SCOTLAND\\\


Intermodal transport operator Malcolm Logistics, a division of The Malcolm Group, launched a 50-foot container at the Multimodal show at the NEC on 30 April. Officially unveiled by HRH the Princess Royal, the new custom-made unit takes advantage of an extended trial of longer truck lengths (15.65 metres) that the Department for Transport is currently running across the UK. Group technical engineer, Allan Campbell explains: “We have two rail terminals in Scotland and we also operate the DIRFT terminal at Daventry in the English Midlands. Up to now, we have been able to put 45-foot containers on trains, but the rail wagons have space for 55 feet, so this uses the capacity much more efficiently on the run between Daventry and Scotland.”


Malcolm Logistics has had 20


special container skeletal chassis built as part of its allocation of over 100 permits for the longer trailers under the DfT trials and it has also built 40 of the new 50-foot containers. Clever design means that they can operate within the same turning circle as the standard-length trailers, but, crucially, they can handle four or eight more pallets than a conventional trailer (30/60 as opposed to 26/52 depending on pallet size). That equates to 13% less carbon emissions. The trailers can be hauled by


a standard tractor unit. The 50’ boxes and trailers have been a


significant investment over


and above the same number of standard units, but the benefits in terms of extra payload are even greater, says Campbell: “Yes, it is worth the extra investment –


absolutely.” The containers and trailers will


only operate domestically within the UK – the trailers are clearly labelled ‘Not for Channel Tunnel use’ as there is no ISO standard for these units. Feedback has been very positive from customers and they have had no problems in accommodating them at their premises, says Campbell. The Malcolm Group is very


keen to see the longer vehicle trials extended.


Although the


trials are only two years into the official eight-year period, “I would like to think that the Government might make a decision on normalising the longer units,” says Campbell. Much depends on politics and the stance of any future Government aſter the election, however. All the 1,800 permits for longer trailers allocated to the


Issue 4 2014 - Freight Business Journal


Malcolm Group goes to great lengths to innovate 27


industry as a whole have been taken up and Malcolm Logistics will shortly use up its entire allocation. The company is also keen to see an increase in total maximum weight for the longer trailers. At the moment, they must operate within the normal 44-tonne limit and because the longer trailers and containers weigh more, total payload is actually reduced by about a tonne. For volumetric cargo, this may not matter but it is an issue for denser commodities. Meanwhile, DB Schenker Rail UK has won a major new three- year contract with Malcolm Logistics for intermodal trains between Daventry and Mossend Euroterminal. DB Schenker Rail UK says it


won the contract from the long- term incumbent, DRS, by devising a schedule that enables a single


train to complete the round trip in just 24 hours. Previously, two trains had to be used on the route, one in each direction, to maintain the delivery schedule demanded by the contract. DB Schenker is also using electric traction to reduce journey times. The rail ,operator got the


service running within four weeks of winning the contract. Malcolm Group chief


executive, Andrew Malcolm, said: “Malcolm Logistics have been involved in rail for 13 years as part of our wider logistics offering throughout the UK. DB Schenker Rail UK gained our business based upon competitive pricing, performance commitments and an ability to meet our growing demand for rail logistics through innovative solutions and a fresh approach to customer relations.”


Let the games deliveries begin Goodbye Sochi, next stop Glasgow


The Freight Transport Association says that it is now optimistic that a workable plan for deliveries during the Glasgow Commonwealth Games can be put in place, aſter earlier worries about a lack of information. The Games Route Network


(GRN) and affected postcodes, Local Area Traffic Management and Parking Plans and the Delivering to Venues Guide have all been made available.


FTA held a ‘Managing deliveries and servicing during the Commonwealth Games 2014’ conference on 13 May. It has though taken months


of pushing to get the required information, says Chris MacRae, FTA’s head of policy for Scotland, who adds: “The freight and logistics industry needs to plan ahead of such events to help ensure continuity of deliveries, servicing to existing customers


and to prepare for the additional freight


requirements that the


Games will bring.” He added: “The freight and


logistics industry will play a huge part in helping to deliver essential food, drink and supplies not only to the Games venues themselves but also to the residents and businesses of the city and in order to do so, it has been vital for freight and logistics operators to prepare well ahead.”


DSV warehouses for paper firm


Papermaking and specialist coating group Tullis Russell has awarded DSV Road a five year contract to handle all warehousing and logistics requirements for its Glenrothes mill in Scotland. DSV Road is already a key freight forwarding supplier to Tullis Russell, handling many of the company’s shipments to customers in the UK and the rest


of Europe. Tullis Russell previously


used its own warehouse in nearby Southfield but decided to outsource the work following the end of the warehouse lease. Tullis Russell Group CEO


Chris Parr said: “The move was vitally important to us and it was critical that we partnered with the right logistics company. We are


delighted to be working with DSV Road and look forward to working as partners together to deliver real improvements to our logistics operations and ultimately our customer service levels” Tullis Russell is an independent


employee-owned company with three major manufacturing sites, two in the UK and one in South Korea.


The 2014 Winter Games in Sochi may be over and the Glasgow Commonwealth Games not yet begun but German project logistics company Conceptum Sport Logistics (CSL) is being put through its paces. Some 250 tonnes of sports and team equipment were transported to Sochi by CSL and its experts were, at the time of writing, sending some of it on a new journey to Glasgow in time for the Commonwealth Games where, from 23 July, 6,500 athletes from 70 nations will compete in 17 different sports. The Commonwealth Games


date back to 1911, and in its early days featured sporting, military and literary activities although since the inaugural British Empire Games in Canada in 1930, they have been a purely sporting event. In addition to Olympic disciplines, the program also includes sports that are only widely played in the countries of the Commonwealth,


such as badminton, squash, cricket, hockey and lawn bowls. As well as the movements


from Sochi, the Frankfurt-based company is shipping sports goods from numerous other countries to Glasgow. DB Schenker is the official logistics supplier for the Commonwealth Games, which means that Conceptum delivers the equipment to Glasgow and then charges Schenker for the last mile. CSL managing director,


Sebastian Stah, says: “The Games in Russia were an enormous challenge for our team and kept us on our toes for months. But with a vast amount of freight already making its way to Scotland by air and sea as we speak, we haven’t had any time to catch our breath.” As well as bulky heavy items,


and


CSL has also been given the task of


transporting the time keeping devices from Switzerland to Glasgow; these are the most sensitive pieces of equipment needed at the event. CSL describes itself as a


leader in tailor-made transport solutions for sports equipment and other sensitive loads. Its team serves a variety of national Olympic committees as well as national and international sports associations around the world and it has expertise in transporting and handling sports equipment such as bobsleds, boats and much more, along with team transports and accommodation at sports venues. It operates in over 15 countries with more than 150 international freight partners.


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