Bulk Distributor Sept/Oct 16 | Page 24

24 BULKDISTRIBUTOR Terminals & Storage September/October 2016 100 cargo owners sign up to campaign to cut haulage miles P eel Ports has announced that it has secured 100 advocates for its Cargo200 initiative and is urging other cargo owners in the North West to add their weight to the campaign. Among the latest names to provide their support are leading TV and internet retailer QVC and Ultimate Pro ducts, which sources and distributes branded consumer goods from 27 countries to more than 450 high-street retailers in the UK. The Real Good Food Company, a diversified food business operating in manufacturing, wholesale, retail, export and food service, has also signed up. The company recently opened a new global headquarters for its food technology and innovation functions in Liverpool, which will also act as its regional hub for the north of England. The initiative was launched last year, with Peel Ports calling for importers and exporters whose goods begin or end their journey in the north of the UK to switch current delivery of ocean freight from south-east ports to the centrally located Port of Liverpool. The initiative aims to cut freight mileage by 200 million miles over the next five years. In addition to achieving significant carbon reduction, the company also estimates that the move could save up to £400 15-17 NOVEMBER 2016 AHOY ROTTERDAM per container in transportation costs by delivering to the heartland of the UK. Diageo, JCB, B&M, Jaguar Land Rover, Matalan, Bentley and Typhoo were among the first 50 customers to respond to the Cargo200 initiative, encouraging the UK freight and logistics industry to deliver a fundamental shift in supply chain and services routes. Now a further 50-plus have added their voices. Peel Ports Group Commercial Director Patrick Walters said: “We’re now past the halfway mark and our campaign to create a sustainable shift in the UK logistics sector continues to gain momentum. What this proves is that there is clear, substantial demand from cargo owners to save costs, congestion and carbon emissions by shipping closer to their markets. Organised by: Follow us on: YOUR PLATFORM IN EUROPE TO MEET THE GLOBAL CONTAINER SHIPPING INDUSTRY Bringing together professionals from the following areas: “The new and expanded services we announced this year demonstrate that shipping lines have confidence in the benefits offered by Liverpool as the UK’s most centrally located national port. The success of the Cargo200 initiative so far provides further evidence of the significant commercial gains to be secured by increasing the frequency and capacity of calls via Liverpool.” Lorna Billinge, Global VP QA (Quality Assurance) and SC (Supply Chain) of QVC, which has its Knowsley distribution centre nine miles from the Port of Liverpool, said: “Our business lives on rapid response to customer demand and shipping through Liverpool provides us with greater predictability and resilience in our supply chain, by avoiding the uncertainty and delays associated with longer road or rail journeys. Reducing land freight mileage also allows us to minimise our carbon footprint. With our operations centre strategically positioned in the North West, increasing our trade via Liverpool is a key part of our strategy to meet increases and changes in customer demand.” Andrew Gossage, Managing Director of Ultimate Products, said: “Our turnover has increased from £50m to £80m in the last two years and we see trade via Liverpool as a key element of how we meet growing demand for the products we distribute. Many of our big-name customers, including supermarkets and department stores, also place a priority on having an environmentally responsible supply chain.” For more information please call +44 (0)20 701 75112 www.intermodal-events.com WWW.BLUEPACK.DK