Rebuilding the UK

PE firm puts six operators together to form the UK’s largest logistics company

A private equity firm has put together six operators to form the UK’s largest privately owned logistics company, EV Cargo.
The companies, backed by Hong Kong-based EmergeVest, are Allport Cargo Services, Palletforce, CM Downton, Jigsaw, NFT and Adjuno.
The wide range of specialities in the group, from CM Downton, a haulier bought earlier this year by EmergeVest for £75m, to NFT, a cool chain specialist, and Adjuno, a supply chain software company, gives …

The post PE firm puts six operators...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/pe-firm-puts-six-operators-together-form-uks-largest-logistics-company/

Whitehall backs move to bring distributed ledger technology to UK ports

A UK government-backed initiative to foster digital innovation across industry is looking to demonstrate the benefits of distributed ledger technology (DLT) in the shipping sector by 2020.
Last month’s budget renewed five-year funding for Digital Catapult, which provides physical and digital facilities for technology testing and seeks to foster industry collaboration.
As part of its ambitions, Digital Catapult has launched DLT field labs, working with businesses, investors and regulators in a...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/whitehall-backs-move-bring-distributed-ledger-technology-uk-ports/

Sewerage project shows how the Thames could again be a major cargo route

London is facing the perfect opportunity to revitalise the Thames’s reputation as a working river that can be a viable alternative to the city’s gridlocked roads for cargo transport.
At Intermodal Europe in Rotterdam this month, freight and fleet project manager at Transport for London (TFL), Peter Binham, said a new sewerage system being constructed in London sets a good example of this.
“More than 7m tonnes of cargo are being moved by barge in the development of …

The post Sewerage project...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/sewerage-project-shows-thames-major-cargo-route/

Jesse Norman new transport minister after Johnson resigns over Brexit

The UK government has been busy reshuffling its deck following the resignation of transport minister Jo Johnson (brother of Boris) last week. First up, Infrastructure Intelligence reports Mr Johnson’s immediate replacement has been announced as Jesse Norman. Mr Norman has vacated the rail minister seat, which was quickly filled by MP for Harrogate, Knaresborough & Boroughbridge Andrew Jones.

The post Jesse Norman new transport minister after Johnson resigns over Brexit appeared first on The...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/jesse-norman-new-transport-minister-johnson-resigns-brexit/

Anger grows among UK hauliers as shipping lines enforce loading ‘surcharges’

Forwarders and shippers are trapped in a “self-perpetuating cycle of misery”, brought about by the collapse of the UK’s haulage sector, according to industry sources.
While container lines have made their haulage networks more visible in recent weeks, load-on and load-off charges continue to eat into customer pockets.
One forwarder, speaking to The Loadstar, demanded that carriers address these costs, which they describe as “nothing but a surcharge”.
“Customers are charged a lo-lo fee – …

The...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/anger-growing-among-uk-hauliers-shipping-lines-enforce-loading-surcharges/

UK plastics recycling under investigation for fraud and corruption

Six UK plastic waste exporters have had their licences suspended or cancelled in the past three months, with the government setting up an investigation into “widespread” abuse. The Guardian reports that the UK is about to be banned from exporting packaging waste, amid claims that organised criminals and firms have been abusing the system. Complaints range from falsely claiming for waste that does not exist, waste not being recycled and left …

The post UK plastics recycling under investigation...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/uk-plastics-recycling-investigation-fraud-corruption/

Brexit unease and driver shortage saps confidence among UK logistics firms

More than 60% of logistics companies say business conditions have become more challenging in the past year.
The Moore Stephens/Barclays annual UK Logistics Confidence Index registered the biggest decline in confidence since 2015 – although overall, the index remains in positive territory, at 52.6 points.
The biggest concern is driver shortages, with one in five logistics operators saying they expect a decreased headcount in the next 12 months, as EU-native drivers leave and older drivers...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/brexit-unease-driver-shortage-saps-confidence-among-uk-logistics-firms/

‘Good news’ from Whitehall generates anger in logistics sector, yet again

Two UK government pledges this week, purportedly in support of logistics, have left the industry both surprised and disappointed.
While there was some cheer for beleaguered hauliers, as Whitehall announced it had frozen increases on fuel duty again, the Freight Transport Association (FTA) argued that it was a missed opportunity.
“A 10p per litre cut would increase economic activity by nearly 1% in just one year, creating over a quarter of a million jobs,” …

The post ‘Good news’ from Whitehall...

https://theloadstar.co.uk/good-news-whitehall-generates-anger-logistics-industry/

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