Day: 28 July 2020

Seatrade has launched a second regular service at the Port of Dover for the discharge of perishable cargo, which the port says highlights its exceptional position as a world leader in the handling of fresh produce.

Port of Dover Cargo is now officially the UK Port of call for Seatrade’s fast, direct, and dedicated Zodiac and Rayo Reefer services, meaning the leading reefer operator will now visit the Port twice a week. Dover becomes Seatrade’s UK hub to ensure the quickest possible transit of fruit from the Caribbean and Central and South America into Europe.

The recent arrival of the Swedish Stream vessel into Dover from Puerto Barrios marked the first of regular visits to the UK Port by the Zodiac service, connecting the Caribbean with Europe and on its way back, France with Columbia, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Honduras.

It joins the Rayo Reefer Service which launched in Dover over 10 years ago, connecting the ports of Puerto Bolivar, Guayaquil and Paita directly with the UK and France.

Nik Scott-Gray, General Manager at Port of Dover Cargo Limited said:

“We are delighted to be welcoming Seatrade back to Dover for many regular calls now and into the future. Port of Dover has an excellent trade in perishable cargo, so we are pleased to be the UK Port of choice for two major Seatrade services.

Port of Dover Cargo Ltd is unrivalled with its efficiency and strategic location next to the world’s busiest shipping lane, so we are perfectly placed to help deliver Seatrade’s fast, direct and dedicated transits.”

Geodis’s appointment of Gary O’Connor at MD for Ireland was effective in June and is aimed at helping drive the France-based global 3PL’s growth in this important market. The strategy will be focused on developing business in the healthcare sector while growing the company’s influence over well-established verticals, including e-Commerce, high tech and FMCG.

He will oversee the operations encompassing Contract Logistics, Overland Transport, Freight Forwarding, Supply Chain Optimization, Express & Parcel Deliveries and effectively manages customers’ supply chains in their totality. “Gary is well qualified for the challenging role,” says Laurent Parat, President and CEO of the WEMEA Region. “As MD in Ireland of another leading logistics company for the last number of years, Gary worked closely within the healthcare sector, serving global clients with large manufacturing or distribution operations in the country. He brings valuable knowledge of a sector that demands high levels of quality and compliance from its 3PL partners.”

O’Connor joins a Geodis team that recently established itself in a new state of the art logistics facility at Dublin Airport Logistics Park. The property extends to almost 20,000 sq m. With a fully secured yard and 15 dock levellers, the new operation benefits from its proximity to the airport as well as swift access to the city centre and road links to the rest of the country.

“I’m hoping to add my 15-year experience of working with healthcare supply chains to that of the Geodis Ireland team, which already has considerable presence in the sector,” says O’Connor. “The growth potential in the Irish healthcare market is encouraging, as is Geodis’ ability to implement true end-to-end control of customers’ supply chains across our other target verticals. I am excited by the possibilities of designing solutions that potentially comprise forwarding, transport, contract logistics, distribution and last-mile delivery and allow our customers to grow their businesses.”

Europe’s leading pallet pooling business, LPR (a division of Euro Pool Group), is continuing its expansion plans despite the impact of Covid-19 with the opening of a new depot.

During July 2020, LPR UK & Ireland opened its first Midlands depot at Coventry. The site, capable of processing 4 million pallets per annum, is operated by James Jones & Sons (Pallets & Packaging) Limited on behalf of LPR and will enable the specialist pallet pooler to achieve its double digit, year on year, growth.

This brand new site is the culmination of more than 18 months of hard work by the team, led by Simon Wood, Operations Director, to ensure that the site and operating capacity will provide both future proofing and reinforce its extensive coverage.

Gil Covey, Non- Executive Chairman at James Jones & Sons (Pallets and Packaging) Limited comments; “We have been working with LPR for many years, and during this time we have used our experience and expertise to support their exceptional growth. The decision by LPR to award James Jones & Sons the contract to operate the Coventry depot, clearly demonstrates LPR’s culture of building long term relationships and partnership working. We look forward to further supporting LPR in the future.”

Simon Wood, Operations Director at LPR UK & Ireland said “The new Midlands depot is the jewel in the LPR UK & Ireland crown and I can’t wait to welcome our partners and customers to this flagship depot – once Government guidelines allow us to do so!”

Adrian Fleming, LPR Managing Director Region North, said “I couldn’t be happier to be able to announce this great news during these uncertain times. The team at LPR UK & Ireland have worked tirelessly to secure this new site to not only support our growth plans, but also to ensure that we are in a position to service our customers when and where they need us.”