pinch as rates decline

The haulage price-per-mile has fallen nearly 2% year on year, despite diesel prices rising 12% in the last year.

Latest data from the TEG Road Transport Price Index showed the average price charged by haulage drivers and companies in February fell for the second consecutive month. The year-on-price was also down, despite meteoric rises in inflation and operational costs.

Haulage prices in February were 3% lower than in January, and 2% down on last February’s figures. This was their lowest level since March 2021.

However, over the past year courier prices have risen by over 10% year on year. The research also showed demand for lower and zero-emission vehicles is growing, hastened by fuel price volatility and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Martin Barber, director at Venturepak, said: “Due to the lightweight nature of the products we import and distribute, they are difficult to stack and cause pallets to become top-heavy, which increases the risk of them going over and the products being damaged.

“This is a major issue as most of our customers operate within the food industry, so if products are damaged they pose a contamination risk and cannot be used. Any refused goods then must be sent back and replaced.

“The frequency of the damages was a significant cost to our business and eliminating the issue has been key to making our business more profitable. SSO Logistics has actively worked to reduce these issues and were our first choice of partner when setting up Venturepak.”

Catering firm opts for Carrier Transicold

A successful trial of doubledeck temperature controlled trailers fitted with Carrier Transicold Vector HE 19 units has led to Wiltshire catering supplier Apetito taking delivery of 10 of the systems.

The new units are mounted to 13.6m Gray & Adams trailers and replace Apetito’s older Carrier Transicoldequipped reefers.