Uniserve secures strategic partnership with AKW

Date: January 12, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Uniserve, part of GB Global, is pleased to announce its successful collaboration with AKW in establishing a long-term strategic partnership that marks a significant milestone for both businesses.

This partnership includes the leasing and fit-out of a state-of-the-art 170,000 sq ft facility in Droitwich, designed to drive operational efficiencies and support sustainable growth for the future.

In recent years, AKW, the UK’s leading manufacturer of accessible bathroom, kitchen and mobility support solutions has experienced exponential year-on-year growth, outgrowing its existing warehouse locations. To accommodate strategic expansion plans and evolving operational needs, AKW appointed Uniserve to source and deliver a modern, accessible and collaborative space that reflects its long-term vision.

The new facility offers prime connectivity via M5 (Junction 5), ensuring excellent accessibility for customers and partners. Of the total space, AKW will occupy 100,000 sq ft, including 10,000 sq ft of office space, while Uniserve will utilise the remaining 70,000 sq ft to enhance its own operations. The facility is BREEAM-Excellent certified, demonstrating a strong commitment to sustainability and setting a benchmark for environmentally responsible operations.

John Carlisle, Director of Operations, AKW stated:

“This relocation to Droitwich 170 marks a pivotal moment in AKW’s growth strategy. By moving into a significantly larger, world-class facility and partnering with Uniserve, we are ensuring our logistics operations are backed by industry-leading expertise. This partnership allows AKW to focus on our core strengths while providing our team with a superior working environment and the scalable infrastructure needed to meet our future ambitions.”

Andrew De Vere, Warehouse Director, Uniserve commented:

“This partnership represents more than just a physical move, it is a strategic step forward for AKW and Uniserve, creating a foundation for continued growth and innovation. The delivery of a modern facility, complete with a tailored fit-out, will deliver greater operational efficiency and lays the groundwork for sustainable growth. The scale and complexity of this project is a true testament to what can be achieved through genuine collaboration, and Uniserve’s expertise ensures a seamless transition while maintaining the highest standards of service are achieved.

David Barry, Group Chief Financial Officer, GB Global added:

“Working in close partnership with AKW we’ve navigated complex challenges to deliver a solution that meets both immediate and future needs in a short timeframe. This collaboration demonstrates the power of shared expertise and a unified approach – creating a foundation that elevates operational capabilities and sets new standards for service and efficiency. Together, we’re building a foundation for sustainable growth and long-term success.”

SSO Logistics motors into 2026 with pledge to become carbon neutral

Date: January 12, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

A Liverpool logistics company has showcased its commitment to sustainability by becoming a Carbon Certified Business.

Haydock and St Helens-based SSO Logistics is working to become carbon neutral by tracking its carbon footprint and reducing the environmental impact of its operation.

It is following in the footsteps of the Wolverhampton-based Pallet-Track network, which it is a Shareholder Member of who has also achieved the accreditation.

Peter Draper, CEO of SSO Logistics, said:

“We’re proud to receive this certification, which highlights SSO’s commitment to the environment and our efforts to actively reduce our carbon emissions.

“We recognise the growing impact of climate change on our industry and the communities we serve. Becoming certified provides a transparent, measurable way to track and reduce our carbon footprint.

“It also aligns with our long-term sustainability goals and reinforces our dedication to operating ethically and efficiently.”

SSO partnered with carbon reduction specialists Eight Versa, a consultancy specialising in the quantification of environmental performance, to develop a roadmap to help it achieve its sustainability goals.

Eight Versa calculated the company’s emissions in 2024 at 6,449.3 tCO2e. This covered scope 1, 2 and 3 categories of capital goods, mobile combustion and purchased goods and services.

SSO now has a plan to make changes both in the short and long-term. It has immediately looked to improve energy efficiency, reduce waste, optimise travel, and provide training to embed sustainability into day-to-day operations.

Over the coming years, SSO also plans to transition to renewable or low-carbon energy sources where possible, offset residual emissions and embed sustainability into procurement and partnerships.

Peter added:

“We view carbon certification as the start of a long-term journey, not a one-off exercise. Our goal is to integrate sustainability into every aspect of how we operate and to collaborate with customers, partners, and suppliers to reduce our shared environmental impact.

“We are committed to transparency, continuous improvement, and delivering services that are not only high quality but also responsible and future focused.”

Stuart Godman, CEO at Pallet-Track welcomed SSO’s accreditation. He said:

“Sustainability is a key focus for us here at Pallet-Track and we are pleased that it is equally important to our Shareholder Member SSO Logistics.

“It shows their ongoing commitment to the environment and we’re glad to continue working together, not only to provide best in class pallet distribution, but also to become carbon neutral.”

AssetGo drives efficiency for Petit Forestier’s refrigerated fleet

Date: January 12, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Petit Forestier says it continues to see clear operational efficiencies since switching to AssetGo in April 2025. The company, founded in 1907, is recognised as Europe’s leading specialist in refrigerated vehicle, container and display-unit rental with operations spanning more than 20 countries.

Since adopting AssetGo, Petit Forestier has brought a significant number of its 4,233 assets and 141 users onto the system. The team predominantly uses the software for maintenance and digital checklists, with 35 currently being used across the fleet. The move away from paper has been a key part of the company’s wider digital-transformation plan.

“We chose AssetGo because of its great reputation and approachable team,” says Darren Cotterill, Fleet Engineer at Petit Forestier. “We were looking for a system that could handle maintenance and checklists predominantly but also give us a digital backbone we could build on.”

He adds that onboarding was “seamless”, and AssetGo worked closely with the Petit Forestier team to ensure every member of staff understood how to use the system effectively. “The ongoing support is also very good. The guys in the office are fantastic and always quick to sort any issues.”

Darren adds that the benefits have been significant. “Using AssetGo gives us complete, real-time control over most of our assets. Moving from paper to digital saves us a huge amount of administration time. Data checking and retrieval are faster and more accurate, and compliance, including meeting DVSA expectations, has become far easier. We’ve also seen downtime reductions because we can track maintenance proactively.”

He believes the return on investment came quickly. “The system probably paid for itself within the first year through digital administration savings, faster processes and accurate data retrieval.

Petit Forestier operates a demanding 24/7/365 refrigerated-transport and rental-service and, says the company, with AssetGo’s maintenance workflow and digital checklist tools, the company now has a centralised platform that supports its high-intensity business.

The company is also exploring further AssetGo modules. “We are currently looking at options to add more tools as we continue to develop the system across the fleet,” Darren Cotterill says.

Beyond maintenance and checklists, AssetGo provides a full suite of fleet-management modules. These include asset tracking, compliance reminders, digital inspections, work-order scheduling, parts and inventory management, and custom reporting dashboards. The tools are designed to give operators greater efficiency, visibility and control across complex or multi-site fleets.

Petit Forestier today serves more than 15,000 customers worldwide and operates one of the largest refrigerated fleets globally. The company continues to invest in sustainable cold-chain transport solutions, including energy-efficient technologies and alternative-energy vehicles.

Three Group Solutions completes private 5G network to power next generation smart port operations

Date: January 13, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Three Group Solutions has completed the deployment of a private 5G network across Hutchison Ports’ UK operations at the Port of Felixstowe, Harwich International Port and London Thamesport, creating one of the most advanced industrial connectivity platforms in the country.

The new network provides ultra reliable, high capacity and low latency connectivity to support large scale automation, including autonomous trucks, remote controlled cranes and data rich applications that are central to the ports’ digital transformation plans.

Port of Felixstowe is the UK’s largest and busiest container port, with Harwich International and London Thamesport forming part of the same operational hub under Hutchison Ports. By delivering a single private 5G network that spans all three sites, Three Group Solutions is strengthening the resilience and performance of this critical national infrastructure while helping Hutchison Ports increase efficiency, enhance safety and support long term sustainability objectives.

Upgrading mission critical communications in a live port environment required a carefully staged migration. Three Group Solutions designed and built the new 5G network in parallel with the existing 4G system, using different blocks of radio spectrum so that both networks could operate side by side without interference. This allowed vehicles and machinery to be moved across in controlled phases, with performance monitored and optimised at each step.

Graham Wilde, Head of Private Networks at Three Group Solutions, said:

“When you are dealing with the connectivity that keeps the country’s largest container port moving, you cannot simply turn one network off and another on. By running the 4G and 5G systems in parallel and moving assets in stages, we were able to deliver a smooth transition with no disruption to daily operations.”

A key driver for the upgrade is Hutchison Ports’ major roll-out plan to introduce autonomous, electric trucks at the Port of Felixstowe, replacing a significant proportion of the existing diesel fleet. These vehicles demand continuous connectivity, very low latency for safe remote intervention, and the bandwidth to support multiple live video feeds when operators need to inspect a situation in detail.

The previous 4G system, while extremely reliable for delivering work instructions to tablets in vehicle cabs, was never designed to handle these demands at scale. The private 5G network from Three Group Solutions provides the performance and predictability required for the next generation of autonomous operations.

“Automation in ports is not about putting people out of work. It is about changing the jobs people do,” added Wilde. “Roles become safer, more varied and more attractive, which makes it easier to recruit and retain the talent ports need for the future.”

Working with a small number of specialist technology partners, Three Group Solutions has delivered a resilient, scalable 5G architecture with dual cores, overlapping radio coverage and diverse links between the three ports. The network sits wholly within Hutchison Ports’ existing cybersecurity perimeter and is engineered to maintain operations even if individual sites or towers are taken offline for maintenance or in the event of a fault.

While autonomous horizontal transport is the first major application, the private 5G platform has been designed to support a wide range of future use cases. These could include extending remote control to more types of machinery, including cranes, deploying sensors for predictive maintenance, using drones for inspection and environmental monitoring, or integrating video analytics and real time data into digital twins of port operations.

Wilde commented, “The capability of the new network means that possibilities for the future are only really limited by the imagination of what could be done.

“Felixstowe, Harwich and Thamesport now have a dedicated 5G foundation for the next decade of innovation.

“This project shows how private 5G, delivered and managed by Three Group Solutions, can combine resilience, performance and flexibility at industrial scale, and we look forward to helping Hutchison Ports build on this success in the UK and beyond.”

SEGRO secures new lease agreement with DP World

Date: January 14, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

SEGRO has signed an agreement with DP World to lease a new 220,000 sq ft industrial and distribution warehouse building at SEGRO Park Coventry

The agreement delivers a significant expansion of DP World’s operations at SEGRO Park Coventry. The company already occupies 600,000 sq ft of workspace – its largest warehouse in the UK which opened in 2024 – as a key regional storage and distribution hub. 

With an EPC A and BREEAM Excellent rating, the speculatively-built facility incorporates leading edge sustainability credentials, including photovoltaic panels, electric car charging points, LED lighting and solar thermal water heating.

SEGRO is now providing a fit-out of the building to meet DP World’s specifications, ahead of the business taking full occupation in Spring 2026.

Dan Holford, Head of National Markets at SEGRO, commented:

“We have worked closely with DP World to provide a facility which accommodates and supports its ambitious expansion plans here in the UK.  It is always pleasing when an existing customer chooses to grow its business with us and this commitment reflects both the quality of the location and workspace at SEGRO Park Coventry.”

Tom Parker, Real Estate Director, DP World said:

“Leasing this 220,000 sq ft industrial building in Coventry marks another important step in strengthening DP World’s UK logistics network. Expanding our footprint at SEGRO Park Coventry allows us to operate from a high-quality Grade A, multi-user facility that supports our growth ambitions and enhances service for our customers. We are pleased to continue our long-standing relationship with SEGRO, whose portfolio and commitment to high-specification industrial space aligns closely with our operational requirements.”

The lease agreement means that one speculatively-built 140,000 sq unit remains available for immediate occupation, along with up to 2.4 million sq ft of pre-let, build-to-suit opportunities. 

Once fully occupied, SEGRO Park Coventry is expected to employ around 5,000 people. In the Autumn, the development celebrated a success with 56% of the existing occupiers’ employees commuting sustainably via walking, cycling, public transport, or car sharing. This is almost triple the original target of 20% set for the first year of operation.

cargo-partner enhances UK–Poland road service to meet growing demand

Date: January 14, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

As trade between the United Kingdom and Central Europe continues to accelerate, cargo-partner is reinforcing its long-established UK–Poland Road Service to meet rising customer demand for reliable, transparent and cost-efficient cross-border logistics.

Having operated the route for many years, cargo-partner is now spotlighting the service’s enhanced stability, speed and capacity as UK manufacturers, automotive suppliers and e-commerce businesses increasingly rely on dependable European transport networks.

The enhanced focus on the route reflects key market dynamics, including the growth of nearshoring, the stabilisation of post-Brexit trade processes, and increasing demand for trusted cross-border capacity

With regular line-hauls connecting cargo-partner’s Basildon hub in the UK to its logistics centres in Poznań and Brwinów in Poland, the service offers fixed transit times of 3-4 days for FTL/LTL and 4-5 days for groupage shipments. The route has become a cornerstone for companies seeking predictable, frictionless transport flows between the two countries.

“While this service is not new, its importance to our customers has never been greater. The UK-Poland corridor is essential for industries with complex supply chains and fast-changing market demands,” said Simon Alexander, Regional Product Manager Road Transport Western Europe.

“Our long-standing presence on this trade lane allows us to offer a reliable, cost-efficient and fully transparent solution. From customs and documentation to transit times and last-mile delivery, our customers know they can count on us to keep their goods moving.”

cargo-partner’s integrated road logistics offering now provides customers with:

• Flexible FTL, LTL and groupage solutions
• ECONOMY, PRIORITY and EMERGENCY service levels
• Dedicated cross-dock handling in Basildon, Poznań and Brwinów
• Comprehensive customs management and consulting
• Safe handling of oversized, heavy, DG and temperature-controlled cargo
• Timely shipment status updates at every key stage of the journey

By strengthening efficiency and transparency across the entire UK–Poland transport chain, cargo-partner delivers a smooth, end-to-end solution for customers navigating increasingly complex supply chains.

“Game-changing” customs partnership for Irish wood panel manufacturer

Date: January 14, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Agreement will maintain seamless supply chain standards and process more than 10,000 customs declarations per year

A renowned Irish sustainable wood panel manufacturer has announced a “game-changing” partnership with Europe’s leading customs clearance experts to process more than 10,000 declarations per year.

Medite SmartPly says its collaboration with Customs Support Group (CSG) will “revolutionise” its supply chain operations by boosting throughput and establishing a new benchmark for speed and accuracy.

Medite SmartPly is a subsidiary of Coillte, Ireland’s state-owned forestry company, and produces sustainable MDF and OSB panels from its manufacturing hubs in Clonmel and Waterford, close to Ireland’s major ports.

However, it needed a seamless customs clearance operation to take advantage of its strategic location and service its key export markets, most notably the United Kingdom post-Brexit.

To address this, CSG has utilised its advanced AI capabilities to create an interface which integrates Medite SmartPly’s enterprise resource planning (ERP) system with its customs system.

This blend of automation and human oversight extracts daily shipping data from logistics providers and inputs it into the ERP system, before CSG’s Customs EDI system creates, checks and validates declarations before submission.

The system also facilitates automated communication with hauliers, allowing Medite SmartPly to maintain its high-speed supply chain.

Jerry Anglim, Supply Chain Business Development Director at Medite SmartPly, said:

“Partnering with CSG allows us to deliver products seamlessly and confidently, knowing every customs procedure is handled professionally.

“Medite SmartPly’s logistics model is built on precision, with tight schedules for truck arrivals around port access windows. Any delay in customs clearance presents a significant risk to our operation.

“The rapid turnaround offered by CSG has become a cornerstone of Medite SmartPly’s decision to partner with them.”

Charlie Dawson, Business Development Manager at Customs Support Group Ireland, said:

“Businesses looking to improve their customs landscape need to understand that speed alone isn’t enough.

“It’s not just about being fast, but also about being razor-sharp on regulations. Right now, we’re navigating a minefield of shifting rules, suspended checks and evolving standards. ICS2 Release 3 is live, CBAM reforms are underway, and UKIMS still has grey areas around at-risk goods.”

“Add to that the EU’s steel tariff hikes, the US trade deal implications and possible delays with the EU Digital Regulation (EUDR), and it’s a lot to stay ahead of – and that’s just on the regulatory side,” added Jocelyn Burke, Compliance Manager at Customs Support Group Ireland.

“Trading conditions are equally volatile, as labour shortages, ESG pressures and the ongoing housing crisis are all squeezing supply chains. My job is to ensure that every declaration we touch is not only fast but future-proof. That’s what makes our partnership with Medite SmartPly work – we’re not just reacting, we’re anticipating.”

RTX Northern Ireland set to make its debut this spring

Date: January 14, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

RTX Northern Ireland is set to make a strong debut this spring, establishing itself as a must-attend event for HGV fleet operators across the region. Taking place on 15–16 April 2026 at the Eikon Exhibition Centre, Lisburn, the brand-new business tradeshow will bring together the very best of the road transport industry across extensive indoor and outdoor exhibition spaces.

With an “all about the truck” focus, RTX Northern Ireland is designed to be a one-stop shop for everything fleet-related. A growing number of leading vehicle manufacturers and suppliers have already confirmed their attendance, highlighting the strong industry support behind the inaugural event.

Major OEMs confirmed include DAF, Fruehauf, Mercedes-Benz, MAN, Renault Trucks, Thermo King, Thompsons UK and Volvo, all of whom will showcase a selection of their latest vehicles, trailers and innovations.

In addition, fleet operators will have the opportunity to explore the latest in technology, tyres and equipment from a wide range of industry suppliers and dealerships. Exhibitors already signed up include Assured Performance Ireland, Brigade Electronics, Fastview360, Flowtech Ireland, Granco Trucks and Hankook Tyres, with many more expected to join in the coming weeks.

Alongside the exhibition, visitors can benefit from the Knowledge Zone, a two-day programme of expert-led sessions covering the issues that matter most to HGV operators. Topics will include compliance, skills and driver shortages, road safety and decarbonisation, providing valuable insight and practical guidance for fleet decision-makers.

For those keen to get hands-on, the Ride & Drive Experience will offer visitors the chance to test drive a selection of the newest vehicles on site (appropriate licence required).

Designed specifically with HGV fleet operators in mind, RTX Northern Ireland also provides a relaxed environment for informal networking, enabling attendees to connect with industry peers and build valuable new business relationships.

The event is organised by the team behind the established Road Transport Expo, held each summer in Warwickshire, England, and RTX Scotland, which launched successfully in Glasgow last year. The RTX portfolio will continue to expand with the launch of RTX Ireland in Dublin in 2027.

“We are very much looking forward to bringing the popular RTX format to Northern Ireland this spring and have been delighted with the industry support we’ve received,” said Vic Bunby, Show Director of RTX Northern Ireland.

“As with all our RTX events, the show will provide an excellent mix of quality exhibitors, knowledgeable conference sessions and a relaxed networking environment.”

Sizewell C’s logistics partners

Date: January 16, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Following Sizewell C’s appointment of Wilson James as Lead Logistics Partner (LLP), Wilson James has confirmed its key Supplier Partners: Metro Supply Chain, Squarcle, and Swain Group.

Carefully selected for their specialist capabilities, the Partners will support the delivery of a safe, efficient, and compliant logistics operation for one of the UK’s most significant clean energy and infrastructure projects, helping to set a benchmark for future major programmes.

Wilson James brings proven expertise operating in complex, highly regulated environments such as Hinkley Point C, the UK’s first new nuclear power station in a generation. This experience will be central to ensuring Sizewell C’s logistics programme is delivered safely, reliably, and with thorough consideration for local communities and the environment.

Together, the supplier partnership brings complementary expertise through technology-enabled logistics, large-scale warehousing, planning, transport, and distribution, underpinned by Wilson James’ digital Control Tower capability, providing real-time visibility, coordination, and data-led decision-making across the supply chain.

Tony Palombo, Managing Director – Infrastructure, Wilson James, said:

“Delivering logistics for a programme of this scale demands robust, symbiotic partnerships. By selecting Squarcle, Metro Supply Chain, and Swain Group, we are building a best-in-class line-up that combines deep operational experience and expertise, digital innovation, and a strong on-the-ground presence. Together, we will help Sizewell C deliver safely and responsibly, while creating meaningful opportunities for people and businesses across the region.”

Supplier Partner, Swain Group will play a key role in transport delivery, bringing a diverse fleet and multiple locations, alongside extensive experience supporting large-scale infrastructure and construction sector programmes.

Matthew Deer, Group Managing Director, Swain Group, added:

“Swain Group’s national fleet looks forward to working in partnership with Wilson James and the supplier partners to achieve effective, compliant delivery solutions into Orwell Logistics Park and the Sizewell C construction area; developing our existing operational footprint within East Anglia to support local employment for now and long into the future.”

In addition, Supplier Partner, Metro Supply Chain will bring international scale and technology-enabled logistics capability to support dependable execution and proactive planning.

Stuart Ager, Vice-President and Managing Director UK, Metro Supply Chain, commented:

“Metro Supply Chain is proud to have been selected to partner with Wilson James on the Sizewell C project. As a leading third-party logistics provider in Canada, with a strong presence in the UK, Europe, and the United States, we bring extensive expertise in assisting global organisations to navigate complex challenges with confidence.”

Building on a proven partnership with Wilson James at Hinkley Point C and experience delivering logistics control tower architectures, Squarcle will deploy the Wilson James Control Tower to digitise end-to-end logistics partner processes, integrating Sizewell C’s operational data and applying advanced analytics to strengthen decision-making, improve forecast accuracy, and proactively mitigate logistics risk.

Gavin Emmerson, CEO and Founder, Squarcle, added:

“Digital Logistics planning, execution and data integration will be key differentiators for Sizewell C LLP. Squarcle is proud to be the Wilson James supplier delivering Sizewell C’s integrated logistics information systems and data science capabilities.”

The three Supplier Partners will support Wilson James’ commitment to working alongside Sizewell C and other local stakeholders including College on the Coast, to help build clear pathways into logistics, digital, and infrastructure careers, supporting long-term skills development and employment across Suffolk and the wider region.

Nigel Cann, CEO, Sizewell C, commented:

“We’ve committed to spend at least £4.4bn in the East of England during the construction of our project, and this recent contract reaffirms that pledge. Appointing Wilson James as our Lead Logistics Partner is a key milestone for Sizewell C. Their local roots, nuclear experience and commitment to sustainable operations make them an ideal partner. Together, we will create high-quality jobs, open new pathways into STEM careers and ensure the benefits of Sizewell C are felt across the region for decades to come.”

Sustainability is central to Wilson James’ approach, focussing on consolidated deliveries, efficient routing, and digital planning tools to reduce road miles, cut carbon emissions and support Sizewell C’s wider environmental commitments.

Gary Sullivan, Chairman and Co-Founder, Wilson James, added:

“We believe in sustainable partnerships with best-in-class organisations such as Sizewell C and our Supplier Partners. By combining our nuclear experience with Sizewell C’s long-term vision for low-carbon energy, we can build something that positively delivers for the East of England and across the UK.”

Sizewell C is one of the biggest clean energy projects in Britain. Once complete, it will provide low-carbon electricity to six million homes for at least 60 years and save nine million tonnes of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere annually.

Swissport partners up with SGL: Launches its first perishables centre in the UK

Date: January 17, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

Swissport, the world’s leading aviation services provider, has launched its first dedicated perishables centre in the United Kingdom at London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The new facility strengthens the company’s global cool-chain network and supports growing demand for fresh Atlantic salmon. Scan Global Logistics is the first customer to operate from the site.

The purpose-built facility, acquired by Swissport in November 2024 to expand perishables handling capacity in the UK, is now operating with Scan Global Logistics as the first partner to establish the dedicated perishables presence on site. Together, the two companies are strengthening capacity, predictability, and handling quality for time- and temperature-sensitive goods, including seafood, fresh produce, and other critical perishables.

“Producers of temperature-sensitive goods depend on predictable capacity and controlled handling, especially as volumes continue to rise,” says Steen Søgaard, RCEO North Europe at Scan Global Logistics. “This setup provides a stable platform that supports both daily operations and long-term growth. Swissport’s global cool-chain expertise and operational scale make them a strong partner for the UK market.”

The new setup responds to growing demand across Northern Europe and beyond, where exporters require stable uplift windows, fast processing, and consistent cold-chain performance.

“Launching our first dedicated perishables centre in the UK and our partnership with Scan Global Logistics marks a significant milestone for Swissport.” says Joe Bellfield, Swissport Chief Operating Officer Cargo UK&I.

“Heathrow is a critical gateway for global seafood flows, and perishables require absolute precision. By bringing our proven cool-chain processes, specialised infrastructure and trained teams to Heathrow Airport, we are strengthening the reliability and predictability that exporters depend on.”

The Heathrow facility features temperature-controlled handling areas, operates 24/7, and is purpose-built to meet the stringent requirements of fresh seafood logistics. Covering approximately 2,694 m², the centre is designed to handle up to 30,000 tonnes of perishables per year.

The site also includes a dedicated Border Inspection Post (BIP), enabling immediate airside inspection and clearance of imported goods. This capability supports faster release times, reduces dwell periods and helps protect product integrity for time- and temperature-sensitive shipments.

As part of the ongoing investment in the facility Swissport will install an EMIS machine in Q1 2026. It is an automated screening solution that allows dense, palletised seafood shipments to be screened without breakdown. Processing fully built units in a single pass, the system reduces handling steps, shortens queue times and ensures a more predictable, consistent flow. For exporters, this means faster processing, improved schedule reliability, and better protection of product quality during peak periods, while fully meeting EU security requirements.

“With this technology, we can move perishables through Heathrow more efficiently and with far greater predictability,” says Colin Wells, Global Head of Perishables at Scan Global Logistics.

“It improves processing times while maintaining the highest standards of quality and freshness and creates a unique and highly reliable solution for which is a high market demand.”

London Heathrow plays a central role in the global seafood supply chain, with an estimated 200,000 tonnes of salmon transiting the airport each year, including Scottish production. As direct uplift from origin becomes increasingly constrained, specialised hub operations with predictable throughput are becoming essential for exporters across Norway, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and the UK.

Farmed Atlantic salmon remains one of the world’s fastest-growing protein categories. Europe and the Americas each consume around 35-40% of global volumes, while industry analysts, including Kontali, project production growth of 15-25% between 2025 and 2030. These trends are driving higher volumes through major hub airports and increasing the need for robust, temperature-controlled handling solutions.

The three-year alliance between Swissport and Scan Global Logistics supports this growth by providing exporters with reliable capacity, controlled handling, and faster processing at one of the world’s most important air cargo hubs.

The Heathrow perishables centre becomes part of Swissport’s global network of specialised cargo hubs for temperature-sensitive and time-critical goods, including seafood, fresh produce and pharmaceuticals. Swissport operates 117 cargo centres worldwide, handling around 5 million tonnes of freight annually.

For Scan Global Logistics, the setup strengthens its growing perishables footprint with dedicated infrastructure and enhanced control over seafood flows into and out of the market. For more than 50 years Scan Global Logistics have delivered goods worldwide and handled temperature goods.

Together, the two companies are delivering a more predictable, resilient, and quality-driven solution for global perishables logistics with the new distribution hub – keeping freshness intact from origin to destination.

Major industrial projects face “collapse” from new waterways waste tax, warn port and river authorities

Date: January 18, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

An incoming tax imposed on the decontamination of ports, rivers and canals will have “grave consequences for investment” and ruin developments needed for economic growth, ministers have been warned.

From April next year, the Treasury plans to remove a key exemption that supports the use of stabilisers in the safe disposal of contaminated sediment known as dredgings, which is vital to the management and development of water-based areas. The British Ports Association, whose members own and operate more than 400 ports, terminals and facilities, fears the tax could add tens of millions of pounds to major projects, making them impossible to fund.

In a letter to Dan Tomlinson, the Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, BPA Chief Executive Richard Ballantyne wrote:

“Alongside our partners in the rivers, canals and waste management sectors, including renewable Energy from Waste and Biomass plants, we are writing to express our alarm at imminent changes to a landfill tax exemption that will have a minimal impact on the Exchequer but will have grave consequences for investment in several important ports…

“The consequences of this decision will badly damage the Government’s commitment to boosting growth, economic stability and its mission-led focus on infrastructure. The problems include, but are not limited to, the collapse of major industrial and development projects, particularly in ports, rivers and canals… delaying net zero as green energy and industrial projects in port areas become unviable.”

The letter also warns that “tens of thousands of jobs” could be lost in the North-east, which has been earmarked for industrial growth, particularly in the advanced manufacturing and renewables sectors located in port regions.

Signatories to the letter include:

• The Canal & River Trust, which looks after 2,000 miles of canals and rivers across England and Wales
• Forth Ports Group, which comprises eight ports in Scotland and England
• Land & Water, the UK’s largest inland dredging and environmental marine contractor
• Augean, which operates 22 waste services sites across the UK
• Rothen Group, leading waterway engineering and maintenance experts
• MVV Environmental, which operates four Energy from Waste and Biomass facilities in the UK
• Ebsford Environmental, leading river restoration and flood management group

Speaking this weekend, Richard Ballantyne added:

“This change to landfill tax, which was buried alongside the Budget, seriously undermines the Government’s growth plans. Major port and waterways projects are planned, but they will have to be delayed, scrapped or reviewed because of the additional financial burden. Ministers need to act fast and ditch this tax before it damages their plans for growth and building the renewable energy industry in port regions.”

VTG delivers first new build iWagons for Breedon

Date: January 19, 2026 By admin Categories: Uncategorized No comments

VTG Rail UK has achieved a major commercial and operational milestone with the arrival and entry into service of the first new build iWagons in the UK, delivered for VTG’s long-standing customer Breedon Group Plc.

This marks the first time new-build wagons featuring VTG’s market-leading iWagon technology have entered operational service in the UK since the system’s introduction in spring 2024.

The initial batch of 18 JPA powder tank wagons was delivered to Breedon’s Hope Cement Works in Derbyshire and entered service on 14 January 2026. These wagons are part of a wider order for 62 new-build JPA wagons fitted with iWagon technology, placed by Breedon in November 2024.

Built by Feldbinder at its Wittenberg facility in Germany, the wagons arrived in the UK in early January via the Channel Tunnel before being moved onward to Hope Cement Works for final inspection and handover. This journey marked the first movement of new build iWagons onto the UK rail network.

The remaining 44 iWagons on order will be progressively introduced across Breedon’s core rail network routes in similar batches over the next 12 months, further strengthening the company’s ability to support critical construction and infrastructure projects across the UK. The new wagons will replace existing assets.

The wagons are purpose-built for the bulk transportation of cement and are equipped with the Knorr-Bremse FreightControl Sentinel system, which forms the technological backbone of VTG’s iWagon platform. By integrating wheelset flat protection, advanced sensors, real-time data analytics, and automation, iWagon delivers enhanced asset visibility, enabling Breedon to further streamline its logistics operations while improving safety, efficiency, and sustainability across its supply chain.

Nigel Day, Business Improvement Director at VTG Rail UK, said:

“Bringing the first new build iWagons into service in the UK for Breedon is a major step forward for digital rail freight. The combination of purpose-built wagons and iWagon technology gives our customers greater visibility of asset condition and performance, enabling smarter maintenance and more efficient operations from day one. We’re proud to see these wagons now supporting Breedon’s operations on the UK network.”

Ian Smith, Managing Director for Cement & Building Products at Breedon, said:

“This is an important step forward for our business, and it’s great to see the first 18 iWagons now in service at Hope. We’re looking forward to introducing the remaining 44 across our network over the next 12 months.

“The new fleet will strengthen our ability to support vital construction and infrastructure projects across Great Britain, allowing us to deliver at scale with reliability and efficiency for our customers.

“We selected the Feldbinder JPA wagons fitted with VTG’s iWagon system for the visibility, efficiency and safety the technology provides – supporting our priority to keep our people and partners safe while maintaining dependable service. We’ve worked with VTG since 2016, and this investment underlines our long-term partnership as we operate this new generation of fleet together in the years ahead.”

The delivery marks an important milestone not only for VTG and Breedon, but also for the wider UK rail freight sector, demonstrating the transition from pilot and retrofit activity to fully integrated, new-build digital rolling stock.

This order builds on the successful deployment of 51 retrofit iWagons already in operation across VTG’s UK customer fleets, where the technology is delivering measurable safety benefits and operational value in day-to-day service.

Marc Hurn, Managing Director of VTG Rail UK, added:

“The introduction of the first new build iWagons into service reinforces the strong commercial and environmental case for rail freight. Transporting bulk materials by rail removes thousands of HGV journeys from the UK’s congested road network and generates around 50% less CO₂ per tonne-mile than road haulage, while also contributing to quieter roads, improved air quality, and safer communities.”