16 April, 2021

GEODIS invests in Icheon multi-user facility

Posted on 16 April, 2021 by Keith McKinley

GEODIS has opened a new multi-user logistics facility in Icheon, South Korea.

Responding to the recent surge in demand for supply chain services in South Korea brought about by dynamic changes in consumer buying habits through ecommerce channels, the new facility will provide additional warehousing and value-added contract logistics resources.

Located just 25km from central Seoul and a 90-minute drive from both Incheon International Airport and Port of Incheon, the new multi-user warehousing facility is strategically located in Icheon.

Completed in March 2021, the new premises provide a variable ambient environment with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 34°C. It will be maintaining a maximum humidity of 87% with ventilation system support and is compliant with the Korea Fire Safety Standards. This additional location brings GEODIS logistics footprint in South Korea to 65,000 sq m.

Sub-Regional Managing Director, North Asia, Chris Cahill, said: “In line with our vision of being the growth partner of our customers, this investment in additional warehousing resource is just another step in GEODIS’ commitment to support our Korean customers’ development ambitions and our own expansion into strategic markets.

“From inventory management of raw materials to finished goods, valued-added services and end-to-end solutions, our across-the-board provision logistics platforms facilitates faster speed to market for our customers’ products by being perfectly located to serve their target markets.”

Managing Director for GEODIS in South Korea, Benoit Brule, comments: “Our Icheon amenity is built to state-of-the-art specifications of a Grade A standard at a strategic location. The warehouse is open to all new business offering customers an all-in-one service, increased efficiency, full visibility and total control. Above all, we have a truly professional team of supply chain experts ready to support our clients in all their Contract Logistics requirements.”

GEODIS invests in Icheon multi-user facility

Posted on 16 April, 2021 by David Priestman

GEODIS has opened a new multi-user logistics facility in Icheon, South Korea.

Located just 25km from central Seoul and a 90-minute drive from both Incheon International Airport and Port of Incheon, the new multi-user warehousing facility is strategically located in Icheon.

Enhanced deep-water berth at Felixstowe

Posted on 16 April, 2021 by Keith McKinley

Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe has further enhanced its deep-water berth capacity following the successful completion of strengthening and dredging works to Berth 7 on Trinity Terminal.

Berth 7 – one of the Port of Felixstowe’s nine container berths – has been dredged from 15.0m to 16.5m below Chart Datum and the berth box widened from 55m to 70m.

Chris Lewis, Chief Executive Officer, Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe, said: “The Port of Felixstowe is ever-progressive and continuously invests in its infrastructure, equipment and people, with the view to enhancing its customer offering. As the number of ultra-large container ships continues to grow we will continue to improve and upgrade our facilities to meet the needs of our customers.

“Berths 8 and 9 are designed for a maximum depth of 18m, and the next phase of development will see further increases to the depths at Berths 6, 8 and 9. The deeper berths are being complemented by dredging planned by Harwich Haven Authority to increase the depth of the approach channel to up to 16m, further reinforcing Felixstowe’s position as the country’s number one deep-sea container port.”

The berth upgrade, together with a programme to extend the outreach of 10 ZPMC quay cranes to 23 boxes wide on Berths 6 and 7, are in direct response to the increasing size and depth of the world’s largest container vessels, keeping Felixstowe at the forefront of the UK logistics and supply chain.

The 19,630 TEU Manila Maersk, operated on the 2M AE6/NEU3 service to Asia, was the first vessel to use the deeper berth. With a departure draft of 15.6m, the vessel was the deepest-ever to be berthed on Trinity Terminal.

Boskalis Westminster Limited was the appointed dredging contractor for the project and used a combination of backhoe dredger, the ‘Nordic Giant’ with a bucket size of 13 cu m, and trailing suction hopper dredgers to undertake the works.

The 19,630 TEU Manila Maersk was the first vessel to use the Port of Felixstowe’s deeper Berth 7.

Enhanced deep-water berth at Felixstowe

Posted on 16 April, 2021 by David Priestman

Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe has further enhanced its deep-water berth capacity following the successful completion of strengthening and dredging works to Berth 7 on Trinity Terminal.

Berth 7 – one of the Port of Felixstowe’s nine container berths – has been dredged from 15.0m to 16.5m below Chart Datum and the berth box widened from 55m to 70m.

The 19,630 TEU Manila Maersk was the first vessel to use the Port of Felixstowe’s deeper Berth 7.

Young Forwarder Network reaches half century

Posted on 16 April, 202131 July, 2025 by David Priestman

Just two years after it was launched in March 2019, the British International Freight Association’s Young Forwarder Network (YFN) has passed the milestone of 50 events, which is made all the more impressive considering the massive disruption caused to the sector from COVID-19 and the UK’s exit from the EU.

In its first year, 741 individuals had attended 28 events organised by the YFN, which included regional launch events, airport and port tours, as well as talks by industry professionals.

In March 2020, COVID-19 led to the first national lockdown, which caused a temporary hiatus in planning, but events recommenced online in May 2020 with a virtual bake-off.

In the past 12 months, 1,222 participants have attended 23 online events with the 50th event, a virtual port tour of DP World London Gateway attracting a record 108 participants.

The Young Forwarder Network was launched in March 2019 to create several regional networking groups, run by young forwarders and designed to help early talent and young BIFA members develop their knowledge and professional skills, but in a more social environment.

Carl Hobbis, BIFA Executive Director, who has management responsibility for BIFA’s training and development services, says: “When the YFN was launched, we said we thought it would prove to be a major step forward for the industry in developing its future freight forwarding ambassadors and leaders.

“The young people who are participating in the events are improving their knowledge of the sector, trends within it, as well as building their skill sets and learning from others.”

BIFA’s Young Forwarder Network (YFN) is committed to providing opportunities for those new to the industry to develop their knowledge and professional skills. Membership is free and open to any employee of a BIFA Member company.

Robert Keen, Director General of BIFA adds: “50 events in two years is a remarkable achievement and a clear sign of the attraction of the YFN to the younger generation within the freight sector.

“The YFN is really helping improve the promotion of the sector, making it more attractive to younger people and providing forums from which to learn.

“We now need more BIFA members to take heed of this opportunity by encouraging attendance at YFN events; and making greater efforts to promote the freight forwarding and logistics sector in their locality.”

Hobbis concludes: “As we aim for a century of events, hopefully, we will be able to hold some in a face-to-face, more social environment, just like in the first 12 months of the YFN.”

Young Forwarder Network reaches half century

Posted on 16 April, 2021 by David Priestman

In its first year, 741 individuals had attended 28 events organised by the YFN, which included regional launch events, airport and port tours, as well as talks by industry professionals.

In March 2020, COVID-19 led to the first national lockdown, which caused a temporary hiatus in planning, but events recommenced online in May 2020 with a virtual bake-off.

In the past 12 months, 1,222 participants have attended 23 online events with the 50th event, a virtual port tour of DP World London Gateway attracting a record 108 participants.

“The young people who are participating in the events are improving their knowledge of the sector, trends within it, as well as building their skill sets and learning from others.”

Robert Keen, Director General of BIFA adds: “50 events in two years is a remarkable achievement and a clear sign of the attraction of the YFN to the younger generation within the freight sector.

“The YFN is really helping improve the promotion of the sector, making it more attractive to younger people and providing forums from which to learn.

Hobbis concludes: “As we aim for a century of events, hopefully, we will be able to hold some in a face-to-face, more social environment, just like in the first 12 months of the YFN.”

Many couriers and delivery drivers feel unsafe

Posted on 16 April, 202129 July, 2025 by David Priestman

One in five (20%) home delivery professionals have been attacked or threatened by members of the public, while over a third (35%) feel at risk while they are out working alone, especially at night or when in isolated locations. These are the key findings of a survey conducted by lone worker protection specialist Peoplesafe that was completed by over 500 UK couriers and delivery drivers.

“These are hugely alarming statistics that highlight the dangers faced by home delivery operatives every day,” explains Naz Dossa, CEO of Peoplesafe. “These essential workers, who play such an important role within the UK’s supply chain – particularly throughout the pandemic and national lockdowns – deserve peace of mind that they are safe from any threat when they are working, but should the worst happen, someone is on hand to come to their aid.”

More than 20% of respondents are taking conscious steps to protect themselves while they are out on their delivery routes. Although most are relying on common sense to stay safe – locking doors, being aware of surroundings, varying routines and keeping in touch with people – others are using some form of safety equipment, such as mobile, alarm or camera devices.

“There is significant anecdotal evidence that suggests that couriers and delivery drivers have faced growing threats during the COVID pandemic, with well documented examples of hijackings, attempted thefts and road rage incidents. With this added risk they are feeling increasingly vulnerable when they are out making deliveries, so it is important that they have access to appropriate personal safety and smart PPE solutions,” concludes Dossa.

Peoplesafe is the market-leading lone worker service, trusted by over 2,500 organisations in the UK to protect their at-risk employees. The company’s solution provides drivers with peace of mind that support is on-hand if they are attacked, threatened or injured, whether they are inside or outside of the vehicle. On average, raised alerts are answered by a controller at Its 24/7 Alarm Receiving Centre in under six seconds.

Many couriers and delivery drivers feel unsafe

Posted on 16 April, 202129 July, 2025 by David Priestman

DPD and ASOS launch clothing donations initiative

Posted on 16 April, 2021 by Keith McKinley

DPD, which says it is the UK’s most sustainable delivery company, and ASOS, one of the world’s leading online fashion retailers, has announced a new circular economy initiative that will see DPD collect pre-loved clothing donations from ASOS customers’ doorsteps and deliver them to one of five leading UK charities, free of charge.

DPD’s ReLove service launched on 15th April 2021 to coincide with charity shops reopening in England and Wales. From that date, ASOS customers expecting a DPD delivery are able to use the YourDPD app to select the option to donate pre-loved clothing to one of five charities: Scope, Marie Curie, British Heart Foundation, British Red Cross or The Children’s Society.

DPD will then collect the pre-loved consignment at the same time as making the ASOS delivery. Customers will be encouraged to re-use DPD or ASOS packaging and can either hand the package to their DPD driver or leave it for collection in their ‘safe place’.

The driver will check the packaging and take it back to the depot, where DPD will label it and deliver it to the selected charity, who can then sell it to raise money for their cause.

Donating garments to charity is currently one of the more responsible ways that consumers can dispose of pre-loved clothing in the UK, as charities sort through products to resell those that are ready for a second home and recycle any that aren’t fit for resale.

With no infrastructure or systems in place in the UK for households to recycle textiles themselves, an estimated 350,000 tonnes of clothing is sent to landfill each year in the UK, potentially worth around £140m. The ReLove initiative will support both customers and charities in diverting clothing from landfill in a simple and convenient way.

Olly Craughan, DPD’s Head of CSR, commented: “DPD leads the way on sustainability in the delivery space and I’m incredibly proud of the team for getting behind initiatives like this. We are continuing to invest in the decarbonisation of our fleet, but the challenge is about much more than just buying electric vehicles. We want to go a lot further. It is about pushing ourselves to look at every aspect of our operation to find the green alternative and the smarter way of doing things.

“ReLove is another way for us to help cut carbon emissions, reduce waste and raise money for charities at the same time. It is also great to team up with ASOS on another really smart solution for their customers. We’re already delivering to these addresses, so it means one less trip and less miles travelled overall. The DPD app now has over 9 million users, and it has become a really powerful tool for us. It plays a key role in helping us deliver a fantastic service for customers and it is driving innovation like this.”

Patrik Silén, Chief Strategy Officer at ASOS, said: “Our focus has always been on providing our customers with an outstanding retail experience, and a key element of that is giving them opportunities to shop with us more responsibly. We know that our customers are very active in donating their pre-loved clothing and that they see it as a great way of keeping products in use and out of landfill, so partnering with DPD on the ReLove initiative is a natural fit for us. We’re proud to be joining forces with the team to drive sustainable solutions and look forward to seeing our customers’ response over the coming weeks.”

DPD and ASOS launch clothing donations initiative

Posted on 16 April, 2021 by David Priestman

The driver will check the packaging and take it back to the depot, where DPD will label it and deliver it to the selected charity, who can then sell it to raise money for their cause.

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