>> BoxTradeIntelligence has released an analysis of Asia-Europe Westbound trade lane.  It is available here .

>> MDS Transmodal's presentation to Intermodal Europe 2011 conference in Hamburg is available for download.

>> MDS Transmodal's presentation on Port Infrastructure Development to RenewableUK 2011 conference in London is available for download. 

>> The 2011 competition for funding for international sustainable distribution services from the European Commission's Marco Polo Programme has now started and the deadline for submissions is 16 January 2012.   For a description of the main changes to the Programme this year and how MDS Transmodal can help you to develop a successful application, please see the attached White Paper

>> Longer lorries.  On the 30th March, the Department for Transport (DfT) published a consultation on a proposal to allow a 2.05m increase in the length of semi-trailers and a maximum overall length for articulated HGVs of 18.75m.  Read more

>> The UK Government's Comprehensive Spending Review has been very significant for the transport market.  MDS Transmodal produced freight traffic forecasts for the Freight Transport Association's submission.

For FTA's submission click here.

The current and forecast road and rail traffic maps are our work.

>> South America Trade Briefing The third in the series of trade briefings from MDS Transmodal - the South America Trade Briefing -presents analysis of containerised trade data to 4Q 2009 and forecasts for the next two years using the MDS Transmodal World Cargo Database.

>> North America Trade Briefing The second in the series of trade briefings from MDS Transmodal - the North America Trade Briefing -presents analysis of containerised trade data to 4Q 2009 and forecasts for the next two years using the MDS Transmodal World Cargo Database.

>> China Trade Briefing 2010  The latest China Trade Briefing report from MDS Transmodal highlights key trends in China's containerised import and export trades with near term quarterly predictions for 2010 and 2011.  Although the last 18 months have seen the container markets fall in spectacular fashion, still the words "double-digit growth" have not left the shipping industry's parlance as far as China is concerned.  The China Trade Briefing report shows why.  As well as looking at broad trends in imports and exports the report provides specific details on China's container trades with trading partners and particular commodity groups, drilling down to SITC 5 digit level in some cases.

>> Consolidated UK International Passenger database, available for 2010, describing passenger volumes by mode, route, origin/destination, journey purpose, length of stay and purpose, compatible with IPS, ferry operator and CAA sources. More...Italiano...

 

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Longer Semi-trailers - DfT consultation

Proposal

On the 30th March, the Department for Transport (DfT) published a consultation on a proposal to allow a 2.05m increase in the length of semi-trailers and a maximum overall length for articulated HGVs of 18.75m. The current maximum permitted length of an articulated HGV is 16.5m, and the maximum length of semi-trailer compatible with that overall limit is 13.6m.  The existing weight limit of 44 tonnes would remain in force.  The proposal, if adopted, would consequently bring an articulated HGV broadly in-line with a rigid/draw-bar trailer combination (in terms of total vehicle length and the load-platform length).  Providing an additional 2.05m to the length of a semi-trailer would allow an additional two rows of standard pallets to be conveyed per trip.

Independent research findings

The proposal is based on the findings of an independent study conducted for the DfT by a group of consultants which included MDS Transmodal.  The study was managed by WSP with Transport Research Laboratory providing vehicle engineering expertise.  MDS Transmodal undertook the economic impact assessment together with gathering evidence from the logistics industry and providing overall freight expertise.

Reduction in overall HGV trips and associated savings

Evidence gathered from the logistics industry suggests that the greater payload capacity provided by a 2.05m length increase would result in an average 13% reduction in HGV trips from factories and distribution centres.  Findings from the study suggest that the direct financial benefits to the logistics industry are likely be in the region of £2 to £5 billion (NPV) up to 2025 (central estimate), depending on which type of semi-trailer steering system is specified by the DfT and whether intermodal rail operators also adopt longer units of a similar length.  Wider environmental benefits, principally resulting from fewer HGV trips (reduction in congestion, accidents, pollution, CO2 emissions etc.), were estimated to be in the region of £0.3 to £2 billion (NPV) to 2025 (central estimate).  Overall, the total economic benefits (industry and environmental benefits combined) net of indirect taxation are forecast to be in the range £2 to £6.5 billion (NPV).

Reports

Depending on the outcome of the consultation, the Government will consider permitting the operation of high-volume semi-trailers on a trial basis pending the introduction of the necessary changes to current Regulations.  The consultation runs until 21st June 2011.

The summary report prepared for the DfT, which outlines the main project findings, can be downloaded here.  The economic analysis and evidence gathering reports prepared by MDS Transmodal, which detail the research and analysis undertaken and support the findings outlined in the summary report, can also be downloaded by using the following links. 

Longer semi-trailer feasibility study and impact assessment

Final summary report

D4 evidence gathering

D4 evidence gathering - appendix a

D4 evidence gathering - appendix b

D5 economic assessment

D5 economic assessment - annex

To view the DfT consultation papers click here