models throughout 2025 by raising awareness of the brand and working with consumers to place EVs that work for their day-to-day business. We are here to work with anyone who wants to start or expand their EV fleet,“ says John Keogh (Managing Director, MAXUS (Ireland). One model due at some stage is the new eTerron 9 4x4 pickup truck which can tow up to 3.5 tonnes.

Kia

The South Korean brand is expect to launch its light commercial vehicle range in Europe during 2025. The first model expected is the all-electric PV5 medium size panel van. Kia is expected to launch four all-electric vans in the coming years.

BYd

No timeframes have been finalised for its arrival here yet but keep an eye out for the BYD E-Vali, an all-electric large panel van. Unveiled at the Hannover Show last autumn, it’s specifically designed for Europe according to the Chinese manufacturer and likely to be on sale here in 2026.

Text: Cathal Doyle – cathal@fleet.ie

what are the particular UsPs of the new nissan interstar, particularly in comparison to its sister vehicle, the Renault Master?

First and foremost, we would mention our five year warranty - five years, 160,000 kilometres, which is a pan-European manufacturing warranty. That’s something that Renault generally doesn’t offer in most markets.

I think on top of that, there’s the design of the vehicle. Now to be completely transparent, we have been careful because we could spend a lot of money making it look more different by changing lots of parts, but then the customer is not going to pay extra for that look, right? So we focused the design changes on what’s important, and we think our design team have done a great job of giving it that [Nissan] character.

Then there are the different conversions that potentially we will work with different local suppliers for completing. We have a loyal customer base. Renault also has a loyal customer base, but not necessarily always in competition with us. And I should add that the Renault is a really fantastic product and we were very happy to have access to that as a kind of shared resource. Effectively, if we were doing it on our own we would never be able to invest in that full line-up that we can offer today. We can offer a very complete and award-winning kind of product because of that collaboration with Renault.

some lCV brands have created their own specialist subsidiary off-shoots for commercial vehicles, having specialist staff, out-of-hours servicing etc. nissan hasn’t gone down that road. why?

One to One with Andrew LimbertProduct Planning & Marketing Manager, Nissan Europe

In conversation with Cathal Doyle at the launch of the new Nissan Interstar in Barcelona

We don’t have a specific dedicated LCV business that’s pan-European. But we have a good network, which in Ireland is 31 dealers (36 including repairers) which is quite comprehensive. And I think we have a good reputation, particularly in Ireland. So in terms of customer satisfaction, I think [Nissan LCVs] are well received. The five year warranty is a really important part of giving customers reassurance that it’s the quality of the vehicle and then the network that is really important in terms of delivering the satisfaction.

on the relationship with Renault, and the fact that the interstar is produced in Renault’s factory in de Batilly, is there an agreement that you’ll get equal priority for new developments as they come on stream?

We’ve worked with Renault for over 20 years, so we have a longstanding relationship. At the end of the day it’s a business discussion and business relationship. We have our priorities, they have their priorities, but there’s a good intersection for this. They are happy to have the extra volume that we’re taking. We’re happy to have access to the wider range of vans. In terms of prioritisation we have an agreed timetable based on our schedule and when we agreed for investment and so on and so forth. So it’s all a very functional business type of relationship really.

nissan ireland has had lCV supply issues in the recent past. are you confident about meeting demands particularly for right hand drive (Rhd) markets for this coming year and going forward?

We recognise we’ve had restrictions, particularly I know for Ireland after Covid and during the component shortage period, and that we’ve not been able to get the supply to all the markets as well as we would have hoped, but I think that was common across brands. It’s just been a reality of the market. We built up a lot of order bank that we are now going through and fulfilling the supply seems much more consistent and reliable with this model.

Of course it’s a brand new model that’s just going into production. We are going phase by phase, so we start with left hand drive diesel, and then we will go onto right hand drive diesel and EV according to that schedule. So we expect to have access to good supply from early 2025 for right and drives. I’m quite confident on that.

nissan is offering a 4.24 tonne rear wheel drive interstar but only in left hand drive. what’s the reason for not having a Rhd version?

Frankly we will continue to study and push for that because we see the market there, we see the opportunity at the end. You can imagine developing a project like this where you’ve got so many derivatives, so many powertrains, EV, diesel, lots of open body conversions. it’s incredibly expensive. Developing a right hand drive rear wheel drive was a step too far in terms of that initial project. We will continue to make the case for it, but we think on the other hand, with the four tonne front wheel drive version we have a strong product and can offer front wheel drive tippers and dropsides as well as vans.

Text: Cathal Doyle – cathal@fleet.ie

101st Brussels Motor Show: Van Solutions: A dedicated framework for light commercial vehicles

a selection of light Commercial Vehicles from a number of brands and associated exhibitors were on display throughout the autosalon stands at the recent Brussels Motor show held at the Brussels Expo venue. Requests to the show organiser febiac from the commercial vehicle sector to have a dedicated space at the event came to fruition under the name ‘Van solutions’ in hall 6, providing a meeting and networking place for those interested in the world of light commercial vehicles and everything that surrounds it.

RAM, Fiat Professional, Renault Vans and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles were among the brands to display their latest products in the dedicated Van Solutions Zone. In addition to these manufacturers/importers, some leading suppliers and bodybuilders were also present, including such well known brands as JDK, Sortimo and Cargo Lifting, to name but a few.

Jan Voet and Arjan Velthoven, both members of the International Van & Pick-up Award juries, were in attendance and sent on these photos to Fleet Van & Utility.

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle range

Toyota

Stellantis Pro One

Isuzu

Maxus

Kia

Volkswagen Jeep

Bento

FLEXIS -  The Future and Nexus of Urban Deliveries

Designing and producing the ultimate express delivery and urban logistics light commercial vehicle is not easy, as many who have tried and failed can attest to. Many start-up companies have entered the segment with great enthusiasm and passion, only to run out of finances to see the project through to mass production.

Not so Flexis, a new collaboration project set to produce a multi-model range of urban delivery vehicles. With the Renault Group, Volvo Group and shipping company CMA CGM behind it, Flexis can avail of vast experience, resources and investment to make this project a success.

Four years in the planning, more details have been revealed at Flexis’s Operational Centre in Villebon-surYvette, located near Paris. Fleet Transport was present as the covers were taken off three versions of the first concept models.

Louis Morasse, a former Chief Designer within the Renault LCV division has vast experience when it comes to innovative design and it shows in his creation of three distinct models, all based on what’s called a skate platform. This is an almost flat, low electric drivetrain chassis base that houses the battery packs within it to give it rigidity, a low loading height and low centre of gravity when in motion.

Revealed were a Panel Van, Cargo Van and Step-in Van that ultimately will run along a production line alongside the likes of the Renault Trafic and Nissan

Primastar. The concept or theme is built around a number of pillars that primarily focus on the vehicle owner/operator.

€360 million of the €1 billion collectively put forward by the three parties has so far been spent on Research & Development. The next phase is to invest in further pre-production testing, tooling and the machinery required, before production which is scheduled to begin in mid-2026 at the Renault van manufacturing facility at Sandoville in Normandy. Employee numbers are set to double from 100 before the end of the year.

Krishnan Sundararajan, COO, Flexis

Pertinent to the manufacturing process is that steel and sustainable composite materials are used, therefore assuring a lighter unladen weight, making these vehicles up to 300 kg lighter than traditional light commercials.

to market to their respective customers. Predictive and preventative maintenance in collaboration with these partners assures less downtime adding to peace of mind for the customer.

Initially planned for Europe, the modular base can lend itself to meet specifications in other markets around the world, particularly Asia and North America. To date, orders to the tune of 15,000 units have been received from French company Colis Privé, DB Schneider and British start-up Hived. However these are early days. The continuous rising tide of e-commerce remains the foundation of Flexis’s potential to establish a strong customer base.

The Step-in Van is attracting much interest, as its unique and well thought out design is most intuitive towards efficiency and safety. First of all, its short bonnet maximises cab comfort and load capacity. The walk-thru system from seat to load area, along with the twin sliding doors at the front, allows the driver to enter and exit safely with parcel or box in hand.  The rear pull up door facilitates loading and unloading of large or long items.

Informing the driver is a 10” dash screen and a 12” infotainment touch screen, curved towards the person in control. Software updates and over the air upgrades ensure ongoing connectivity even beyond the first phase of ownership. Range wise an estimated 350km is achievable with a 1-tonne payload.

As main partners, both Renault Group’s Van Division and Renault Trucks dealerships will sell and service the Flexis range, using their own badging

“Flexis is a strategic partner for urban logistics operators,” explained Pierre Sirolli, Head of Flexis Services & Solutions. “Through the data connectivity of the Flexis vehicles and a team of experts, we offer personalised recommendations to improve our clients’ overall operations, offering solutions like delivery route optimisation, significantly reducing vehicle breakdowns through preventive and predictive maintenance, securing the charging of the vehicles and with uninterrupted advisory support we create and implement actions to resolve any setbacks.”

The Panel Van prototype could well be the next generation Trafic Van from Renault, joined by the chassis/cab Cargo Van variant which can accommodate multiple body options such as box, fridge and tipper. Both provide an estimated 460 km on one charge with a payload capacity of 1.2-tonnes and 1.5-tonnes respectively.

According to Philippe Divry, CEO of Flexis, who has over 35 years’ experience in the industry, the timing is right for this purpose built and cost effective major initiative to happen, as all the main van fleet operators strive to move to zero emissions.

logistics players to co-create the services to meet operational needs and improve the B2B offer on the market.”

Flexis presents range of vehicles and embedded solutions for electric, connected urban logistics – In brief:

n Three vehicle models based on a common EV-native skateboard platform with SDV (Software Defined Vehicle) electronic architecture, presented to respond to European urban logistics challenges

n Flexis has entered its industrialization and pre-commercialization phase and will produce in Renault Group Sandouville plant (France) and deliver first vehicles to customers in 2026 n Ten LOI (letters of intent) have been announced in France, the UK, and Germany, including Colis Privé, HIVED, and DB Schenker.

aBOUT F LEXIS

Founded in 2024, Flexis is a European mobility solutions company based in France (Villebon-sur-Yvette). Flexis designs, develops and sells a new generation of 100% electric commercial vans and provides fleet management solutions based on a Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) architecture. Flexis offers

“Our mission at Flexis is to support and accelerate the electrification of the urban logistics industry, which is looking to operate more sustainably, improve profitability and improve the operations security and safety for drivers in a sector that continues to grow,” explained Philippe. “Since the creation of Flexis, we have worked with customers and

low-carbon, efficient logistics solutions by vehicles that meet the combined needs of last-mile delivery professionals, their drivers, and the cities they operate within. The first Flexis electric vans are expected to roll off the assembly line at Renault Group’s Sandouville plant in 2026. An independent company, Flexis is a joint venture between the Renault Group, the Volvo Group and CMA CGM. Text & Photos: Jarlath Sweeney – editor@fleet.ie

desmond wisley Ecclesiastical supplies is a family-run church supplies business with over 40 years’ experience, covering all of the island of ireland and beyond. from its Ballinamore, County leitrim base, the firm stocks a large range of related products including wine, bread, altar cloths, banners, candles and vestments.

With its aim of providing a wide range of superior quality products for all ecclesiastical needs, excellent customer care is provided via an efficient distribution service.

To ensure timely deliveries, Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies depends on Mercedes-Benz and its Sprinter panel

Special version Mercedes-Benz Sprinter meets Desmond Wisley Ecclesiastical Supplies needs

van. The business recently traded-in a 2011-reg 316 model for a new 319, featuring special adaptions including electric sliding side doors.

Des Wisley explained more about the purchase. “As luck would have it, we went back to Gilmores of Kingscourt, who we have dealt with for 30 years. They had a new Mercedes Sprinter 319 longwheel-base panel van in stock that suited us down to the ground. It had special fittings that suited our operation, as we spend nights away when far from home

A duo of Mercedes-Benz

outside the MUtEC MercedesBenz Commercial Vehicle sales Centre on the naas Road, dublin were these two new Mercedes-Benz sprinter 319/36 4x4 high-Roof select spec models destined for delcom ltd. Delcom Ltd., based in Clonsilla,

Dublin is involved in all aspects of underground cable installations since 1989. The company has been contracted to major telecommunication and power projects

base. We were happy therefore to do the deal.”

“The next job was to convert it to walk-through inside from cabin to the back and to section off a rest area from the load section. This was done to perfection by Martin Keogh, Eworks, Mullingar, who also fitted the inverter, night-heater, microwave and lighting systems,” added Des.

The company also runs a MercedesBenz Atego truck.

throughout Ireland for clients in the industry.

‘Go anywhere” Sprinters for Delcom New Mercedes-Benz Citan Van for MUTEC’s Parts Department

Pictured

MUtEC, the MercedesBenz Commercial Vehicle sales Centre on the naas Road, dublin has added this new Mercedes-Benz

Citan ii 110 l1 Pro van into its parts delivery fleet.

Citan II shared the International Van of the Year 2022 Award with the Renault Kangoo.

OPEL LCV RANGE

CARRIER OF POSSIBILITIES

www.fleetcar.ie

Volume 22. No. 1 Spring 2025

Edited by Cathal Doyle - cathal@fleet.ie

EU vehicle manufacturers support urgent action after Strategic Dialogue meeting

a meeting at the end of January hosted by European Commission President Ursula von der leyen to strengthen the global competitiveness of Europe’s automotive industry underscored a shared sense of urgency among manufacturers and suppliers regarding key issues of concern. these include a slower than anticipated market uptake for zero-emission vehicles, and a lack of enabling conditions that significantly hinder the EU’s progress towards zero-emission mobility targets.

The meeting, which was attended by key members including CEOs of the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) - the organisation that represents the 16 major Europebased car, van, truck and bus makers, highlighted that new evidence of a

worsening outlook for electric vehicle market reinforced the need for urgent action, and that future meetings and discussions must actively involve all manufacturers and suppliers with substantial industrial footprints in Europe,

Ola Källenius, CEO of MercedesBenz and ACEA President: “The EU auto industry remains fully committed and economically invested in the transition towards zero-emission mobility. But the only way for this transition to succeed is to make it a market- and demand-driven transformation. The upcoming Action Plan must be built on this premise. The reality check to the current European Green Deal will not slow us down, but rather propel this transition by removing bottlenecks and introducing necessary flexibilities.”

Renault seeks to set new efficiency records with Filante Record 2025

this striking looking machine is the Renault filante Record 2025. it’s an electric demo-car designed to demonstrate exactly how efficient a modern car battery can be by setting new record for power consumption and range.

The Filante Record 2025 is fitted with an 87kWh battery, in other words the same capacity as found on current Renault production models like the Scenic E-Tech. After being showcased at the Rétromobile motor show in Paris from 5 to 9 February 2025, it will then commence attempting to establish a new record for efficiency in the first half of the year.

Inspired by Renault record-setting machines of the past, namely the 40 CV des Records (1925-1926), Nervasport des Records (1934) and Etoile Filante (1956),

the Renault Filante Record 2025 is fitted with unique friction-reducing tyres, along with steer-by-wire and brake-bywire technologies.

The world of aeronautics provides the main inspiration for the design, with every detail of the bodywork optimised to reduce drag. Other details that pay homage to the record setters of the past include the round headlamps and the wheels separated from the body reminiscent of the 40 CV des Records and Nervasport des Records, the wheel fairings (Etoile Filante), pointed grille, cabin position and seat adjustment strap (40 CV des Records).

To achieve the highest level of aerodynamic performance, engineers sought to optimise the airflow around the car, with particular emphasis on the transition between the different parts

Christian Levin, CEO of Traton, Scania and Chair of the Commercial Vehicle Board: “The transition of the automotive industry hinges on a shared understanding of challenges and opportunities between business and public policy. President von der Leyen was clear on the Commission’s ambition to cut the red tape while taking further action to speed up the green transition, thus securing European competitiveness. Commercial vehicle manufacturers expressed their support for ambitious climate targets but underlined that targets alone are not enough. Rapid infrastructure deployment and other enabling conditions, such as total cost of ownership (TCO) parity and demand-side measures, are essential.”

of the vehicle. The elongated shape of the single-seater played a key role here, since longer vehicles allow better control of the aerodynamic flow, thereby reducing interference. In order to make the car as light yet as strong as possible a combination of ultralight materials such as carbon fibre and advanced manufacturing techniques were used, helping the Filante Record 2025 to weigh in at less than 1,000kg. Of that total weight the battery accounts for 600kg, with the cells integrated directly into the battery pack without intermediate modules, thereby reducing the weight of the battery pack while also optimising its form factor and the available space.

the EV3, a new all-electric compact sUV from Kia Motors has gone on sale and is set to compete against rivals such as the Volkswagen id.3, Cupra Born, Renault Megane E-Tech and Smart #1.

The Korean brand is highlighting roominess as a key feature - the EV3 is the widest model in its class giving it a spacious interior with 1,060 mm of front legroom and 950mm in the rear.

Kia’s new EV3 offers spaciousness and long range performance

Headroom is also generous at 1,015mm/955mm front/rear. 460 litres of boot space are available with the seats up (plus an additional 25 litres in the frunk).

Two battery sizes - a 58.3kWh Standard Range and an 81.4kWh Long Range are both matched to a 204hp electric motor. Stated ranges are 436 and 605km respectively. The EV3 also features bi-directional charging, allowing you to power your home or feed power back to the grid.

XPENG - The latest newcomer to arrive on the Irish EV market

XPEnG is yet another Chinese car brand to enter the irish EV market. as we’ve come to expect from these asian offerings, it’s set to offer high levels of sophistication and quality with high specifications, while providing good value for money.

XPENG’s first model introduction is the sleek 4-door G6 Coupé SUV, which comes in three model variants: a ‘Standard’ range, ‘Long Range’ (both with rear-wheel drive), and ‘Performance’ (with permanent all-wheel drive).

opel’s new Grandland has gone on sale in ireland. the flagship sUV model for the brand is offered with mild hybrid, plug-in hybrid and full electric power options and is available in three trims of sC, Elegance and Gs. Prices range from €39,995 to €43,765 excl. dealer delivery charges for the Electric models (including grants), while the mild hybrid versions are available from €40,995 to €44,995. the Plug-in hybrid

G6 Standard Range models (190 kW/258 hp, 440 Nm) are powered by a 66kWh battery pack with a 435 km WLTP driving range, while the Long Range and all-wheel drive Performance versions with their larger 87.5kWh batteries have a WLTP range of up to 570kms. 571 litres in the luggage compartment is expandable to 1,374 litres with rear seats folded. Optional on all models is an electrically deployable towbar with a towable capacity of 1,500 kgs.

The first two models come on the market from €42,000 (Standard) and

Inside the EV3 boasts a triple panoramic display made up of a 12.3 inch Driver Instrument Cluster, a 5.3 inch touchscreen dedicated for climate functions, and a 12.3 inch Navigation touchscreen. There’s also a 12.3 inch Head-Up Display (HUD) in front of the driver.

Three trim levels are offered - Earth 2, Earth 3 and GT Line, with the smaller battery only offered with the Earth 2 spec. Prices start from €36,790 (after grants) for the 58.3kWh Earth 2 model, up to €47,190 for the 81.4kWh GT Line.

€49,440 (Long Range) inclusive of all EV grants and incentives.

Sold through XPENG South Dublin with a country-wide network of dealers to follow, XPENG models set to arrive after the G6 include the flagship G9 SUV, a P7 Sedan, and P7+ Fastback Sedan.

Jarlath sweeney

Grand in all aspectsOpel’s new flagship

version will go on sale later this year with prices to be advised.

The new Grandland is the first Opel to be built on the Stellantis Group’s STLA Medium platform and is longer, wider and higher than the model it replaces. That manifests itself in 20mm more legroom in the rear, 36 litres of cabin storage, and up to 1,645 litres load volume in the boot.

Notable features include Intelli-Lux HD light technology, featuring more than 50,000 lighting elements (standard on GS trims), an illuminated Opel Blitz logo in the front of the car, and illuminated OPEL lettering at the rear.

The Mild Hybrid model has a 136hp

SUV

1.2 litre 3-cylinder petrol turbo engine matched with a 21kW (28hp) electric motor. Opel says it will run on electric power 50% of the time in urban driving. Initial drives in this car reveal ample power with seamless switching between petrol and electric engines.

The EV model features a 73kWh battery providing a range of up to 523km and fast DC charging at speeds of up to 160kW. Later in the year a 97kWh battery offering up to 700km range will be offered.

The next issue of Fleet Car will feature an exclusive first overseas drive review of the new Grandland Plug-In Hybrid. Cathal doyle

Cathal doyle

the fall in the growth of sales of electric cars has seen many brands hurriedly releasing hybrid models to meet demands. MG previously only sold EVs here but now offers both hybrid and Plug-in hybrid mid-sized crossovers in the form of the Zs hybrid+ and hs PhEV, with the latter being the model tested here.

One of the problems with plug-in hybrids is that in most cases the electric range available is very limited, typically ranging from 30 to 70 or 80 kilometres before the battery is depleted. However, thanks to a 24.7kWh battery matched to a 154kW electric motor, the HS Plug-in Hybrid offers up to 120km of electric driving, which makes it much more functional as an everyday EV compared to rival PHEVs.

On the ICE side a 1.5-litre petrol

A PHEV that goes the distance

Tested: MG HS Plug-in Hybrid

engine is reasonably economical - on a cross country run where the battery was not charged prior to departure returned 6.8l/100km. Keep the battery charged and unless you’re constantly driving long distances, this should be a very economical car to run.

There’s more to the HS Plug-in Hybrid than just battery though as it’s a well finished and specified family sized crossover using good quality materials that make it feel quite upmarket. It’s spacious too, notably for legroom in the back. Like nearly every crossover you won’t buy it for its handling prowess, but ride comfort is well up to standard.

Not quite so good is the touchscreen which requires a quite deliberate placement of a finger in the right place to operate, while

Suzuki reminds us that driving can be fun

it’s probably a damning reflection on the current state of the motor industry that arguably the car i most enjoyed driving in 2024 was also probably the least powerful. superminis like the suzuki swift are becoming a dying breed, with the world seemingly having forgotten how much driving pleasure there is to be had from a small, light and agile car that is still practical and large enough for most people’s needs.

This is the fourth generation Swift, but it retains the familiar appealing design language since the first model launched in 2004. The upright stance maximises interior space and provides good visibility. As with cars of this size, rear seat legroom is a little restricted but the Swift can still accommodate four adults in reasonable comfort. Access is easy also. And for one of the cheaper cars on the market the Swift is well specced, with wireless Apple CarPlay, heated

seats and a rear view camera.

a lot of the information provided is poorly laid out and hard to read. Most annoying though are the over-intrusive ADAS safety features, in particular the Driver Distraction Monitoring function which reacts every time you move your eyes from the straight ahead position. You can turn it off but have to do it every time you restart the engine.

That aside the HS Plug-in Hybrid has a lot going for it. With competitive pricing from €40,995, offering a refined ride, well specified, and coming with that generous EV range, it makes a reasonable case for being the best PHEV on the market at present.

model Tested mG HS Plug-in Hybrid (Exclusive trim)

Price as tested €43,995 (prices from €40,995)

Engine 1.5-litre petrol engine with 15kW electric motor

Range Up to 120km in electric mode, up to 1,000km combined

Power Combined power output of 299bhp (FWD)

0-100km/h 6.8 seconds

In fact my only criticism is road noise levels which can be intrusive - for instance callers struggled to hear me over a bluetooth connected phone when driving.

A 1.5 litre 3-cylinder petrol complete with mild-hybrid technology produces by modern standards a rather measly 82PS, but as the car has a kerb weight of only 984kg it’s more than sufficient to propel the Swift along….swiftly (ahem!).

run - I returned 4.6 litres/100km - though a fuel tank capacity of just 37 litres will mean fairly regular refills.

For €21,970 OTR (inc options) for this test car, the Swift is a reminder that a light, compact, petrol car can be cheap to buy and run, yet fun to drive and very desirable. Do you really need anything else?

model Tested Suzuki Swift 1.2 mild Hybrid motion

Price as tested €21,970

Engine 1.2-litre 3 cylinder mild hybrid

A slick 5 speed gearbox and well weighted steering make for a rewarding driving experience that’s sadly absent from too many other cars today. Nor will it cost a lot to

Power / Torque 82 PS / 112 Nm

Emissions 99 g/km (WLTP)

Stated fuel economy 4.4l/100km (64.2 mpg)

0-100km/h 12.5 seconds

More thought needs to go into the design and layout of public EV charging facilities

a colleague recently observed a contretemps between two drivers at an EV public charging station. the cause, it appeared, was the driver of one car - a fully electric EV - taking issue with another (who was driving a plug-in hybrid) charging his vehicle. the EV driver obviously felt strongly that as the PhEV could run on petrol, it should not be taking a charge point when there were others in pure EVs queuing behind.

It does raise an interesting question…what’s the etiquette for using public charging facilities? Should PHEVs be allowed to delay EVs from being charged?

On one hand the whole point of PHEVs is that they can be driven on electric power only, albeit their ranges are typically much smaller than those of pure EVs. A major criticism levied at them by the green lobby is that too often their owners do not charge them and end up running on petrol power all the time. Therefore if an owner is doing the right thing by wanting to charge their car when possible, surely that’s a good thing, right? Are they not just as entitled to use a charge point as the drivers of EVs?

On the other hand, PHEVs are generally slow to charge compared to EVs, so getting the power to cover even a short distance will take a lot of time. They’re really designed for overnight charging. Indeed the majority aren’t even capable of accepting DC charging, and those that can typically are limited to speeds of not much more than 20kW.

So it’s understandable that a driver of an EV may get irate if a PHEV charging at a DC rate of 20kW is plugged into a charger capable of outputting 150 or 200kW of power. That’s not efficient use of time or energy for anyone.

A slightly different scenario is if the DC fast charger also has a connection for AC cables. While the newer more powerful chargers tend to be DC only, there are still plenty of the older 50kW units around that also have AC connections. This should allow an EV on DC power and a PHEV using AC cables to charge side by side - provided there is parking space to do so. Too often poor design layouts mean the driver wanting to use the AC charger may have no option but to take the space where a driver wanting the DC charger needs to park.

Clearly, better layouts could go a long way to addressing scenarios like that outlined. The poor design and location of public charging points is a topic I’ve written about in this column before. Although the number of charging facilities is increasing, not much is changing with regards to providing a customer friendly experience. For instance I’ve yet to come across an EV charging space in this country that isn’t open to the elements, and most are located well away from amenities like restrooms and shops/restaurants. In comparison is there even a single petrol/ diesel refuelling facility in the country that isn’t covered?

There’s another potential flash point with regards to the design of public charging facilities which seems to be blithely overlooked, namely the lack of properly defined queuing systems for vehicles waiting to avail of the next free charger. Clearly the driver waiting longest should have first priority, but as it is it’s too often a free-for-all, with waiting cars often having to park amongst ICE vehicles while their drivers hope that anybody arriving subsequently will realise that they were there first and not jump in ahead of them.

It’s a situation that’s easily open to misunderstanding and tension, and with more and more EVs on our roads is only likely to become more fraught. It cannot be compared to a busy petrol station where it takes a handful of minutes to refuel so if someone dives in in front of you it’s no big deal. An electric car is going to be spending at least twenty minutes at a charging point so anyone jumping the queue is very likely to feel the wrath of their fellow EV motorists.

Ultimately a little fore-planning in designing public EV charging spaces can resolve both of the issues highlighted here. Firstly, create enough space around chargers that will accommodate vehicles for all the charging ports provided (factoring in that connection points can be located anywhere on cars), and secondly provide a dedicated lane for vehicles queuing for the next available free charger. Surely that shouldn’t be too difficult?

STORAGE SPACE!

Combilift’s range of multidirectional forklifts, pedestrian reach trucks, straddle carriers and container loaders will allow you to maximize the capacity, improve efficiency and enhance the

Contact Us Today

To find out how Combilift can help you

The Irish Magazine for the Materials Handling, Warehousing & Logistics Sectors

The Irish Magazine for the Materials Handling, Warehousing & Logistics Sectors

Moffett Engineering owner hiab, part of Cargotec, has secured significant orders in the Usa for its truck-mounted forklift and hiaB loader crane. two large home improvement segment customers placed a supply deal for the dundalk built Moffett “Mountys’ worth a combined value of €19.5 million. in a separate order, a roofing and building material distributor ordered Moffetts and hiaBs for a total value of €5.9 million. the orders were booked in Q4, 2024 with deliveries scheduled to commence during this year.

Hiab has maintained long-standing partnerships with all three customers, having been an integral part of their US-wide operations as an equipment and service provider for years.

The truck-mounted forklifts units on order are part of the Moffett M8 NX

Range. With a lifting capacity of up to 3,500 kg, the M8 NX can transfer heavy loads quickly and safely even across challenging terrain, while still being compact enough to be carried on almost any truck or trailer. The M8 NX is available with a wide range of options and attachments, including 4-way steering for negotiating tight access areas with long loads.

“We are happy to once again deliver on the needs of three of our long-standing partners in the home improvement segment in the US. Moffett has been a preferred product for its versatility and applications in all kinds of different scenarios related to home improvement projects, among others. Our technology integrations, enhanced safety features and improved ergonomic design continue to provide best-in-class

options for our customers,” said Bryan Rupert, Business Line Director, Moffett Truck Mounted Forklifts, Hiab USA. The ordered Hiab loader cranes comprise four models from the heavy range portfolio (30–100Tm) with the majority of the units being Hiab K-HiPro 425. The cranes have the HiPro advanced remote controlled system for optimalprecision, performance, safety and full remote control over the toughest jobs in construction and other industries.

“Hiab’s long-standing partnership with all three customers highlights our deep understanding of their needs in the US market. The established relationship provides a strong foundation for future collaboration and growth,” said Pauliina Kunvik, Senior Vice President Sales and Services, North America, Hiab.

forklift safety is paramount in materials handling. as with other mobile and industrial equipment, lift truck operations may carry an inherent risk of incidents, particularly when proper maintenance and operation are neglected. this can lead to damages and downtime, as well as injuries.  figures show that transport and handling equipment contribute to a considerable proportion of non-fatal and fatal workplace accidents.

Hyster, together with its dealers, is committed to help identify the steps to take to reduce certain risks around forklift incidents in a particular application. That’s why its new freeof-charge forklift incident checklist download covers common forklift incident risks and considerations that may help support company’s safety processes.

To download the Hyster Forklift Risk Checklist, log-on to: https://www.hyster. com/en-gb/emea/support-resources/blog/ forklift-risk-checklist--download-from-hyster-now/

The checklist covers considerations such as:

n collisions – considerations for your warehouse space and for training

n Fall from a height – ways to help minimise risk

n Forward tilt – avoid risk with correct operation and supervision

n Technical malfunction – service and maintenance may play a part in safety

n Falling loads – accommodating forklift traffic

n Tip over – site layout can affect risk

n Physical injuries – points for operators and pedestrians

By downloading the Hyster Forklift

Safety Checklist, you can take proactive steps to underpin safe forklift operating practices in your tough handling operations. Ideal for managers, supervisors, trainers, and operators alike, the checklist can be a valuable tool as part of your existing protocols for identifying potential hazards and establishing which safety measures and initiatives are put into place.

“Support operational safety, every shift’

In Europe, the largest share of all fatal accidents at work took place while people were driving or on board transport or handling equipment (17.2 %). Losing control of machines, tools, or transport and handling equipment is also the leading cause of both non-fatal and fatal accidents, accounting for 25.7 % of the latter in the EU. This highlights how safety requires constant focus and attention from lift truck operators, pedestrians, supervisors, and managers alike.

To help tough materials handling applications that are focused on forklift safety, Hyster has a range of free-ofcharge posters. Download, print and place them in your office, break room, plant, or industrial warehouse as a handy reminder of best practice for your team. n reduce the risk of 7 Types of Forklift Incidents – Use this poster as a visual reminder of some of the different types of forklift incidents and steps you can take to reduce risk. Relevant for managers as well as operators.

n Forklift safety tips – Tackle complacency and keep safety front of mind for operators. This safety-themed poster has a range of essential forklift operation safety

Safety in focus at Hyster Forklifts

tips. It can be an ideal recap, even for experienced operators.

n Pedestrian safety tips – Safety in forklift operations involves more than just the operator. This poster is an ideal prompt to help your wider team stay focused on safety and understand how operators and pedestrians can work safely together.

Download the poster via: https:// www.hyster.com/en-gb/emea/support-resources/safety-and-training/forklift-safety-tips/

‘Safety when the going gets tough’

When safety is your focus, solutions from Hyster can help, even in the harshest and most demanding industrial operations. Get access to more downloadable resources, advice, and tough Hyster solutions, sspeak to your local Hyster dealer for advice on optimising your lift truck operations to align with your safety objectives and processes.

New Tilt-able Crane Fork from Palfinger

a new innovative tilt-able crane fork from Palfinger enables precise materials handling transport to great heights and hard-to-reach areas – ideal for work in tightly built-up areas.

For the first time in the European market, a tilt-able crane fork is available that can be fully integrated into the crane system’s overload function, setting new standards in efficiency and safety. It can be quickly and easily mounted on all Palfinger TEC Loader Cranes. Whether in construction, transport and logistics, or infrastructure projects, many industries face the challenge of making building materials usable at great heights. With its tilt-able crane fork, Palfinger now offers an entirely new, innovative solution for the fast and straightforward transport of both palletised and non-palletised materials directly to their destination, such as upper floors. Thanks to its thoughtful geometry and flexibility, loads can be positioned through almost any opening. Lifting materials through façade openings like doors or windows minimises effort and saves valuable time. It eliminates the need for disassembly work on railings or cladding and renders the risky manual pulling of materials obsolete. This advantage enables precise and efficient work, even through the smallest window openings. Temporary platforms or balconies with questionable

load capacities are no longer required as drop-off points.

F UN c TION a L a ND F LEXIBLE IN U SE

The new tilt-able crane fork stands out with its significantly lower overall height compared to other models available on the market. Additional flexibility and safety are ensured by the highly precise hydraulic control of the tilt angle and the integrated strap that secures loads quickly and easily, regardless of their size. The crane fork is mounted on the respective fly jib of the TEC loader crane using the multifunction adapter (MFA) and connected hydraulically. It is compatible with all currently available TEC loader crane models equipped with the Paltronic 180 control system. The tilt-able crane fork is offered in combination with the proven standard pallet fork upper parts PZP-H and PZP-V, ensuring maximum flexibility and application possibilities.

Fork) software function integrates the crane fork into the overload system of TEC loader cranes. In case of an overload, the remote control provides an active warning and allows only movements that reduce the load moment. These clear warnings simplify operation, prevent accidents, and protect the crane, thus increasing its availability.

S ETTING N EW S Ta NDar DS IN Sa FETY

As the first and only solution on the European market, the tilt-able crane fork meets the requirements of EN12999, the standard for loader cranes. The specially developed MTCF (Monitor Tilt-able Crane

E XPE r IEN c E IT L IVE

Interested parties can test the new crane fork directly at Palfinger or see it in action at the bauma 2025 event in April in Munich, Germany.

Text: Rob van Dieten – rob@fleet.ie

Diversity of Dennison Trailers Delivered!

naas-headquartered dennison trailers, which celebrated 60 years in the trade last year has begun 2025 on a really positive note, with a number of fleet sales that particularly demonstrate the versatility and flexibility of the range of design and specification offerings from the long established family owned company.

PrL Group Limited, Rathcoole, County Dublin purchased three 4.65m tall sloped roof double deck curtain sides, with 9.1m fixed second deck with a 2.1m lower and 1.4m upper aperture. They have a 44 standard pallet capacity. Other spec details include: Solid rear bulkhead, ENXL Spec curtains, Inner mesh security curtains in three sections, BPW drum brakes on 17.5” wheels, 28mm Keruing Floor on trailer, Fibre grid floor on deck, Ferry lashing rings, Flashing Side Lights, and TPMS (Tyre pressure monitoring).

Two sliding skeletal trailers were supplied to  Edward Lundy Haulage, Ballina, County Mayo. They come with a 14-Lock Twist lock configuration for carrying 20’, 30’, 40’, 45’ and a heavy 20’ containers. Included on the specification sheet were BPW drum brakes, Knorr Bremse EBS, Flashing Side Lights and TPMS, with the trailers tried and tested on the Dennison roller.

Longwood Transport, Enfield, County Meath bought this new 4.25m curtainsider which meets full ENXL specification. It is fitted with BPW drum brakes, 28mm Keruing Floor with omega profile, Side guard infill plates, Flashing Side Lights and TPMS. The new semi-trailer was collected by the firm’s brand new Scania 660 S unit.

Three new 12.2m long Drop Frame Platform trailers have gone into operation at Keegan Quarries, Keegan Quarries, County Meath, fitted with 4 Twist Locks for a 20’ rack to carry concrete, BPW drum brakes and 19.5” wheels, Wabco Brake system with Suspension raise lower valve, Flashing Side Lights, TPMS and Ships Ferry Rings.

“These new trailers have joined the Keegan fleet alongside two similar units, supplied in 2006 which are still going strong,” according to David Dennison, Director, Dennison Trailers.

Finalists announced for IFOY Awards 2025

The International Forklift & Intralogisitics (IFOY) organization has announced the nominations for the IFOY Awards 2025. From a total of 49 products submitted, 21 devices and solutions of 15 intralogistics providers across six countries have made it to the final in Dortmund. The nominated innovations include entries from aluco, EP Equipment Germany, Exotec, Geekplus Europe, HUBTEX, Interroll, Jungheinrich, Logitrans, PLANCISE, STILL and Verity.

In the “IFOY Start-up of the Year” spin-off award, Blickfeld, ecoro, enabl and Filics are in the running for the coveted title.

Six weeks of intensive work by the IFOY organization, test teams and the international jury (with Fleet Transport/Handling Network, representing Ireland) went into selecting the finalists. “Never before have there been so many applications, and the selection process has rarely been so demanding. All 21 nominated products and solutions are among the very best in the world of intralogistics. They impress with pioneering technologies, practical application and outstanding customer benefits. The IFOY audit will show who is ahead,” says Anita Würmser, Chairwoman of the IFOY jury. She expects tough discussions in the jury sessions before the eight winner trophies are awarded on July 3 in Dortmund’s Phoenix des Lumières.

N O m IN aTIONS FO r IFOY 2025 aWar DS

categories and Products Shortlisted for the International Forklift & Intralogistics awards 2025

Jungheinrich - EFG 425

EP Equipment: EFL 10t High Voltage War EHOUSE Tr U c K

JungheinrichETV 214i

EP Equipment: X Mover EXP15

Geekplus Europe - RoboShuttle 11

Geekplus Europe - SkyCube

Geekplus

Jungheinrich & MHP @ Wildeboer

*Full details on each nominee will feature in the next edition. Text: Jarlath Sweeney - editor@fleet.ie

Verity Inventory Tracking System at Ingka Group

Geekplus Europe - Roboshuttle + P40 Tote-to-Person Solution with Dr. Max Italy

S PE c I a L OF THE YE ar

Interroll - MCP PLAY

aluco STRIX

IFOY S Tar T - UP OF THE YE ar

Filics Unit

enabl Technologies - Forklift Remote Automation

ecoro P2X

Blickfield - QbProtect

Materials Handling industry continues to invest and innovate

while 2024 was challenging for the European materials handling sector in terms of sales growth, it was also a year of significant innovation with a strong focus on digitisation, ai, automation and sustainability. it also saw several major forklift brands add additional electric models to their materials handling ranges to satisfy the demand for eco-friendly equipment. Partially due to a slowdown in the Chinese economy, 2024 was also a year when producers from asia became even more visible on the European market, offering lithium powered machines at very competitive prices. distributors for the established brands are introducing additional ‘low cost’ alternatives to their product offering, to ensure they can provide both premium and ‘basic’ machines, depending on the customer’s application and budget. from an irish perspective the outlook for 2025 is generally positive as the overall economy remains strong, with the construction, manufacturing and it sectors continuing to drive demand. industry expert Joe o’Brien takes a look at the continuous evolution of products and services from the main stakeholders.

Since its introduction to the market, BYD has continued to evolve its electric forklift range to meet the demands of its European customers. Ranging in capacity from 1.6-tonnes to 8-tonnes, BYD trucks are all powered by patented Lithium Iron-Phosphate Battery Technology. For customers seeking to transition to electric from traditional gas or diesel-powered internal combustion (IC) forklifts, the competitively priced BYD SEF35 counterbalance forklift truck represents value for money. With a single drive motor delivering torque to the

wheels, it has been configured to feel like an IC forklift truck, while benefiting from being a zero-emission vehicle, which is quieter and more energy-efficient. BYD offers industry-leading battery warranty as the new BYD ECB25i and ECB35i come with an eight-year (or 15,000 hours) warranty.

www.electricforkliftsireland.com

Combilift’s status as a leading global manufacturer continues to grow and was recognised by winning multiple awards in 2024, including Irish Exporter of the Year for a third time. New product development remains the driving force and the Combi-CB70E is a further addition to Combilift’s ever growing range of electric models which offer sustainability, powerful performance, extensive battery life and excellent ergonomics. This model, boasts the distinction of being the most compact 7-tonne capacity counterbalance truck on the market whilst also benefiting from multidirectional capability, enabling the versatile space saving handling of both long and bulky loads.

www.combilift.com

Based in Portadown and Dublin, Clearlift offers the EP Equipment EFL Series. With models such as the EFL181, EFL201, and EFL203(P), these lithium-ion

forklifts are designed for a range of operational requirements, from compact warehouse spaces to large-scale industrial applications.

The EFL181 is a compact, four-wheel forklift engineered to meet the demands of businesses transitioning from outdated internal combustion models. The machine is fitted with an integrated on-board charger and can connect to any standard outlet, facilitating seamless charging without additional infrastructure.

The EFL201 can lift up to 2000 kg and is fitted with a fast-charging 80V lithium-ion battery for longer operating hours, reducing the frequency of charge cycles. The EFL203(P) is designed to handle rigorous tasks in industries such as manufacturing or multi-shift logistics.

www.clearlift.ie

hYst ER

Hyster recently launched a new ‘2-in-1’ truck combining the benefits of both a Low Level Order Picker and a ride on Pallet Truck. The Hyster Order Picker enables manufacturing sites and warehouses to use the same truck for picking up loads and then place them directly into the back of a truck or trailer. Likewise, they can carry out unloading and put loads away, without the need to switch to a different type of forklift. The Hyster LO2.0-3.0P Order Picker Pallet Truck can lift up to 3-tonnes with good ground clearance which enhances use on ramps. Integrated lights, ergonomic handles with lift / lower auxiliary buttons and different drive modes further improve the operator experience.

www.briggsequipment.ie

hYU ndai Mat ER ial h andlin G

HD Hyundai Xitesolution recently unveiled the new BE-X range of electric forklifts trucks. The compact BE-X trucks

BYd

Co MB ilift

feature a drive axle with a 12% energy efficiency enhancement, compared to the previous B-9F machine. This single drive system has a low noise output and a single-drive axle with an IP54 rated motor, which allows outdoor use in bad weather. The deep drop frame delivers a low centre of gravity, with batteries positioned between the front and rear wheels. The BE-X range can be supplied with a lead acid battery or LiFePo4 lithium-ion. A 48V 600Ah battery pack powers the 25BE-X, with an 80V, 500Ah battery for the two larger models. The BE-X forklifts have an anti-roll back system to prevent the machine from rolling down an incline when the accelerator or brake pedals are not applied.

www.masterlift.ie

J U n G h E in R i C h

Jungheinrich’s innovative EJC 112i electric high-lifter was honoured with the prestigious award in the IFOY “Warehouse Truck high-lifter” category in 2024. The German global leader installed lithium-ion battery modules in the truck, which are much smaller than conventional lead-acid batteries. The EJC 112i with a 100 Ah battery has an L2 dimension of just 604 mm, making it 19 mm shorter than the most compact competitor trucks. The result is a turning radius that enables users to manoeuvre the vehicle precisely and safely, in narrow aisles and tight storage areas. By optimising the vehicle’s centre of gravity, the EJC 112i now has a residual load capacity of 650 kg at 4.70 metres.

www.jungheinrich.ie

Linde Material Handling (MH) is replacing its existing range of electric forklifts with a total of 26 new three- and four-wheel truck models with load capacities ranging from 1.0 to 2.0 tonnes. The new range is aimed at the largest market segment of all industrial truck classes, comprised three- and four-wheel electric forklifts with a load range of up to 2- tonnes. The new trucks have been designed to offer significant enhancements in ergonomics and performance including integrated Lithium-ion batteries. The upgraded trucks have also been developed to operate in challenging environmental conditions such as extreme temperatures, dust and dirt.

www.linde-mh.ie

The all-new ESSENTiAL models from Mitsubishi Forklift Trucks is a cost effective entry-level range. Comprising pallet trucks, stackers and mini order pickers, the line-up is described as “straightforward, streamlined, and intuitive for operators.” ESSENTiAL mini order pickers, with their stable mast design and easy-to-use fingertip controls, offer a safe and productive alternative to ladders, with lift height up 5m. The range also includes the ESSENTiAL stacker models for light stacking duties with lift heights up to 3.3m. The compact design is perfect for narrow warehouse aisles and confined spaces such as lifts, mezzanines, and delivery vans.

www.henley.ie

2024 was another milestone year for Dundalk based Moffett Engineering, who produced truck mounted forklift unit number 100,000 in 2024. The entire range is now available in engine powered and fully electric versions including the MOFFETT E8 NX for heavy-duty tasks. Lifting up to 3500 kg, it masters both rough terrain and difficult to reach job sites – transferring loads quickly and safely through busy yards and building sites. Because it’s an all-electric forklift, it’s perfect for use in Low Emission Zones and places where noise is a concern – like residential areas, and night time deliveries.

www.hiab.com/products/truck-mounted-forklifts

The latest Toyota BT Staxio li-ion-powered stand-in stacker SSI200D was a recent winner in the iF Design Awards in 2024. The electro-powered stacker is more compact and manoeuvrable than a conventional forklift. For smooth warehouse operations, camera technologies, cutting edge computing and A.I. make it possible to teach the machine to detect people and objects, make independent decisions and determine action priority, by assessing situations and react accordingly in real time. Drivers of the Staxio benefit from a newly designed operator compartment with improved ergonomics for better comfort and productivity.

www.toyota-forklifts.ie

Text: Joe O’Brien - contributor@fleet.ie

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Mits UB ishi f o RK lifts

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2025 will be a tricky year for Irish Supply Chains

Managing supply Chains has always had its challenges, but there are several issues out there that will make doing so in 2025 particularly difficult.

Following the partial re-opening of Holyhead Port, ferry services on the Irish Sea have returned to normal volumes, if not schedules. Until the second berth at the Welsh Port is repaired there remain considerable risks of delays particularly in times of high winds. A further issue for hauliers is the fact that, with such intensive use of the only operational berth, the time that can be allocated to each vessel is restricted. This has put the operation of unaccompanied trailer services under pressure, with many hauliers having to switch to operating in the more expensive driver-accompanied mode. This will inevitably lead to higher freight costs for cargo owners.

The availability of capacity on Dublin/ Liverpool services is likely to increase during 2025 as will capacity on Stena Line’s Belfast/Heysham service following the introduction of new vessels.

Sticking with ferries, significant events during 2025 will include the introduction of rail services from Cherbourg and Dunkirk which can carry trailers and containers to and from Iberia and Central Europe. The flood of early year announcements included new and improved ferry services from French, Spanish and Italian ports to a range of destinations along the entire North African coast and Turkey. The introduction of these services by the major European Ferry Companies is in response to the growth of “near-shoring” by manufacturing and distribution companies throughout Europe, mainly in response to growing uncertainties about supply chains linking Europe and Asia.

This same move is also being supported by the development of TransMediterranean Lo-Lo container shipping services and of container services linking the region with British and Irish Ports. These are likely to become increasingly important for shipment of cargo in temperature-controlled containers.

For cargo owners exporting or importing goods from further afield, particularly Asia, 2025 remains a challenging year. The same may also be said for traders with the USA. In the Asian case the immediate issue is whether the major container carriers will return to use the Suez Canal rather than using the significantly longer route round the Cape of Good Hope. At the time of writing the signals are good that this will happen within weeks rather than months. For the shipping lines switching services to the more direct route is far from a simple matter. The shorter transit time will lead to significant port congestion both in Asia and at the European hub ports. Already transit via Rotterdam has been subject to congestion and the schedule changes are likely to make this more significant. Some Lines involved in traffic to and from Ireland have already switched to putting the Irish containers on sailings that call at Antwerp and other less congested ports. The switch back to Suez Canal transit should enable the carriers to reduce the ocean freight rates and surcharges to cargo owners in the hope of stimulating traffic growth.

A shorter transit time on a particular route reduces the Line’s requirement for vessels and this will happen just as a significant flood of new, more environmentally friendly, and cheaper to operate vessels come into service.

For cargo owners involved in shipping using transatlantic services the implications of President Trump’s trade philosophy may take longer to show. Matters between the US East Coast Dockworkers and their employers appear to have been resolved, and all ports are operating normally. The new agreement would appear to allow the introduction of more technology in port operations, leading to more efficiency and lower costs.

In February the existing marketing and operational alliances between the major Deep-sea container shipping lines come to an end and are being replaced by new ones. This is likely to mean that, particularly in Asia, there will be much more use made of feeder services operating a “hub-and-spoke” operation through major ports.

2025 will be a year of continuous change in Supply Chain for all cargo owners.

Text: Howard Knott – howard@fleet.ie

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