UK federation presses ministers on energy

The Cold Chain Federation has written to the UK Chancellor and newly appointed Cabinet Ministers in the Department for Business, Environment and Transport calling for urgent reassurances that the food, pharmaceutical and other cold chains will be treated as critical industries through this winter and beyond.

The Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme provides support to eligible organisations until 31st March 2023. The Cold Chain Federation is making its call to Ministers as Government reviews the provision of support beyond that date.

Cold Chain Federation Chief Executive Shane Brennan said: “With more and more cold chain businesses no longer being able to rely on forward-bought or hedged electricity, and massive increase in prices forecast well into 2023 and beyond, there are serious questions about the viability of some cold chain operations. We are urging Ministers to provide reassurance that whatever government support is in place beyond March next year, the critical businesses in food and pharmaceutical supply chains will remain supported.”

In its letters to the Chancellor and the new Cabinet Ministers the Cold Chain Federation has made a strong case for continuation of energy bill support to cold chain operations, citing the potential for unavoidable disruption to food and pharmaceutical supply chains and a significant risk of further food inflation for products like meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. Crucially, unlike other sectors cold stores use significantly more energy in the summer rather than the winter to keep products cool, so the continuation of support beyond March 2023 will be vital.

The Cold Chain Energy Crisis Action Plan that the Cold Chain Federation published in September 2022 set out a range of actions that Government can take in the short, medium and long term to help cold chain businesses manage through the energy crisis.

UK federation presses ministers on energy

The Cold Chain Federation has written to the UK Chancellor and newly appointed Cabinet Ministers in the Department for Business, Environment and Transport calling for urgent reassurances that the food, pharmaceutical and other cold chains will be treated as critical industries through this winter and beyond.

The Government’s Energy Bill Relief Scheme provides support to eligible organisations until 31st March 2023. The Cold Chain Federation is making its call to Ministers as Government reviews the provision of support beyond that date.

Cold Chain Federation Chief Executive Shane Brennan said: “With more and more cold chain businesses no longer being able to rely on forward-bought or hedged electricity, and massive increase in prices forecast well into 2023 and beyond, there are serious questions about the viability of some cold chain operations. We are urging Ministers to provide reassurance that whatever government support is in place beyond March next year, the critical businesses in food and pharmaceutical supply chains will remain supported.”

In its letters to the Chancellor and the new Cabinet Ministers the Cold Chain Federation has made a strong case for continuation of energy bill support to cold chain operations, citing the potential for unavoidable disruption to food and pharmaceutical supply chains and a significant risk of further food inflation for products like meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables. Crucially, unlike other sectors cold stores use significantly more energy in the summer rather than the winter to keep products cool, so the continuation of support beyond March 2023 will be vital.

The Cold Chain Energy Crisis Action Plan that the Cold Chain Federation published in September 2022 set out a range of actions that Government can take in the short, medium and long term to help cold chain businesses manage through the energy crisis.

Handheld launches new ultra-rugged tablet

Handheld Group, the manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, has announced the release of the all-new Algiz 10XR, an ultra-rugged 10-inch Windows tablet that it says combines durability with robust field performance, 5G and future-proof features.

It describes the Algiz 10XR as a smaller, lighter, 10-inch Windows tablet that achieves more even while taking up less space. It brings two times better graphics and measurably faster performance. Future-proof 5G communication can handle live video streams and bandwidth-heavy tasks like mapping. The Algiz 10XR was developed for field work or other challenging environments within logistics, mining, public transport, public safety, waste management or GIS and has also been designed with modulisation and customisation in mind.

Other key features of the Algiz 10XR ultra-rugged tablet:

  • Intel Elkhart Lake x6000 platform for reliable performance
  • Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC (64bit)
  • High-resolution, sunlight-readable 10-inch touchscreen with super-hardened glass and rain-and-glove mode
  • Future-proof 5G capabilities, 4G/LTE high-speed data, Wi-Fi, BT
  • Dedicated multiband GNSS u-blox NEO-M8U receiver for accurate positioning.
  • Untethered dead reckoning (UDR) to provide accurate positioning performance under even weak GNSS conditions.
  • IP65 and MIL-STD ruggedness
  • Full-day, hot-swappable battery
  • Optional, integrated barcode scanner and NFC
  • A broad ecosystem of accessories for field professionals; carry cases, vehicle cradles, pole mounts, extended batteries, as well as a vehicle dock with antenna pass-through for both GPS and Wi-Fi
  • Possibility for customised extensions via backpack

“The Algiz 10XR will bring some great performance gains for our partners and customers who rely on Windows tablets in the field,” says Johan Hed, Handheld chief product officer. “We’ve worked with this segment for decades now and are confident that we’ve developed a device with not only great specs, but a complete accessory package to help our customers with their fieldwork.”

Handheld launches new ultra-rugged tablet

Handheld Group, the manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, has announced the release of the all-new Algiz 10XR, an ultra-rugged 10-inch Windows tablet that it says combines durability with robust field performance, 5G and future-proof features.

It describes the Algiz 10XR as a smaller, lighter, 10-inch Windows tablet that achieves more even while taking up less space. It brings two times better graphics and measurably faster performance. Future-proof 5G communication can handle live video streams and bandwidth-heavy tasks like mapping. The Algiz 10XR was developed for field work or other challenging environments within logistics, mining, public transport, public safety, waste management or GIS and has also been designed with modulisation and customisation in mind.

Other key features of the Algiz 10XR ultra-rugged tablet:

  • Intel Elkhart Lake x6000 platform for reliable performance
  • Windows 10 Enterprise LTSC (64bit)
  • High-resolution, sunlight-readable 10-inch touchscreen with super-hardened glass and rain-and-glove mode
  • Future-proof 5G capabilities, 4G/LTE high-speed data, Wi-Fi, BT
  • Dedicated multiband GNSS u-blox NEO-M8U receiver for accurate positioning.
  • Untethered dead reckoning (UDR) to provide accurate positioning performance under even weak GNSS conditions.
  • IP65 and MIL-STD ruggedness
  • Full-day, hot-swappable battery
  • Optional, integrated barcode scanner and NFC
  • A broad ecosystem of accessories for field professionals; carry cases, vehicle cradles, pole mounts, extended batteries, as well as a vehicle dock with antenna pass-through for both GPS and Wi-Fi
  • Possibility for customised extensions via backpack

“The Algiz 10XR will bring some great performance gains for our partners and customers who rely on Windows tablets in the field,” says Johan Hed, Handheld chief product officer. “We’ve worked with this segment for decades now and are confident that we’ve developed a device with not only great specs, but a complete accessory package to help our customers with their fieldwork.”

AFKLMP Cargo introduces more sustainable transport

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) and Jan de Rijk Logistics have joined forces to take a new Long Heavy Vehicle (LHV) into operation. This completely new truck combination will run on BioFuel – Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil 100 (HVO100).

The big advantage of using an LHV is the huge volume of cargo it can carry. An LHV can carry six unit load devices (ULDs) at a time, whereas a normal cargo carrying vehicle can only take four. This means that using an LHV for two trips saves an entire truck trip, therefore substantially reducing CO₂ emissions as well.

The new LHV will be used exclusively on the route between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Frankfurt am Main. This strategic choice stems from the high cargo volumes carried on this route. Within AFKLMP Cargo’s extensive network, Frankfurt, like its Dutch home base Schiphol, is one of AFKLMP Cargo’s larger cargo hubs.

Adriaan den Heijer, EVP Air France KLM Cargo & Managing Director Martinair, said: “To achieve greater sustainability, we in the logistics sector are especially aiming to forge alliances to promote innovative and effective solutions. I’m therefore extremely proud of our partnership with Jan de Rijk Logistics in creating this sustainable combination of an LHV powered by HVO, specially developed for air cargo. This initiative contributes towards our goal of reducing CO₂ emissions further.”

Fred Westdijk, CEO Jan de Rijk Logistics, added: “We’re extremely proud of AFKLMP Cargo for being the first airline to join us to invest in further reducing CO₂ emissions. Jan de Rijk Logistics has actively promoted the use of Long Heavy Vehicles (LHVs) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in recent years and is pleased to welcome AFKLMP Cargo as a ‘first mover’. Now that the first airline has joined us, we hope that others will follow soon to reduce the impact on our climate.”

Jan de Rijk Logistics and AFKLMP Cargo have already carried out several projects together in their long history. AFKLMP Cargo and Jan de Rijk Logistics both invested in developing the LHV specifically for air cargo. Both parties have prioritised making the logistics chain more sustainable. Taking the LHV into operation therefore marks a significant milestone.

The structural deployment of an LHV means fewer trips and therefore reduced CO₂ emissions. What’s more, the LHV will be powered by a different fuel. This new fuel, HVO (also known as “blue diesel”), can reduce CO₂ emissions by as much as 89%. At present, the combination of an LHV powered by HVO is unique in transporting (air) cargo by road and, in the short term, it represents the best viable solution for more sustainable transport.

AFKLMP Cargo and Jan de Rijk will continue to take initiatives directed at achieving further sustainability throughout the logistics chain. Examples here include the development of electric truck combinations and the use of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel.

 

AFKLMP Cargo introduces more sustainable transport

Air France KLM Martinair Cargo (AFKLMP Cargo) and Jan de Rijk Logistics have joined forces to take a new Long Heavy Vehicle (LHV) into operation. This completely new truck combination will run on BioFuel – Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil 100 (HVO100).

The big advantage of using an LHV is the huge volume of cargo it can carry. An LHV can carry six unit load devices (ULDs) at a time, whereas a normal cargo carrying vehicle can only take four. This means that using an LHV for two trips saves an entire truck trip, therefore substantially reducing CO₂ emissions as well.

The new LHV will be used exclusively on the route between Amsterdam Airport Schiphol and Frankfurt am Main. This strategic choice stems from the high cargo volumes carried on this route. Within AFKLMP Cargo’s extensive network, Frankfurt, like its Dutch home base Schiphol, is one of AFKLMP Cargo’s larger cargo hubs.

Adriaan den Heijer, EVP Air France KLM Cargo & Managing Director Martinair, said: “To achieve greater sustainability, we in the logistics sector are especially aiming to forge alliances to promote innovative and effective solutions. I’m therefore extremely proud of our partnership with Jan de Rijk Logistics in creating this sustainable combination of an LHV powered by HVO, specially developed for air cargo. This initiative contributes towards our goal of reducing CO₂ emissions further.”

Fred Westdijk, CEO Jan de Rijk Logistics, added: “We’re extremely proud of AFKLMP Cargo for being the first airline to join us to invest in further reducing CO₂ emissions. Jan de Rijk Logistics has actively promoted the use of Long Heavy Vehicles (LHVs) and Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) in recent years and is pleased to welcome AFKLMP Cargo as a ‘first mover’. Now that the first airline has joined us, we hope that others will follow soon to reduce the impact on our climate.”

Jan de Rijk Logistics and AFKLMP Cargo have already carried out several projects together in their long history. AFKLMP Cargo and Jan de Rijk Logistics both invested in developing the LHV specifically for air cargo. Both parties have prioritised making the logistics chain more sustainable. Taking the LHV into operation therefore marks a significant milestone.

The structural deployment of an LHV means fewer trips and therefore reduced CO₂ emissions. What’s more, the LHV will be powered by a different fuel. This new fuel, HVO (also known as “blue diesel”), can reduce CO₂ emissions by as much as 89%. At present, the combination of an LHV powered by HVO is unique in transporting (air) cargo by road and, in the short term, it represents the best viable solution for more sustainable transport.

AFKLMP Cargo and Jan de Rijk will continue to take initiatives directed at achieving further sustainability throughout the logistics chain. Examples here include the development of electric truck combinations and the use of hydrogen as a sustainable fuel.

 

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