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Conflict will trigger product shortages and soaring costs UK firms will feel the impact of war in Ukraine even if they have no business in Eastern Europe, with rising diesel prices and a shortage of food and industrial products squeezing bottom lines, according to ParcelHero. Freight transport services to the stricken country are now at a virtual stop and services to Russia suspended. David Jinks, ParcelHero head of consumer research, said: “Food retailers are likely to see an increase in prices. “The Russia-Ukraine plains export about
a quarter of the world’s wheat and half of its sunflower products, such as seeds and oil. “In addition, Ukraine sells a lot of corn globally. Some analysts are predicting a doubling of global wheat prices. “Ukraine has a very large heavy-industry base and is one of the largest refiners of metallurgical products in Eastern Europe,” Jinks continued. “It’s also well-known for its production of high-tech goods and transport products. “There are five industries where the
share of Russian exports to the EU is significant: textiles, pharmaceuticals, electrical equipment, machinery and transport equipment. “Supply chains and costs could be impacted in all these sectors,” he added. Supply chain visibility platform FourKites added that as well as seeing rates “skyrocket” for ocean and air freight as TEUs transported from China to the EU by rail are shifted to other modes, shippers, 3PLs and freight forwarders are now in crisis mode.
Border Trucks boss comes to rescue of pair desperate to return home
Ukrainian drivers get helping hand By Chris Tindall
Carlisle-based Border Trucks stepped in to help two stranded Ukrainian HGV drivers get home to their families and defend their country. The two men, Sergii (pictured left, top) and Sasha (below), were spotted by MD Stephen Whitehead parked up outside his premises and out of ideas about how to return to their homeland. In an almost jaw-dropping slice of luck for them, Whitehead’s wife is Ukrainian and so they were able to chat. The couple gave them a bed for the night and then arranged for them to fly from Manchester airport to Poland for the onward journey. Whitehead also arranged for ATF INCREASE: Eight new authorised testing facilities (ATFs) have been opened since the DVSA lifted its moratorium on new sites in June last year, with another 21 approved in principle out of a total of around 50 applications. However, the ATF Operators Association told MT that opening new testing centres without increasing tester capacity would only exacerbate the ongoing shortage of DVSA testers, and repeated previous calls for the DVSA to boost numbers by allowing the use of private sector delegated ATF testers.
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their lorries to be parked in a secure compound belonging to another Carlisle operator, RJ&I Monkhead, where they can remain indefinitely. The haulage boss said Sergii had reached his family and was now defending his country, while Sasha was still attempting to get to Kyiv. n Owens Group has said it will provide space for any Ukrainian drivers who need to park up their HGVs in order to return home due to the escalating conflict in their country. The transport company, based in Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, said it would ensure the vehicles were kept safe and secure free of charge until the drivers were able to return.
Fowler Welch takes bite of Panattoni Park Fowler Welch has signed a 15-year lease on an environmentally sustainable 97,891sq ft facility at Kent’s Panattoni Park Aylesford. The temperature-controlled logistics operator will join logistics giant DHL at the site, which includes several zero-carbon technologies and enhanced sustainability features, as well as 20 dock doors and a 50m yard. Panattoni Park aims to minimise the operational use of carbon, which includes scope three emissions from tenant activity and installed equipment and systems such as heating and lighting. Each building will have air source heat pumps to control temperature in the offices and photovoltaic panels on the roof, reducing energy use by up to 15%. Alex Mitchell, Panattoni development associate, said: “In a short space of time we have signed pre-lets with two high-quality logistics companies, which endorses our belief in the location.” 7.3.22
