NEWS INSIDE

Hauliers back-track on paperwork to sidestep Brexit chaos, says IRU

Hauliers revert to TIR carnet system

By Chris Tindall

It’s ‘back to the future’ for international hauliers needing smooth transport across borders after Brexit, as firms return to the TIR system, the International Road Transport Union (IRU) has claimed.

The IRU said paperwork, delays and a shortage of customs brokers and transit guarantees meant transport operators were turning to the TIR carnet as “a simple, cost-effective and easily accessible” method of managing new customs arrangements at borders.

The union highlighted the case of Polish haulier Sachs Trans, whose driver (pictured) transported a sealed load of medical supplies from Raciborz to Ashford in Kent and sped through customs with just “a TIR carnet in the cabin and a blue TIR plate on the back of the trailer”.

TIR is operated by the IRU and UK hauliers can apply to join it as members of either the RHA or Logistics UK.

To comply, operators must meet financial requirements verified by HMRC checks, deposit a £3,500 admission guarantee and have trailers with a GB60 certificate showing they meet TIR requirements. They are then issued with a TIR carnet allowing them to transport goods cross-border using the TIR system. Subcontractors can also be included.

John Lucy, who leads the RHA Customs Brokerage team, said: “TIR is the only universal system that allows goods to transit from a country of origin to a country of destination in sealed compartments within customs control regulations, preventing unnecessary border checks.”

Scania’s British MD steps down into early retirement

Scania (Great Britain) MD Martin Hay has taken early retirement.

Hay has worked for Scania for more than 30 years, with roles in the dealer network, at importer level and at Scania’s headquarters in Sweden.

In 2009, he moved to Scania GB’s Milton Keynes headquarters to take up the role of sales director. From there, he transferred to Scania AB to become vice-president of truck sales.

He was then appointed MD for Scania (Great Britain) in September 2018.

Commenting on the decision, Hay said: “I have been extremely fortunate to have worked for Scania for the majority of my career and will certainly miss my colleagues and the many friends I have made along the way.

“However, the time feels right for me to move on, as I have decided to make a lifestyle change which I believe will be in the best interests of myself and my family.”

Midlands haulier set to build new lorry park

A Midlands haulage company wants to build on vacant land in Walsall and park up to 40 HGVs as part of an expansion plan that will create new jobs.

PMT Haulage has applied to the council to convert almost 1.4 acres of land in Darlaston into a haulage yard, where vehicles and trailers will be securely parked.

It said eight full-time jobs will be created if the application gets the green light – two security guards and six HGV drivers.

The site, which is close to the M6 and A4038, will be used 24 hours a day, with between 10 and 40 lorries or trailers parked on it at its maximum.

In the application, agent First City said: “The proposed use will have no impact on neighbouring tenants/ businesses.

“The proposed activities will not result in the creation of excess noise or odour and the opening times will not result in any impact on neighbours due to its sustainable location within an employment and industrial area.” ■ Firethorn Trust is looking to build a 500,000sq ft logistics park in Peterborough with plans to open it in the summer of 2022. The £60m Kingston Park development is expected to create 150 jobs.

Amazon now chasing Royal Mail’s tail after becoming second-largest courier

Amazon Logistics has risen to become the UK’s second-largest courier by parcel volume, according to Pitney Bowes’ parcel shipping index.

Its most recent update showed that Royal Mail was ranked the largest, with 35% of all UK parcel shipments, followed by Amazon Logistics with 15%, Hermes (10%), UPS (8%) and DHL (7%).

Together, the top five account for 75% of UK parcel shipments by volume.

DPD made the top five in terms of revenue with 8% of parcel market share – equal with DHL.

David Jinks, ParcelHero head of consumer research, said: “Amazon has conquered almost every market it has entered. Now it is the turn of the delivery market.

“We predicted Amazon Logistics would ultimately become a delivery company in its own right. Sure enough, in 2020 the company announced Amazon Shipping in the UK, a new parcel pick-up and delivery service available to any business, whether they use Amazon’s e-commerce platform to sell on or not.”