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Tag: multimodal

Intermodal Europe, Barcelona

Posted on by David Priestman

For 50 years, Intermodal Europe provides a platform for thousands of individuals from across the container market and beyond to meet, do business, and shape the future of maritime transport.

Intermodal Europe is Europe’s leading annual event for the container shipping, transport, and intermodal logistics industry. Across three days, suppliers and service providers come together to provide thousands of attendees with a diverse and dynamic marketplace in which to do business. Established brands sit alongside forward-thinking start-ups, together showcasing the very best technologies, innovations, products and services.

Throughout Intermodal Europe, an abundance of networking opportunities await. From bumping into familiar faces, to building relationships with new names, Intermodal Europe is a hotpot for forging strong connections that stand the test of time.

Beyond the hustle and bustle of the show floor, expertise awaits within the Intermodal Europe conference. Hotly anticipated year after year, its agenda is industry-led and covers the trends, topics, and talking points that matter the most. Dive in to engaging debates and enlightening conversations, designed to stimulate learning, action and collaboration.

As intermodal operations around the world face new pressures and challenges, Intermodal Europe is your opportunity to find the connections, solutions, and insights that you need to stay one step ahead.

Join the premier event for the container community. Explore cutting-edge innovations, network with industry leaders, and gain insights that could redefine your approach. Unlock the future of container transport and see how far it can take you. Register here.

The brand new Executive Visitor Pass is designed to help you maximise every minute at Intermodal Europe – with exclusive networking opportunities, premium access, and time-saving perks. Join a guided tour of the Port of Barcelona, attend the 50th anniversary party, and connect more easily with the people that matter.

The conference at Intermodal Europe is where the leaders of today and tomorrow come together to share practical insight into the future of container shipping.

Take your pick from big-picture keynotes, intense panel debates, book signings and deep-dive explorations. Details of the 2025 agenda and speaker list will be revealed soon.

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First Freight Train via UK East-West Rail

Posted on by David Priestman

Maritime Transport, one of the UK’s leading providers of integrated road and rail freight logistics, has launched a new rail freight service connecting DP World Southampton with its Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton (SLPN).

Maritime Intermodal Six arrived in Northampton on 16th June – the first freight train to enter service at Maritime’s 35-acre SRFI, and the first to operate the full length of the newly reinstated section of East West Rail (EWR) between Oxford and Bletchley.

Part of a government-backed programme to re-establish a strategic rail corridor between Oxford and Cambridge, the reinstated Oxford-Bletchley route restores vital east-west connectivity across central England and offers a practical alternative to traditionally congested north-south routes. The introduction of Maritime’s latest service on the newly reopened stretch is a milestone for the UK rail freight sector, unlocking new cross-country options for domestic and containerised cargo, and bringing nationally significant infrastructure into operational use to support regional economic growth.

Operated by DB Cargo UK, the service runs five days a week, with a capacity of up to 68 TEU per train, and provides a new, direct inland link to one of the UK’s busiest deep-sea ports. The service has been supported by Network Rail’s Track Access Discount Scheme, an important initiative to promote modal shift and encourage new rail freight business, whereby relevant access charges are waived for six months whilst new traffic is being established.

The launch follows two additional paths introduced by Maritime in recent weeks, linking DP World London Gateway with its rail terminals at Hams Hall and Doncaster (iPort). Two further services are scheduled to follow, connecting London Gateway and the Port of Felixstowe with Northampton as part of a three-phase expansion programme to increase low-carbon rail capacity across the company’s national network.

Maritime’s SRFI at Northampton forms part of a wider £200 million infrastructure investment by SEGRO and connects directly to the West Coast Main Line via the Northampton Loop. Network Rail’s modern design of the railway junction allows trains to move between the main line and interchange at speeds of up to 40mph instead of a standard 5mph – getting freight trains on their way faster and reducing impact on other trains on the network. Formally integrated into the national rail network earlier this year, the SRFI sits at the heart of a major logistics hub adjacent to Junction 15 of the M1.

John Bailey, Managing Director – Intermodal, Maritime Transport, said: “The arrival of our first service via EWR is an important step in expanding UK rail freight capacity, providing businesses with a direct, low-carbon route from Southampton to the heart of the UK’s golden logistics triangle. This development demonstrates how infrastructure and private-sector investment can deliver a more efficient and sustainable supply chain, while easing pressure on a congested road network.”

Roger Neary, Chief Sales Officer, DB Cargo UK, added: “Having recently operated the first locomotive into SEGRO Northampton Gateway to ‘prove’ the infrastructure, DB Cargo UK is proud to once again be partnering with its long-standing and strategic customer on this significant inaugural flow into Northampton Gateway. Not only does this new flow facilitate additional capacity into this important region of the country, it will do so in a sustainable manner utilising new Network Rail infrastructure and – crucially – funding, delivering benefits to Maritime Transport and their own customers alike.”

Brian Paynter, Capital Delivery track director, Network Rail, said: “Seeing both this new rail connection to Maritime’s SRFI and the East West Rail route in commercial freight use for the first time are huge moments in both projects. Opening up this economically important rail route will give much more flexibility for our freight operators greatly improving connectivity across the country, while benefiting the environment through taking HGVs off roads – providing a lasting legacy for communities and business.”

Kate Bedson, Senior Director, National Markets, SEGRO, commented: “We’re excited to see real momentum building at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, marked by the completion of the rail freight terminal infrastructure, the arrival of the first train and the completion of Yusen Logistics’ new facility – the first warehouse to be constructed on the park. Each freight train can remove up to 76 HGVs from the road with a consequential reduction in carbon emissions, making this a crucial step towards more sustainable logistics. With rail freight contributing £1.7 billion to the economy, this milestone is not only a shot in the arm for growth, it also supports a greener, more efficient supply chain.”

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New Intermodal Hub Launched in UK’s East Midlands

 

TMS with AI Feature Demonstrated at Multimodal

Posted on by David Priestman

Freight forwarders and logistics businesses will be able to see a game-changing transport management system in action at this year’s Multimodal expo in Birmingham. Logistics solutions provider, CocoonFMS, will be demonstrating its unique cloud-based platform during the three days of the June 17-19th event.

Called CocoonOPS, the innovative system helps freight forwarders streamline operations, cut costs, boost customer satisfaction and reduce their carboon footprint. Since being launched around 18 months ago, CocoonOPS has won industry accolades and attracted positive feedback from new customers who were frustrated with their previous outdated systems and counter-productive processes.

CocoonOPS is intuitive, easy-to-use and can be set up within a matter of days with little to no training – alleviating any fears about long and complicated on-boarding processes. It offers a comprehensive suite of transport management features including real-time tracking of shipments via air, sea, road and rail, demurrage and detention costs and alerts, customs declarations in minutes, configurable workflows and automated tasks, document and quotation generation, customer portal, invoice management, foreign exchange rate calculations, carbon emissions reporting and more.

AI-driven customs automation

This year’s Multimodal also includes a brand new focus on AI, helping businesses learn more about how AI can transform their operations. CocoonOPS, for example, has a strategic partnership with iCustoms.ai which enables customs declarations to be completed in mere minutes. By taking advantage of iCustoms.ai’s cutting-edge AI capabilities, the customs process is significantly improved, boosting efficiency and ensuring compliance with international trade regulations in a fraction of the time.

Measuring carbon emissions with unique calculation tool

Another key benefit of CocoonOPS is the CocoonCarbon reporting tool – which is also available as a standalone product for businesses looking to reduce their carbon footprint. CocoonCarbon simplifies Scope 3 carbon emissions tracking for businesses of all sizes, going beyond traditional transport metrics by calculating emissions from well to wheel. This means the entire lifecycle of a vehicle or fuel can be calculated, through both the production and consumption stages.

Unlike other platforms, payment is per shipping, rather than per leg, so the cost is more affordable and more predictable. Up to 10,000 shipments can be calculated in a single upload. The visual reporting helps businesses identify emissions hotspots in the supply chain, make informed decisions about their chosen transport routes, and potentially reduce costs through optimised routing.
In the last 18 months, CocoonCarbon has calculated more than 1.2 million shipments, with 7.9 million tonnes of carbon tracked.

CocoonFMS managing partner, James Blackman, said: “We’re delighted to be returning to Multimodal this year and showing lots of freight forwarding and logistics businesses how we can make their lives easier. We attended in 2024 when the platform was relatively new – although it was years in the making – and secured a number of new clients as a result. Since then, we’ve made even more improvements to the system, including the absolutely game-changing partnership with iCustoms.ai. Coming from a logistics background myself, I know that so many businesses are stuck using outdated and clunky systems, but they’re afraid to change because of the perceived disruption. However, we want to reassure them that this isn’t the case with CocoonOPS, and this is something we’ll be able to demonstrate in real life for anyone who wants to find out more. We’ll be on stand G4 and look forward to welcoming people.”

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Modal Shift Programme sees Containers Moved by Rail

Posted on by David Priestman

DP World has recorded the 100,000th container moved by rail from its Southampton logistics hub as part of its award-winning and carbon emission reducing Modal Shift Programme trial.

The share of rail freight for onward journeys by containers arriving by sea at DP World Southampton has risen from 21% at the start of the programme to more than 30% today. The increase means 100,000 more containers have started their onward journey by rail than without the incentive. The landmark 100,000th container departed Southampton by freight train carrying goods being shipped for major retailer Halfords.

In reaching this total the Modal Shift Programme has removed more than 25,000 tonnes of CO₂e from supply chains, cut road congestion by shifting approximately 8 million road miles to rail freight. DP World now aims to further increase the share of rail freight towards 40% in 2026.

John Trenchard, Vice President – Commercial & Supply Chain, DP World in the UK, said: “I would like to thank all our customers who have embraced the Modal Shift Programme and made the positive choice to use rail as a lower carbon option for their international supply chains through DP World Southampton. Reaching this groundbreaking milestone of an additional 100,000 containers moved by rail rather than road is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team to make the Modal Shift Programme trial the success it is now.

“This is a unique programme that sits at the heart of DP World’s ambition to offer market leading, more sustainable options to our supply chain partners in the UK. Through a combination of detailed analysis, customer engagement and responding to new market trends, we have further refined the programme trial since its launch in September 2023 and set our sights on continued growth in the share of rail freight for the onward journeys all containers make after arriving at Southampton.”

Emma Tillsley, International Logistics and Customs Manager at Halfords, said: “We’re committed to reducing emissions from all parts of our supply chain. Moving freight from road to rail is an important part of that strategy. We’re thrilled to learn that a container carrying Halfords products was the 100,000th to be moved by rail from Southampton under this DP World programme. The reduction of CO₂e, coupled with the added benefits of a reliable rail service, has provided a first-class overall service for our logistics network.”

The programme pays customers a direct financial incentive for each import laden container moved by rail from DP World Southampton to a railhead within 140 miles. DP World’s Modal Shift Programme trial has now resulted in the establishment of four new daily cargo rail services from Southampton to Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands Gateway and Doncaster and helped DP World win both the ‘Business of the Year’ and the ‘Driving Rail Freight Growth’ awards at last year’s Rail Freight Group honours event and an edie decarbonisation award for ‘Transport and Mobility Project of the Year’.

The milestone follows a recent announcement from DP World that its Carbon Inset Programme – a world first at a container port – has also registered more than 100,000 TEUs worth of import laden containers by cargo owners in its first two months. Launched in January, the Carbon Inset Programme rewards importers with 50kg CO₂e of carbon inset credits for every loaded import container they move through DP World’s London Gateway and Southampton terminals.

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. Operating in 78 countries, DP World handles 10 per cent of global containerised trade.

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New Rail Freight Connection between Poland and Spain

Posted on by David Priestman

Geodis, a leading intermodal operator, has expanded its rail freight services with another fixed schedule connection. As of June 11th, the freight train between Łódź and Barcelona was operable, representing the first direct rail connection between the two countries.

On the inaugural trip customers’ goods in 44 containers and/or swap bodies, each capable of carrying a payload of 26 tons set off from the freight terminal in Łódź, reaching Barcelona after just three days, from where ‘last mile‘ distribution will take place by road. Later on that day of arrival, the train returns to Poland with imported goods from Spain. Successive trains have also a capacity of 44 units, replacing the same amount of trucks that might otherwise be used.

The service is an example of GEODIS’ ability to go beyond a pure intermodal offering and provide a truly multimodal option, which combines road transport with rail seamlessly, enabling a secure flow of goods and more flexibility in managing peaks in demand.

Moving more goods safely with less energy consumed

Delivering goods on rail emits five times less CO2 than covering the same distance by road and is 12 times lower than the equivalent air transport. The rail link allows the delivery of as much as 1,000 tons of goods from various industries.

The rail route between Łódź and Barcelona, although longer than the road journey by almost 160 km, reduces CO2 emissions by up to -79%. Moreover, energy consumption is around 57% lower.

Dynamic development of rail transport services

In the first stage of the development of this project, the schedule provides for one train per week, leaving Łódź every Tuesday. In the other direction, the train will depart from Barcelona on Fridays.

“The launch of the new Łódź – Barcelona rail connection provides customers a large number of benefits, as it will enable punctual transportation of shipments, while considerably limiting CO2 emissions,” said Marc Vollet, Chief Operations Officer at GEODIS European Road Network. “GEODIS is one of the leading intermodal operators, and we are proud to continue in this vein by developing this road-rail solution in Europe, enabling our customers to benefit from even more solutions and optional routings. We have great ambitions for this new line, as we plan to increase the frequency to two trains per week in the near future.”

This new multimodal block-train is an addition to the existing GEODIS multimodal route network which operates nearly 120 trains a week throughout Europe.

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Rejuvenation of Lodz Logistics Hubs

 

BIFA Takes Centre Stage at Multimodal 2024

Posted on by Keith McKinley

For the fourth year running, the British International Freight Association (BIFA) will be centre stage in more ways than one at the forthcoming Multimodal Exhibition and Conference at Birmingham NEC.

With 42 bespoke Logistics Services Provider Pods (Logpods), as well as BIFA’s own exhibition stand (2060), BIFA’s Forwarder Village will provide a networking marketplace for BIFA members and associate members to showcase the products and services they offer.

On Wednesday, BIFA launches its annual and highly acclaimed Freight Service Awards competition, for the 36th year running, and staff will be on hand to provide further information about the entry process and the benefits of entering. BIFA’s Forwarder Village will also allow visitors to learn more about the workings of the trade association, and the benefits of being a member, whilst discussing their day-to-day freight forwarding requirements with the businesses that have booked a Logpod.

The trade association’s stand focuses on BIFA’s training, membership, policy and compliance, and member engagement work, with staff on hand each day that are specifically involved in those activities. Those staff will be answering visitors’ questions and delivering guidance on the issues facing the freight and logistics sector.

The trade association’s training team will also be on hand to demonstrate its ever-increasing portfolio of training services, and there will be an exclusive Multimodal2024 discount for anybody who books a training course at the stand. Visitors will also be able to find out more about the benefits of membership, as well as what BIFA is doing to engage with its members via such initiatives as its Young Forwarder Network, regional meetings, and annual hallmark events.

BIFA’s Young Forwarder Network (YFN) has become an integral and much-loved part of BIFA’s attempts to improve the promotion of the sector, making it more attractive to younger people and providing forums from which to learn. BIFA will host official Young Forwarder Network meet-ups on Tuesday and Wednesday at 14:00, and Thursday at 11:00.

Steve Parker, BIFA director general says: “BIFA arrives at Multimodal 2024 in good shape with significant momentum, a clear strategy, and a record number of members. Our presence at the heart of the BIFA Forwarder Village gives us a further opportunity to support and engage with our members and others on all sides of supply chains.

“It also enables us to showcase what the trade association is doing to address the current challenges facing our members, and the supply chain and logistics community they serve. Since I became Director General on 1st January 2023, from a policy and compliance perspective, there has been a continued focus on Customs-related issues and an ongoing review of all frontier policies as well as the introduction of new policies applicable to all of the UK’s international trade.

“So, it will not be surprising if conversations about Customs affairs occupy a good deal of BIFA’s time during the three days at Multimodal 2024, which gives us the opportunity to provide some useful insight and advice on the current state of a play. BIFA will also be using the event to showcase some of the work that it is doing in other areas, such as training and recruitment, as well as sustainability, so I welcome all attendees that are looking for advice designed to help deal with the big issues, to visit our stand in the BIFA Forwarder Village. Whilst the international freight industry is devising methods of coping with the changing logistics demands of the global village often at a distance, the BIFA Forwarder Village will give participants the opportunity for close range networking with existing and potential customers in a more personal environment.”

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Customs Software Suite Showcasing at Multimodal

Posted on by David Priestman

Descartes Systems Group, a global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce and Thyme-IT, a leading provider of customs and excise software solutions, will showcase their combined software solutions for customs and regulatory compliance at Multimodal 2024 (11th – 13th June, NEC, Birmingham) in their first joint event attendance since Descartes acquired Thyme-IT in April 2024.

The UK’s largest and most prestigious event for logistics, transport, and supply chain management, Multimodal provides a unique opportunity for businesses of all sizes to connect with domain experts from both Descartes (Stand 4055) and Thyme-IT (Stand 3035) and discuss how advanced, cloud-based customs and compliance software helps companies collaborate with trading partners and customs authorities to facilitate regulatory compliance and speed the flow of international trade.

In addition, Descartes’ VP of sales Customs EMEA, Lars Persson, and James Stafford, Sales manager Customs UK, will take to the Norton Stage at 14:45pm on Tuesday 11th June to discuss how companies can build resilience by leveraging technology for customs and regulatory compliance. They will explore how in today’s dynamic regulatory landscape, the demands on customs compliance are mounting, which, coupled with staff shortages and a commensurate lack of customs knowledge, can lead to errors and interruptions in trade flows.

Persson comments: “We are excited to show together how technology empowers companies to navigate the complexities of customs and regulatory compliance with confidence. With our wide array of cloud-based solutions, global companies in diverse industries are better positioned to streamline cross-border trade with preparation, filing and visibility solutions for cargo security, customs declarations, and other regulatory mandates.

Thyme-IT’s Managing Director Dave Browne notes: “We are excited to return to Multimodal 2024 for another year of insightful discussions about recent changes in the logistics and supply chain management industry, where the industry is going and how we can be part of positive changes in the future, particularly under the umbrella of Descartes’ global reach.”

Learn more about Descartes’ Customs and Regulatory Compliance solutions and visit Descartes at Stand 4055 and Thyme-IT at Stand 3035 during Multimodal to learn more about their innovative offerings.

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Cargo Owners Encouraged to Shift to Rail

Posted on by David Priestman

DP World has launched a new programme in the UK to help cargo owners reduce their carbon emissions by shifting from road to rail freight.

The Modal Shift Programme, which is being trialled at DP World’s Southampton Logistics Hub, offers customers a financial incentive to move their imported goods off the road and onto rail, cutting carbon emissions and air pollutants – the programme could prevent as much as 30,000 metric tonnes of carbon dioxide being emitted per year. The financial incentive will be paid for by a relatively small charge on all import laden containers coming through DP World Southampton.

Under the scheme, customers whose import-laden containers are moved by rail to a railhead within 140 miles of DP World Southampton will receive a £70 incentive. Containers that are moved by rail to a railhead more than 140 miles from DP World Southampton will be reimbursed the £10 fee on each container.

John Trenchard, UK Commercial & Supply Chain Director at DP World, said: “DP World will help mitigate the impacts of climate change by becoming a net zero logistics organisation by 2050 and continue to support our customers on their own decarbonisation journeys. We invite supply chain partners to review if rail can play a bigger role in their UK supply chains.

“Southampton has traditionally moved more containers by rail more than any other UK terminal. Over the last few years however, there has been a gradual decline in rail share – a consequence of the wider nationwide challenges facing rail freight at present. Through the Modal Shift Programme we aim to increase the rail share up towards 40% by the end of 2025 – supporting the UK Government’s ambition to drive the modal shift from road freight to more environmentally sustainable alternatives like rail.”

DP World was named ‘Sustainability Company of the Year’ at Multimodal 2023 thanks, in part, to the Modal Shift Programme. The company was also recognised for delivering a 55% reduction in net carbon emissions from its fleet and installations at Southampton in 2022 after transitioning to Hydrotreated Vegetable Oil (HVO) and its £12m investment at London Gateway in the first all-electric fleet of straddle carriers to go into commercial operation at a port anywhere in the world.

In addition to its UK 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. Operating in 78 countries, DP World now handles 10 per cent of world trade.

Work Starts on Cherbourg Multimodal Terminal

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Hervé Morin, Chairman of the Ports of Normandy and Chairman of Normandy Council, has officially launched the construction work to build the multimodal terminal in the Port of Cherbourg. This investment is part of a vast rail-road transport scheme which, once completed, will connect the south-west of France to Great Britain and Ireland through Cherbourg-en-Cotentin. The latter portion is managed by Brittany Ferries and Ports of Normandy, and aims to significantly enlarge the Port of Cherbourg’s catchment area.

In 2022 the cross-Channel business amounted to about five million heavy goods vehicles arriving in France (Channel Tunnel traffic included). This business has been enjoying steady growth over the last decade (+25%). In addition to this structural growth, the freight ferry business is changing and new challenges relating to environmental issues, Brexit and the increasing size of vessels are emerging. Together, all these factors are tending to lead to less reliance on “road-only” solutions, and the emergence of unaccompanied loads and massive alternative land transport.

Consequently, Ports of Normandy has set itself five strategic goals:

  • Accommodate larger vessels
  • Consolidate and enlarge its catchment area
  • Rise to the challenges of Brexit and the EES border controls
  • Make possible a new and competitive land transport service that is both an alternative and complementary to road transport.
  • Contribute to providing more environmentally friendly transport

In 2020 Ports of Normandy called for expressions of interest (AMI) for the purpose of designating the users of the multimodal terminal in the Port of Cherbourg, the only cross-Channel terminal west of the Dover Strait that can be easily connected to the rail network. Brittany Ferries replied with a proposal involving a rail service between Cherbourg and Bayonne.

Through this service, Brittany Ferries aims to:

  • Bolster its productivity by reducing the number of tractor units shipped (optimise weight and volume carried) in order to increase the number of unaccompanied vehicles (trailers) carried across the entire maritime freight business.
  • Improve the environmental performance of shipping
  • Consolidate its position on long routes between Spain and the British Isles, and diversify its maritime services to include rail transport

This rail-transport project is part of a much larger strategy that is being developed by Brittany Ferries, and which includes the renewal of its fleet and the adoption of ever more eco-friendly propulsion systems. Brittany Ferries is now making an extra three rotations to Cherbourg with its new vessels – Galicia, Salamanca, Santona – as part of its strategy to increase its freight business. The Cherbourg rolling road project and its multimodal terminal complement this consolidation of the Roscoff-based operator’s services.

Brittany Ferries’ proposal is based on the LOHR system which:

  • Makes the trailers compatible with railway tunnels, a major constraint in France and the Iberian Peninsula
  • Enables the loading of trailers that cannot be lifted, which accounts for the majority of road trailers
  • Implements a competitive logistics system which makes loading operations simpler, quicker and safer
  • Makes possible connections to other French and European terminals (Sète, Marseilles, Italy…)

For Brittany Ferries, this project requires the creation of a rail terminal in Mouguerre (in the urban area of Bayonne) and a 950km rail route between Mouguerre and Cherbourg, as well as a daily return service with a carrying capacity of 42 trailers each way.

Construction of the multimodal terminal

After holding a public consultation in April 2020 and successfully rerouting the Boulevard Maritime to free up the 2-hectare site required for the construction of the multimodal terminal, Ports of Normandy will launch the construction work on the terminal in September. The works have been carefully planned to ensure no traffic disruption. The terminal is expected to enter service in September 2024.

An industrial grouping comprising OFFROY (Groupe NGE), NGE GC (Groupe NGE) and DNA CONSULT will undertake the construction work on behalf of Ports of Normandy in accordance with the following schedule:

  • September 2023: work starts
  • October 2023 to March 2024: civil engineering works on the terminal dock
  • April 2024: construction of the facilities
  • November 2023 to April 2024: railway construction work
  • January 2024: construction of a building for inspecting the trailers
  • February to May 2024: road construction work, the entry and exit flows having been entirely redesigned during the construction of the multimodal terminal in order to ensure that traffic moves freely
  • July 2024: work ends

The line will open thereafter. After a period of gradually increasing the operating load, the line will be able to process about 20,000 trailers inbound or outbound through the Port of Cherbourg.

For Ports of Normandy, this project represents an investment of €13m, funded by Normandy Council (€1.7m), Manche Council (€850k), the Cotentin Urban Area (€285k) and self-funding (€8.7m). The European Union is also funding the project to the tune of €1.4m (included in the aforementioned €13m). As for Cherbourg Port, the investment amounts to €4m, bringing the total to just over €17m.

Hervé Morin, Chairman of Ports of Normandy, says: “Concerns for the environment, the increasing size of vessels and Brexit are all having a profound impact on cross-Channel traffic. Ports of Normandy and Brittany Ferries have decided to rise to the challenge of these issues by developing an alternative mode of transport. This ambitious project will ensure a greater catchment area for the Port of Cherbourg and thus allow it to pursue its development, without compromising the cross-Channel traffic passing through Dieppe and Ouistreham. Instead, it is offering an alternative and complementary solution that is environmentally friendly.”

New Diesel-Electric Reefer Developed

Posted on by David Priestman

Rotterdam-based Unit45, which works exclusively on the development, construction, financing and delivery of 45ft pallet-wide containers, has developed a new diesel-electric reefer in collaboration with their client, the Belgian logistics solutions’ provider H.Essers.

H.Essers provides personalised and integrated solutions for sustainable transport and logistics across Europe. Essers aims to be a reliable, long-term supply chain partner for clients in various industries. This newly developed diesel electric reefer is highly reliable and was designed with a 900 litre tank, making it 100 litres larger in capacity than the previous version.

The reefer, which features a motor manufactured by Thermo King, has a low fuel consumption and is maintenance friendly. Its high cooling capacity and the possibility to easily control the temperature make it suitable for transporting pharmaceutical products, perishable goods and appliances also for long-distance journeys, for instance as part of the New Silk route.

This unit can remain 18 to 28 days self-supporting, so you do not have to refuel during the travel at all. This is extremely important because in some countries the diesel just does not have the correct quality.

Unit45’s managing director Jan Koolen explains, “Refuelling in Kazakhstan for example can be a challenge, you simply risk the wrong diesel in the tank. Often the diesel is thinned with water. When this freezes the engine will stall.”

Diesel-Electric Reefer

It is intended for use in multimodal operations where rail is featured as, while the cost of moving temperature-controlled cargoes over long distances by road is ever rising, very few rail operators can provide a reliable power supply for all-electric reefers.

“Rail transport in shortsea keep on going steady and that is what we do best. This is not a new development but growth of intermodal transport has been going on for a while now,’ explained Koolen.
The reefer also includes an advance track and trace system to control and record the temperature and the position of the container, as well as any door opening with real-time alerts. The power of UNIT45 is not only her innovation skills but also its flexibility,” said Koolen. This flexibility also results in giving UNIT45 the possibility to accept all types of orders. “When a company has a new idea we are always prepared to join in. Our developers are ready to work with our clients’.”

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