Show-Stopping Trailers Unveiled by Transport Company

Two specially modified and uniquely liveried Schmitz Cargobull S.KO COOL box-body semi-trailers have been unveiled to join family-owned business C&M Transport’s fast-growing fleet in Wrexham. C&M Transport, a temperature-controlled specialist, places huge value in the presentation of its vehicles and uniformed drivers. On that basis, it decided to put Schmitz Cargobull’s ability to customise trailers to the test to give its latest purchases added character.

The result was two S.KO COOL trailers featuring a wealth of after-market additions via Truck Center Vreden, a Schmitz Cargobull Service Partner.

Jonno Williams, Operations Manager at C&M Transport, says: “Having something that stands out from the crowd is important to us. So, when we learnt that Schmitz Cargobull offers a customisation service, we knew we had to try it. The trailers were delivered quickly and look great, so we’re really pleased we did.”

The mono-temp reefers, which are equipped with Carrier Transicold refrigeration units, feature extra strip lights along the rear, side and top of the trailers, as well as upgraded rear-light clusters, stainless steel wheel arches, illuminated stainless steel fuel guards, and Alcoa Dura-Bright alloys to add a smart, personal touch.

The trailers also feature bespoke wraps after the business ran a competition inviting local schools to supply designs showcasing Wrexham to demonstrate that there’s more to the city than a football club owned by two Hollywood film stars.

The winning designs by Holly Jones, from Ysgol Bryn Alyn; and Juliette Devereux, from Ysgol Morgan Llwyd, were transformed into full-length wraps by ASAP Signs on the first trailer. They highlight the UNESCO-recognised Pontcysyllte Aqueduct and the Gresford Colliery memorial, respectively. The work of local artist Mikey Jones, showing the Wrexham skyline, features on the second trailer.

Underneath the unique designs, Schmitz Cargobull’s proven FERROPLAST technology combines the increased insulation of a polyurethane hard foam with a durable and resistant covering of multiple layers of coated metal. The result is a self-supporting product without any thermal bridges that may affect cooling performance. If any damage does occur, the panels can be easily repaired rather than the trailer side requiring whole body repair.

Each trailer will be covering 2,000 plus miles a week over the breadth of the UK and Continental Europe, something their strong galvanised MODULUS bolted chassis are ideally suited to handle. Each chassis comes with a 10-year warranty against rust-through on all galvanised parts, too.

“I can’t fault the build quality, it’s excellent. The interior width of the trailers has also been a big hit with our drivers. Most of what we move is palletised but some goods – such as ice cream and fresh cut flowers on Danish flower dollies – extend beyond the pallets. That’s normally a headache but it’s no longer a problem with these new reefers,” adds Williams.

The deal was facilitated by Geoff Ward, Regional Manager for the North West, Wales and the West Midlands at Schmitz Cargobull UK & Ireland.

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Cathay Cargo Pioneers Autonomous Electric Tractor

Cathay Cargo Terminal has completed the first end-to-end trial of Autonomous Electric Tractor (AET) operations for direct towing from the inside of the terminal to the West Cargo Apron (WCA) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA).

The trial involved a fully autonomous electric tow-tractor pulling four cargo dollies into the Cathay Cargo Terminal and driving itself to the correct cargo transfer gate for loading. After loading, the AET drove itself out of the terminal and successfully completed its journey across HKIA to the furthest cargo apron, the WCA, delivering the cargo ready to be loaded directly onto a Cathay Cargo flight.

A unique feature of this initiative is the precise docking solution, enabling the AET’s towing dolly chains to automatically align with the transfer deck for seamless Unit Load Device (ULD) loading. Enhanced security features also allow the AET to be digitally checked into and out of the terminal without compromising security.

The project is a collaborative effort between Cathay Cargo Terminal, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and UISEE, one of China’s leading autonomous driving companies. This breakthrough not only streamlines cargo movement, but also strengthens operational safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

Cathay Cargo Terminal pioneers Autonomous Electric Tractor

Cathay Cargo Terminal Chief Operating Officer Mark Watts said: “This has been an important proof-of-concept to show that AETs are capable of more advanced workflows than we have seen so far for cargo, reducing manual processes and significantly enhancing operational efficiency. This also improves overall cargo flow at the world’s busiest cargo hub and significantly reduces carbon emissions associated with traditional ground service equipment.”

The project is a collaborative effort between Cathay Cargo Terminal, the Airport Authority Hong Kong, and UISEE. The AET drives itself out of the cargo terminal and makes its way to the apron to deliver cargo ready to be loaded directly onto a Cathay Cargo flight. In addition to ongoing trials with AETs, Cathay Cargo Terminal is also piloting the use of Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) for its non-electric cargo tractors. HVO is a renewable alternative to fossil-based diesel, with the ability to reduce the lifecycle carbon emissions approximately 80-90%, according to industry data.

Cathay’s Mark Watts added: “HVO is a very important step, but continued electrification is the ultimate vision to help us reduce carbon emissions and pursue Cathay’s digital and sustainability leadership.”

Airport Authority Hong Kong Acting Deputy Director, Airport Operations Wing Yeung said: “This new milestone reinforces HKIA’s leadership in smart logistics and sustainable aviation development, paving the way for further advancements in autonomous vehicle solutions in cargo-handling. The successful deployment of AETs in end-to-end cargo operations reflects the HKIA community’s continuous efforts in the adoption of smart airport initiatives and to reinforce the airport’s position as a global aviation hub.”

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CMA CGM Group to acquire 35% stake in Dry Port

Following French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Egypt, and in the presence of H.E. Kamel El Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, the CMA CGM Group, a global player in maritime, land, air, and logistics solutions, officially signed a strategic partnership agreement with October Dry Port (ODP), marking a significant milestone in advancing Egypt’s logistics infrastructure and supply chain capabilities.

Through a shareholding participation of 35% and a management agreement, the CMA CGM Group will become an active operational partner in the activities and development of the logistics and rail platform  of October Dry Port. The Group will bring its expertise in managing inland terminals while providing reliable and cost-efficient services to all customers. The completion of the acquisition is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

The agreement was signed by Christine Cabau Woehrel, Executive Vice-President Assets and Operations of the CMA CGM Group, and Eng. Ahmed Elsewedy, President & CEO of Elsewedy Electric, during a ceremony attended by His Excellency Egypt’s Minister of Transport, Kamel El-Wazir as well as senior officials from both entities. This collaboration establishes a direct partnership between CMA CGM and ODP to enhance port operations, optimize cargo movement, and provide seamless logistics services to customers in Egypt’s expanding industrial zones.

October Dry Port, Egypt’s first dry port and the first public-private partnership (PPP) project in the Egyptian transport sector under the EBRD Green Cities program, was developed, built, and operated by Elsewedy Electric in partnership with the General Authority for Land and Dry Ports (GALDP). The project was funded by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and officially commenced operations in November 2023. Recognized for its commitment to sustainability, the dry port was awarded the “Best Sustainable Infrastructure Project” for its environmentally conscious design, energy-efficient operations, and alignment with Egypt’s green transformation strategy.

Strategically located in the heart of the New Industrial Area in 6th of October City, ODP is directly connected to all of Egypt’s seaports and serves as a critical logistics hub, facilitating faster cargo clearance, reducing seaport congestion, and supporting Egypt’s growing industrial and export ecosystem.

Through this partnership, CMA CGM will leverage ODP’s state-of-the-art facilities to serve its expanding customer base across Greater Cairo and Upper Egypt, providing integrated inland transport, customs clearance, and advanced logistics services. Already operating the Tahya Misr container terminal at the Port of Alexandria and the new terminal of Sokhna which will open early next year, the CMA CGM Group further strengthens its strategic positioning in Egypt, the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, especially through innovative and sustainable intermodal solutions. The CMA CGM Group will offer regular round trip rail services between the major seaports of Alexandria and Ain Sokhna to the Great Cairo area, boosting the competitivity of intermodal solution for Egyptian customers.

During the signing ceremony, H.E. Kamel El Wazir, Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport affirmed that Egypt is open to cooperation with all international companies, including CMA CGM, which has a distinguished strategic partnership with the Egyptian side through its management and operation of the “Tahya Misr” multipurpose terminal at Alexandria Port. This terminal was inaugurated by H.E. President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi in June 2023 and currently plays a vital role in maritime transport, global trade, and transit trade. The Minister also noted the cooperation in one of the terminals at Sokhna Port through CMA CGM’s partnership with a global alliance, inviting CMA CGM to inject further investments into Egypt, especially given the country’s promising investment climate.

Christine Cabau Woehrel stated: “The CMA CGM Group values a lot this new partnership with Elsewedy on the October Dry Port logistics platform. This is a unique opportunity to foster the development of low-emission intermodal solutions in Egypt through efficient rail connections. This new investment confirms the Group’s long-term commitment to Egyptian supply chain growth. It combines beautifully our worldwide maritime network to and from Egypt, our investment in the terminals of Alexandria and Sokhna, with the capacity to offer door to door efficient and competitive solutions to our Egyptian customers, opening a new more sophisticated vision of Egyptian supply chain development.”

Ahmed Elsewedy added: “Welcoming CMA CGM as a partner is a major step forward in positioning ODP as a national and regional logistics hub. Our shared vision for sustainability and efficiency makes this collaboration even more impactful.”

This agreement reinforces Egypt’s position as a regional logistics gateway and supports the country’s broader goals of promoting industrial growth, sustainable development, and global trade connectivity.

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Future Logisticians Gain Hands-On Experience

Meachers Global Logistics welcomed MSc students from the University of Southampton to its Nursling facility, offering them a behind-the-scenes look at real-world logistics operations. The visit, part of the Logistics Systems Operations Module, provided students with a first-hand understanding of how a leading logistics provider manages complex supply chain processes, providing a hands-on experience to future logisticians. 

Led by Professor Tom Cherrett, the visit brought together a group of 14 students studying Transportation Planning and Engineering, where they participated in an industry talk and toured Meachers’ state-of-the-art facilities to witness logistics in action. 

Gary Whittle, Operations Director at Meachers Global Logistics, kicked off the visit with an engaging talk about the company’s history, core services—including freight forwarding, UK transport and distribution, and warehousing—and the vital role of maintaining multiple supply chains. He also highlighted how logistics processes evolve to keep pace with global demands. 

Following the talk, students embarked on a guided tour of Meachers’ warehousing facilities, where they observed the intricate processes that ensure seamless supply chain operations. From advanced inventory management to distribution networks, the tour provided the future logisticians a valuable insight into the mechanics of modern logistics. 

Reflecting on the experience, Gary Whittle commented: “We were delighted to welcome the students and give them a practical glimpse into the logistics sector. Encouraging and educating the next generation of industry professionals is something we take great pride in.” 

Professor Tom Cherrett added: “This visit remains a crucial element of our curriculum. Theoretical learning in the classroom is essential, but seeing logistics in action reinforces those concepts and prepares students for real-world challenges.” 

Meachers Global Logistics remains committed to supporting industry education and looks forward to future collaborations with the University of Southampton. 

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