Freight and Logistics News

Marks & Spencer will pilot hydrogen fuel cells

2012-01-24T02:37:00.001Z

Marks & Spencer will pilot hydrogen fuel cells on its materials handling equipment, using on site hydrogen generation, from ITM Power.

M&S has signed a contract for a six week trial of several fuel cell vehicles as a direct substitute for part of the existing battery powered fleet at its 1.1 million sq ft distribution centre at ProLogis Park in Bradford.

ITM reckons the trial, which forms part of the M&S Plan A initiative, is the first of its kind in the UK.

http://bit.ly/x9daLt

Direct Rail Services announced an order for Vossloh España to supply 15 EuroLight

2012-01-20T13:25:00.001Z

05 January 2012

UK: Open access freight and charter operator Direct Rail Services announced an order for Vossloh España to supply 15 EuroLight UK mixed traffic diesel-electric locomotives on January 5. The contract includes options for future orders, but commercial details are not being disclosed.

DRS said the locomotives are scheduled to be delivered in late 2013. The design has been developed in conjunction with Beacon Rail Leasing, and is based on a smaller-profile version of the four-axle EuroLight low-axleload freight and passenger locomotive prototype which Vossloh unveiled at InnoTrans 2010 and which is currently operating in Germany.

The locomotives ordered by DRS will be fitted with a 3 750 hp Caterpillar C175 engine and AC traction equipment from ABB, giving a top speed of 160 km/h and 'genuine mixed traffic haulage capabilities' for use on intermodal and passenger trains. The operator said the locomotives will meet 'the latest emission standards' and 'set new standards' for the driver's environment.

'The trading conditions out there are tough, and it is important that we are at the forefront of technology', DRS Commercial & Business Development Director Chris Connolly told the BBC.

Rail link between Europe and Asia is a big challenge

2012-01-19T12:37:00.002Z

Interview with Hans-Georg Werner, Member of the Board of DB Schenker Rail responsible with the Eastern Region and CEO of DB Schenker Rail Polska:

In my opinion (THZ) it is fascinating to see DB, who may not be as open in Germany, crticising the Polish railways system just as DB is attacked by new entrants in Germany! Worth a read:

http://www.railwaypro.com/wp/?p=7763

Fret SNCF relaxes single-wagon conditions

2012-01-13T15:11:00.001Z

French state rail operator Fret SNCF has relaxed some of the conditions imposed on customers for its replacement single-wagon service.

The “multi-lots, multi-clients” (MLMC) product was launched a year ago to replace the previous single-wagon load service, which generated 30-40% of the division’s annual turnover but accounted for 70% of its losses.

Under the new system, single-wagon services are available only on certain corridors that can provide a minimum level of traffic in each direction.

Shippers were required to commit on an annual basis to a specified number of wagon loads, confirmed by pre-ordering wagon slots 3-4 months in advance. Shippers that couldn’t meet at least 90% of these targets faced a system of penalties.

Now, Fret SNCF has relaxed the requirement to pre-order wagon loads to one month and has cut in half the level of penalties for not meeting the 90% threshold.

According to Sylvie Charles, Director of Fret SNCF, the change in conditions resulted both from customer demands and new technology that has improved the group’s operating procedures.

“Shippers were uncomfortable with the three-month pre-order requirement,” she said, “as they have witnessed more difficult trading levels since the summer of 2011.”

For its part, she continued, Fret SNCF has been using a new computer system that allows it to request and allocate slots from rail network provider RFF without having to give four or five weeks’ notice.

In September, one of the group’s major customers, Gefco, the logistics division of PSA Peugeot-Citroen, told IFW it would not renew a key contract with Fret SNCF, “as a result of (the) new multi-load, multi-customer service not meeting expectations”.

However, after a year of operation, Charles was optimistic about the performance of MLMC.

“In 2010, the number of wagons loaded was 220,000. In 2011, we will have moved as many wagons with a completely redesigned offering, despite being told last year that the change would ‘kill’ the single-wagon service.”

The more positive performance should also be evident in the group’s financial results. Charles explained that before the onset of the financial crisis, single wagon loads were losing some €300 million a year.

“We are not yet breaking even, but we are getting closer,” she claimed.

http://bit.ly/xFxyOe

Oppoisition to Gigaliners in UK

2012-01-13T15:09:00.001Z

Campaigners are warning that 25-metre mega-trucks weighing up to 60 tonnes could become the norm on UK roads if the government does not oppose new European proposals to allow them to cross borders.

The European Commission is proposing changes that would allow mega-truck traffic between consenting countries.

The current UK limits for lorries are 16.5 metres and 44 tonnes, but the government recently approved a 10-year trial of 18.5 metre lorries, which is due to start this month.

Campaigners argue that once European mega-trucks are allowed to travel between member states, large UK haulage companies will claim they are unfairly disadvantaged and pressurise government to allow them to operate 25-metre 60-tonne vehicles on UK roads.

Philippa Edmunds, Freight on Rail Manager, said: “The UK government must oppose the EC proposals now, otherwise in reality, it will not be able to resist them in the future.

“The impact of lorries two metres longer has not even been assessed yet, let alone of an additional eight metres.

“Allowing mega-trucks will lead to more road fatalities, more congestion and more pollution and will be disastrous for the rail freight industry, which has the potential to take thousands more long-distance lorry journeys off the road.”

She added: “Bringing mega-trucks to the UK could also cost the taxpayer dearly.

“Mega-trucks are 50% longer and a third heavier than existing HGVs. The cost of adapting road infrastructure, such as strengthening bridges, is likely to run into billions. In Austria, a much smaller country than the UK, adaptation costs have been estimated at €5 billion.

Government must stop mega-trucks coming to UK - IFW - ifw-net.com http://bit.ly/yq3Tvo

EURO CAREX at a Crossroads (odd for a rail project..)

2012-01-09T10:21:00.001Z

A decisive meeting on the future of the "CAREX" project was held on the
24th of November
2011. The purpose of this meeting, which brought together the main
political, economic and
industrial players in the affair, was to provide the various partners
present with the
necessary information for making decisions about their respective
commitments: investors,
operators, logistics operators, customers etc..

Bulgaria reopens higher speed line to Turkey

2011-12-24T16:01:00.001Z

Bulgaria's government has made a test run of a newly renovated southern highway railway section where trains can go at 160 km/h.

The testing of a section of the Plovdiv-Svilengrad railway line, which runs from the center of Southern Bulgaria to the border with Turkey, was attended by Prime Minister Boyko Borisov, Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski, Regional Development Minister Lilyana Pavlova, EU Funds Minister Tomislav Donchev.

The government delegation took a trip with from Krumovo to Parvomay, a 37-km section, which was taken in 20 minutes with a speed of 165 km/h. Before themodernization of the line, the distance there would take about an hour, the Transport Ministry explained.

"After 2013 Bulgaria can apply for a total funding of EUR 300 M from the EU, which amounts to modernized railway sections for 100 new trains," stated Bulgaria's Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski.

He further promised that by 2014 the entire railway line from Plovdiv to the border with Turkey and Greece would be modernized, and the distance would take about 1 hour 15 minutes.

The Bulgarian Transport Ministry pointed out that the Plovdiv-Svilengrad railway linerenovation is the largest infrastructure project of "National Company Industrial Infrastructure"; it is being carried out with a transition in the types of EU funding – from the pre-accession ISPA program to Operational Program Transport.

According to the government, the project provides for the reconstruction of one of the oldest railway lines in Bulgaria; once completed, passenger trains will be able to run at 160 km/h, and freight trains – at 120 km/h.

The project encompasses the reconstruction and partial doubling of approximately 150 km of railway track, construction of a catenary system, traction substations, signaling systems, telecommunications and radio control, as well as structures which will enable the complete doubling of the line in the future.

As of December 22, 2011, Bulgaria's National Company Industrial Infrastructure has seen completed 99% of the renovation of the Krumovo-Parvomay railway line by the Greek company TERNA, and the Parvamay-Dimitrovgrad line's modernizationhas been completed at 95% by the Italian company Astaldi.

The rest of the Plovdiv-Svilengrad line – from Dimitrovgrad to Svilengrad – will be funded under EU Operational Program Transport, with a tender already having started. The final section – from Svilengrad to the Turkish border – is supposed to be completed by the summer of 2012.

http://www.novinite.com/view_news.php?id=135093

Portas calls for fewer restrictions on night-time deliveries

2011-12-19T12:06:00.001Z

Retail guru Mary Portas has called for fewer restrictions on night-time
deliveries to boost UK retail business, in her independent review into
the state of our high streets and town centres, commissioned by the
government.

http://bit.ly/vL5xZ8

A full-scale political battle is emerging in Germany over giga-liner trials planned for next year.

2011-12-19T11:57:00.001Z

The country's Green and SPD parties intend to question the legality of
the trials after several of the country's most economically powerful
states said they would refuse to allow the mega-trucks to use their roads.

Giga-liner wrangle heads for court - IFW - ifw-net.com http://bit.ly/sEmjLT

Tolls on Humber Bridge halved by Chancellor

2011-12-01T08:52:00.001Z

Chancellor George Osborne’s Autumn Statement contained confirmation that the cost of crossing the Humber Bridge by car will be halved to £1.50 next April. After years of calls for the bridge burden to be lifted, the Government has finally listened, wiping out £150m of the structure’s crippling historical debt.

The council is delighted that the Government has decided to fund the A164 Humber Bridge to Beverley route improvement scheme. Funding has been confirmed in the Chancellor's statement today 29 November.

The £10 million A164 Humber Bridge to Beverley route improvement scheme, to which the council is contributing £2.3 million, comprises the construction of a dual carriageway between Willerby and Cottingham, reconfiguration of the four roundabouts along the A164, providing two-lane entry/two-lane exit, and the provision of a continuous cycle route between Beverley and the Humber Bridge.

http://meehanmediacomms.blogspot.com/2011/11/at-last-humber-becomes-real-region-with.html

http://www.hull.co.uk/news.asp?PageID=74&NewsID=2404

Railway freight fell 2008-2009

2011-11-29T17:08:00.001Z

The total performance of rail freight transport in the European Union (EU) was estimated at 366 billion tonne-kilometres in 2009, representing a reduction of more than 17 % compared to 2008. This fall reflects the impact of the economic crisis on rail freight transport, which had registered sustained growth over recent years until the second quarter of 2008. Transit transport was particularly affected (-27 % between 2008 and 2009), while the decline was less marked for national (-15 %) and international (-20 %) transport.

More here

Update

2011-11-28T18:23:00.000Z

News

4 new results for freight bulgaria OR romania OR slovakia OR hungary OR germany OR netherlands OR austria

Hungary freight deliveries down 2.3% in tonne kilometres in Q3
Budapest Business Journal
Freight deliveries by Hungarian logistics companies fell 2.3% in the third quarter of 2011 from a year earlier in terms of freight-tonne kilometres and fell 11.0% if measured in tonnes, the Central Statistics Office (KSH) said on Monday. ...
See all stories on this topic »

Crisis Grinch Steals Christmas From Cargo Carriers: Freight
Bloomberg
By Alex Webb and Sabine Pirone - Mon Nov 28 10:53:03 GMT 2011 Cargo is loaded into a Lufthansa McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter aircraft at the Deutsche Lufthansa cargo terminal at Frankfurt International Airport in Frankfurt, Germany. Cargo traffic ...
See all stories on this topic »

Bloomberg

Freight Only Ferry Company Invests in the Future with New RoRo Vessels
The Handy Shipping Guide
The second ship, Seatruck Power, was launched at the FSG Flensburg Yard, Germany and will serve alongside her sister ship Seatruck Progress from February. The remaining two ferries are due for delivery in the first half of 2012. ...
See all stories on this topic »

The Handy Shipping Guide

Romania on path of reform and fiscal prudence, Basescu tells conference
Business Review
Romania is currently pursuing a restructuring and privatization plan for SOEs, such as CFR Marfa (the national rail freight operator). The country will also put up for sale minority stakes in energy firms Romgaz, Transgaz and Hidroelectrica. ...
See all stories on this topic »

Web

2 new results for freight bulgaria OR romania OR slovakia OR hungary OR germany OR netherlands OR austria

Black Friday Look PIKO Germany - Union Pacific 120V Freight Train ...
Cybermondaytosale wrote a note titled Black Friday Look PIKO Germany - Union Pacific 120V Freight Train Complete Starter Set. Read the full text here.
www.facebook.com/notes/...Set/180274998734275

The Freight Transport Infrastructure in Germany | Incredible Germany
Germany has a transport infrastructure that is the envy of the world and this has helped enable the development of a highly effective freight services industry. ...
incrediblegermany.com/?p=483

Germany in the dock over rail inter-operability

2011-11-28T18:22:00.001Z

The European Commission is to refer Germany to the European Court of Justice for failure to implement common rules on achieving inter-operability of European railways.

  http://bit.ly/v5DekG

CO3 - Horizontal Collaboration

2011-10-26T11:09:00.001+01:00

All change at CLECAT

2011-10-25T12:36:00.001+01:00

CLECAT, the European organisation for freight forwarders and customs
agents, has chosen Nicolette van der Jagt to take over as director
general from 1st January when Marco Sorgetti becomes director general of
FIATA.

For the past ten years she has been secretary general at the European
Shippers' Council.

http://bit.ly/syXDRt

UIRR welcomes Eurovignette Compromise

2011-10-25T12:35:00.001+01:00

“The benefits of CT to shippers and society at large can, however, only become obvious if the external costs of transport’s GHG emissions and transport-related accident costs are also allowed to become a price influencing factor” – said UIRR Executive Chairman, Rudy Colle, on the occasion.

The European Council reached a landmark decision on 12 September 2011 by approving the compromise amendment of the ‘Eurovignette Directive’ . UIRR welcomes this resolution as the breakthrough in which the European legislator first recognised the need to internalise external costs of transport in order to allow correct price signals to be received by market players who use (road) transport services.

The new legislation will enable Member States of the European Union wishing to do so, to internalize two types of external costs of road transport: local air and noise pollution caused by the circulation of heavy goods vehicles. The modulation of road tolls will also become possible to mitigate congestion over a maximum five hour period of the day on affected routes.

The importance of this decision, reached with the objection of two countries and the abstention of three , must not be underestimated despite its limitations and the numerous exemptions to it. External costs related to the various modes of transport differ to a great extent. Internalisation of these costs, presently underwritten by public budgets, is essential to enable correct price signals to be delivered to users of transport services, and ultimately to create a fair competitive framework – especially over distances longer than 300km – between the different modes of transport based on the inherent technical properties of each.

Road-Rail Combined Transport (CT) is a system of freight forwarding which is based upon inserting economically and ecologically sustainable electric rail into long-distance (road) transport-chains through the use of intermodal loading units (ILU). The shifting of loads between modes takes place quickly and efficiently at transhipment terminals. CT offers the competitive combination of the flexibility of road transport – used in the positioning legs of ILUs – with the energy efficiency, extreme low greenhouse gas emissions and superior safety record of electric rail traction over long distances.

The legislation adopted by the European legislative bodies requires that a further amendment of these rules be developed by the European Commission within 48 months. This period of time should enable

a comprehensive approach incorporating the revision of the legal framework of transport taxation and charging for transport-related government services, together with
aligning the basis of road tolling with the distance-based principle used in rail for many years, and
to devise rules for the internalisation of presently unaffected externalities: GHG-emissions, accident-related external costs and the costs of oil-dependency (as proposed in the UIRR position paper published in December 2010).

Source: UIRR: http://bit.ly/vODh9e

Green Truck Market Analysis and Forecasting

2011-10-04T16:50:00.004+01:00

As the global economy begins tentative steps toward recovery, truck manufacturers are looking to technologies that can help mitigate the rising cost of diesel fuel while meeting increasingly strict emissions requirements. Trucks that utilize electricity to meet these goals come in four variations: hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid, battery electric, and plug-in electric power take-off to operate equipment onboard without using fuel. As the technology costs fall and diesel prices increase, the value proposition for hybrid trucks is strong, and Pike Research forecasts that sales will surpass 100,000 vehicles annually by 2017.

Most hybrid electric, plug-in hybrid electric, and battery electric trucks will utilize different chemistries of lithium ion (Li-ion) batteries. Pike Research expects that the use of nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries will peak in 2016, as vehicle manufacturers move their remaining systems toward Li-ion. Essentially, all battery electric trucks are anticipated to be Li-ion, as very little development work is underway in the MD or HD truck markets with other battery technologies. The Li-ion market is expected to reach 3.6 million kilowatt hours (kWh) globally in the medium and heavy duty truck market by 2017.

http://bit.ly/nYW5we

Sarkozy bid to arrest decline in French road haulage sector

2011-09-08T12:44:00.001+01:00

French President Nicolas Sarkozy has called on his government to present proposals to arrest the decline of the country’s road haulage sector.

“French haulage firms employ close to 400,000 people but now only account for 17% of international traffic flows in Europe. We can’t let the sector disappear,” he said.

During a visit to one haulage firm this week, Sarkozy paid hommage to “a courageous profession which offers real trades and trains young people”.

He thanked road haulage firms for their “commitment to sustainable development and road safety” and also underlined what he described as the irreplaceable nature and flexibility of road haulage “the only one capable of being close to customers”.

Sarkozy, whose term of office ends next spring, outlined an agenda for government and sector representatives.

This will include discussions on the competitiveness of firms, working hours, cabotage, the impact of an hgv tax and the addition of a sixth axle within the framework of raising the maximum weight of vehicles. Decisions are expected to be made on these issues in January, he stressed.

The head of France’s biggest road haulage federation, Christophe Pic, met with President Sarkozy during his visit and said he had alerted France’s leader to the difficulties facing his members.

“Our biggest problem is the competitiveness of our firms and of French jobs in a European market,” Pic said.

http://bit.ly/pIFKQ5

German giga-liner trials 'unconstitutional'

2011-09-08T12:43:00.001+01:00

Germany’s proposed giga-liner trials could be thrown into even greater doubt after a leading academic warned that the transport ministry could find itself being challenged in court.

Professor Ulrich Battis, an expert on constitutional issues, made a legal assessment of the plans on behalf of the German Pro-Rail Alliance and other lobby groups opposed to the trials.

He claims the longer vehicles should not be allowed on Germany’s roads without the approval of the Federal Council, parliament’s second chamber (Bundesrat).

In putting forward the draft legislation to allow the trials, the transport ministry proposed a draft exemption such that the Bundesrat would not have to approve the trials; only the first chamber (the Bundestag).

“The ministry’s draft exemption provision is quite clearly unconstitutional,” said Battis. “Any innovations with such wide-ranging consequences, including trials of mega-trucks, can in no way be simply given the green light without the approval of the federal council.”

He also claimed that the legal authority was lacking for a number of clauses in the exemption provision, making it imperative for the Bundestag to also become involved in the process.

“The assessment is a double blow for [Transport Minister] Peter Ramsauer,” said Dirk Flege MD of the Pro-Rail Alliance.

“He wants to push through trials of mega-trucks by violating the constitution on two points. As the legal assessment clearly shows, mega-trucks will be required to stop by parliament and pick up approval from both the Bundestag and the Bundesrat.”

Flege appealed to Ramsauer to withdraw the draft exemption provision. Otherwise the trials, scheduled to commence later this year, “will be challenged in the courts”.

http://bit.ly/qAk5cl

Pakistan Railways plans Rs2 billion revival for freight

2011-08-25T10:24:00.001+01:00

Cash-strapped Pakistan Railways has unveiled an ambitious business plan to revive its freight service with the support of private firms.

The plan is based on an agreement with strategic development organisation National Logistics Cell (NLC), three major terminal operators at Karachi Port, Pakistan-based Daudkhel Cement and a multinational oil company.

The private firms will provide Rs2 billion (US$23 million) for modernising 20 diesel locomotives at Pakistan Railways terminals in Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi.

Pakistan Railways will also be securing a Rs2 billion loan which it will use to pay its rent for two years. When the financial health of the railways improves, the balance will be returned to the organisations participating in the business plan.

It has not been confirmed what the companies are receiving in return for their loans.

The proposal is now awaiting approval from Pakistan’s Ministry of Railways. Sources within Pakistan Railways are confident they will get a decision in two week.

According to a senior official at Pakistan Railways, each of the 20 locomotives to be modernised will require Rs50 million. Once operational, they will be used to run freight train services from Karachi to the rest of the country.

Once the plan is approved, Pakistan Railways says it will collaborate with terminal operators Daudkhel Cement and Shell Pakistan in carrying out a survey on how to run a successful freight train service.

Pakistan Railways has a stock of 16,499 freight wagons with a total capacity of 47,000 tonnes.

According to the World Bank’s monthly bulletin, Pakistan Railways is one of the world’s largest loss-making public sector enterprises. Accumulated losses since 2006/7 now exceed Rs80 billion.

Official sources in the Railways Ministry confirmed that the operator’s daily expenditure is in the region of Rs2.5 billion, while its daily earnings are estimated at around Rs1.5-1.7 billion.

Source: IFW: http://bit.ly/qYkr5Q

Irish trucks being seized in UK ports

2011-08-25T10:15:00.001+01:00

Irish lorries are being impounded in west coast UK ports by the government, which claims Irish hauliers are operating illegal cabotage.

A number of Irish companies send unaccompanied trailers to Liverpool, Fishguard, Pembroke and Holyhead, where they are collected by Irish drivers who have stayed overnight near the ports.

The UK government claims the trailers should be collected by British hauliers.

“Irish drivers often take a load across the Irish sea and then stay in Britain to collect more Irish trailers,” explained Eoin Gavin, President of the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).

“It doesn’t make sense for them to keep going back and forth when they know they will have more loads for Britain. The stay in the UK also acts as an official break from working hours.”

The IRHA is lobbying the Irish government to persuade Westminster to classify the four relevant ports as international, so that existing cabotage rules will not apply.

At the moment, an Irish haulier is allowed to make three journeys in the UK – but any trip involving a UK port is considered one of those three trips.

If the ports were classified as international, they wouldn’t count, so collection from, and drop-off at, a port would not be seen as domestic movements.

“Our members do not want to take UK business away. We are only collecting Irish loads which we would be carrying anyway, added Gavin.

“We believe the UK government is being protectionist.”

Source: IFW: http://bit.ly/prfJ4C

Russian Railways to Sell Freight One | Business | The Moscow Times

2011-08-08T15:15:00.001+01:00

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/mobile/business/article/russian-railways-to-sell-freight-one/441703.html

Freight and Logistics Research Posts at NewRail, Newcastle University

2011-08-05T11:37:00.001+01:00

Based in the School of Mechanical & Systems Engineering, within the Newcastle Centre for Railway Research (NewRail) a researcher (probably two) is required to support ongoing research, dissemination and project support work in a variety of EU, UK and commercial research activities. The post requires a mixture of academic research, project management, networking, administration and development of dissemination materials to support projects in the field of freight logistics. Of particular interest are: transport economics (macro and micro), ICT system architecture, and intermodal freight operations. The post will involve widespread European travel, working alongside people of many cultures and backgrounds to deliver results to direct policy and practice in the area of freight logistics. You should have a PhD (or equivalent) or be nearing completion of a PhD in a relevant field. Demonstrating excellent ICT, web development, communication and team working capability and/or relevant previous experience is advantageous.

The post is tenable for 2 years in the first instance.

Informal enquiries can be made to Mr T Zunder, tom.zunder@ncl.ac.uk

Details here.

Co-operative Group unveils £25m logistics centre in Scotland

2011-07-26T15:03:00.001+01:00

26 July 2011

Serve 618 stores in Scotland and Northern Ireland with an output of 60.0
million cases a year

The Co-operative Group has officially opened its new state-of-the-art
distribution centre, which will service the whole of Scotland and
Northern Ireland, following a capital investment of £25.0 million.

The new 46,730 m2 multi-temperature depot at Newhouse, just off the M8
near Glasgow is now ramping up and will be fully operational by
September, when it will employ 1,000 staff. It will serve 618 stores in
Scotland and Northern Ireland with an output of 60.0 million cases a
year and will operate a fleet of 370 lorries and 140 fork-lift trucks
and low level order pickers.

Newhouse, which occupies a 34 acre site, is home to the striking 9m tall
public art sculpture called Woman Man Sun Moon. The depot will replace
The Co-operative's existing distribution operations in Pitreavie, which
closed earlier this year, and Cumbernauld and Harthill, which will close
before the end of 2011, and it is hoped as many staff as possible from
these sites will transfer to Newhouse.

The Co-operative Group's distribution centre in Newhouse is part of a
major overhaul of its food logistics network following its acquisition
of Somerfield in 2009. The overhaul aims to upgrade the existing
facilities, improve supply chain performance and help create a platform
for a superior store service.

Newhouse features several energy-saving and recycling initiatives,
including rainwater harvesting to reduce water demand on site and waste
oil burning systems for producing heating. It also has high reflective
ceiling panels in the warehouse, which direct light downwards and LED
lighting that provides a 60.0% decrease in energy costs while increasing
lamp life. Newhouse has also achieved the BRE Environmental Assessment
Method rating of Excellent and Energy Performance Certificate rating of
A, the highest ratings currently awarded in the industry.

The Newhouse depot will also receive rail freight, as well road freight,
taking lorry loads off the motorways, and saving more than one-third of
a million road miles a year and reducing carbon emissions. This follows
a successful pilot, which began last year, which saw a daily rail
service carry produce between Daventry, close to the Group's National
Distribution Centre at Coventry, and a rail freight terminal at Mossend,
near Newhouse.

The Co-operative Group, the UK's fifth largest food retailer, will also
roll out a scheme at Newhouse to support FareShare, a national charity
which campaigns to help communities relieve food poverty and reduce food
waste. Newhouse will send surplus food, such as oversupplies, damaged
packaging and food nearing the end of its shelf life, to be enjoyed by
some of the most disadvantaged people in the local community later this
year.

Royal Mail trials locker home delivery service

2011-07-13T09:41:00.000+01:00

Royal Mail is set to launch a home delivery service which will allow
online shoppers the chance to have goods delivered to a secure,
electronic parcel locker known as an iBox.

The service, which is being provided in conjunction with logistics firm
ByBox, will be available from a select number of online retailers from
this autumn as part of a six month trial.

iBoxes will initially be available at 17 mainline stations within London
and six other key sites

Shoppers will be notified via email or SMS as soon as their items are
delivered and will have 24/7 access to these items, which are collected
by entering a unique PIN code provided in the SMS at the iBox.

Royal Mail is using an off-the-shelf package from MetaPack which takes
care of all manifest, labelling and reporting changes to help deliver
the iBox service.

The iBox delivery option will be available on the Royal Mail Tracked two
to three day service so can be easily bolted on for retailers already
offering this option.

The move follows a similar scheme on the continent. In Germany alone
there are now almost 3,000 units deployed and 29 per cent of consumers
have said the availability of these locker banks has increased their
online purchasing.

http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/16480/Royal+Mail+trials+locker+home+delivery+service.html?IBE=LMDaily