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Day: 14 October 2024

Asda Invests in new Bio-LNG Refuelling Stations

Posted on by David Priestman

Asda is investing in two new Bio-LNG (liquefied natural gas) refuelling facilities, as the retailer continues to make progress towards reducing overall carbon emissions.

Working closely with Gasrec – a major fuel provider for commercial vehicles in the UK – the new refuelling facilities in Warrington and Dartford now mean Asda has thirteen fully operational Bio-LNG stations strategically located across the UK.

With over 780 vehicles, Asda operates the largest fleet of LNG fuelled trucks in the UK, with this type of fuel a leading, lower carbon alternative to diesel. Through the new infrastructure, Asda will continue its efforts to decarbonise its operations, aiming to achieve net zero operations by 2040.

Earlier this year, Asda revealed in its annual ESG report it had reduced operational carbon emissions (scope 1 & 2) in 2023 by 41% since 2015, with a target to achieve a 50% reduction by 2025.

John Rogerson, Central Fleet Operations Manager at Asda, said: “LNG trucks are currently the leading alternative fuel option for operators like ourselves and with over 780 LNG vehicles, we operate the largest fleet of LNG fuelled trucks in the UK. Our continued investment in a UK-wide LNG distribution network forms an essential part of our objective to reduce overall carbon emissions across our operations, and towards building a sustainable business for the future.”

James Westcott, Chief Commercial Officer of Gasrec, says: “We have forged a strong relationship with Asda and it’s a real pleasure to be able to deliver these two latest facilities for them, as they continue to expand their growing gas fleet and invest in a cleaner and greener fuel source.

“As one of the UK’s largest retailers, Asda understands the urgency in the need to cut emissions from its fleet as we all work towards a more sustainable transport sector. Bio-LNG remains a leading alternative to diesel for long-haul operations and will continue to be so for the foreseeable future.”

This investment comes after Asda recently launched a new sustainability-linked enhancement to its Supply Chain Finance scheme in partnership with HSBC UK. Launching in January 2025, the facility will see the retailer use financial incentives to encourage better sustainability practices within its supply chain.

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New Logistics Concept Delivers Faster, Reduces Emissions

Posted on by David Priestman

With the help of Movianto, a service provider specialising in pharmaceutical and healthcare logistics the American medical device company Cook Medical implemented a new logistics and distribution concept in the UK. “This has enabled us to shorten delivery times for our customers and reduce our carbon footprint at the same time,” says Eamonn Barry, Director of Customer Support and Distribution, EMEA at Cook Medical.

Cook Medical had previously served the UK market directly from Germany, where the company operates its own European distribution centre in Baesweiler near Aachen. From there, orders of British customers were flown to the UK and then delivered nationwide. “Cook Medical is now using our warehouse in Bedford as a national logistics centre and from here can deliver significantly more orders during the next day than before,” says David Evans, Managing Director of Movianto UK. “To this end, we ensure a continued supply of devices for customers, which Cook Medical can call off for delivery the next working day.”

Movianto packs the customer’s orders in special cardboard boxes with Cook branding. In order to minimise the volume during transport and to reduce waste, a number of 17 packaging sizes are kept in stock.

The products are stored at controlled room temperature in Movianto’s multi-user warehouse in Bedford. If stocks need to be replenished, this is done by road. Before, the goods had been flown from Baesweiler into the UK. “Because now there are stocks in two warehouses, namely in Bedford and in Baesweiler, the ability to deliver has increased,” says Evans. “If one warehouse was unable to deliver, the other would step in.”

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DP World to Expand London Gateway Port

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Global logistics giant DP World has today announced a £1bn expansion of London Gateway to make it Britain’s largest container port within five years in a boost to the volume and resilience of international trade.

DP World will increase capacity of London Gateway’s port by building two new shipping berths, taking the total to six berths able to receive the world’s largest container ships. The site will also see a second rail terminal added to handle the expected increase in containerised trade.

By the end of the decade, the full quayside stretching more than 2.5km in length will be able to simultaneously receive six vessels, each more than 400 metres long, and boast Europe’s tallest quay cranes at the height of the Big Ben.

The expansion will create a further 400 permanent new jobs, in addition to the 1,200 currently employed at the site, and is the culmination of a rapid growth plan for the Thames Estuary hub which opened in 2013 and has been a catalyst for economic regeneration in south Essex.

The expansion will take the total invested by DP World at London Gateway to more than £3bn, converting the site of a former oil refinery into one of the UK’s largest and most important logistics hubs. The site has most recently seen the addition of a £350m fourth berth, the first to be powered entirely by electricity, and which will soon accept its first ship.

DP World has established Europe’s largest logistics park, employing 1,500 workers, as a counterweight to the Midlands-based ‘golden triangle’ of UK logistics. Tenants at the park benefit from storage, warehousing and distribution services linked to excellent rail freight and motorway connections, and quick access to the important consumer market of London and the South East. Fast-track planning consent enables businesses to erect new facilities in response to demand.

Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Group Chairman & Chief Executive Officer at DP World said: “DP World London Gateway will help make Britain’s trade flow in the future by connecting domestic exporters with global markets and delivering vital supply chain resilience for the whole economy. I am proud of this major investment which underlines DP World’s long-term commitment to the UK.”

Ernst Schulze, Chief Executive Officer for Ports & Terminals at DP World UK, said: “As this commitment demonstrates, London Gateway’s location and transport infrastructure are ideally placed for expansion. With extra capacity comes the reliability and supply chain resilience so important to our customers and consumers, especially in uncertain times such as the pandemic and disruption due to geopolitical events.”

Subject to planning approval and regulatory requirements, the expansion is expected to significantly increase the volume of trade at the port which currently handles approximately nearly 2 million TEU annually.

DP World plays an increasing role in the UK economy, employing 5,500 workers across a wide portfolio of logistics services. As well as owning London Gateway and operating Southampton’s container terminal, it is also a major logistics provider, offering customers bespoke services in warehousing, transport and port-centric logistics across a wide variety of sectors, such as automotive and perishables. Three quarters of imported containerised perishable goods are handled at London Gateway and its sister port in Southampton.

In addition to its hubs at Southampton and London Gateway, DP World’s offer includes logistics, forwarding and European transport capabilities, all of which are being integrated into the company’s global network.

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