After overcoming the various challenges of 2023,what can the industry look forward to in 2024? As we went to press, it appeared that the return of a power sharing Executive at Stormont was most certainly on the cards, and not before time, so let’s hope an agreement is reached.
Meantime, the race towards zero emissions and electrification in the transport industry continued apace in 2023, and no doubt it will gain further momentum in the year ahead.
Indeed, as we report in this issue, demand for renewable gas in transport from Ireland’s road freight sector is continuing to show strong growth – in October, for the tenth month running, demand for this low carbon alternative to diesel saw another significant year-on-year increase, up 32% on the same month last year.
And we hear from Logistics UK’s Nichola Mallon who, in her regular column, looks forward to Northern Ireland’s 2050 net zero emission deadline. As it draws closer, she reports on how businesses are facing the challenge of maximising operational efficiencies while moving towards decarbonisation.
We also hear from a number of leading truck manufacturers on how they are moving in the right direction. The New Generation DAF XB series had its world premiere at the Solutrans exhibition in; full in the spotlight was the12-tonne XB Electric – Europe’s first 12-tonne electric city distribution truck. Our ‘Net Zero’ section is also packed with more stories on electrification.
IVECO, meanwhile, has unveiled its new Way Range which sees the introduction of new advanced features, greater comfort, and a powerful yet efficient new xCursor 13 engine, while MAN Truck & Bus has received the “Truck Innovation Award 2024” from the International Truck of the Year jury for its research and development projects in the field of autonomous driving.
Changing gear, as 2024 begins, the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland will focus on the safe loading and unloading of vehicles in the haulage and logistics sector as part of its recently launched ‘Drive Danger Out’ workplace transport safety campaign. The focused inspections will continue until March 2024.
Special features in this edition include a look at what’s new in the truck tyre market, together with the latest developments in the materials handling sector, and we turn the spotlight on SFG Forwarding as it continues to grow and expand its business.
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for the Jan-Feb 2024 issue of Export and Freight Magazine.
