OIA Global has announced the acquisition of Sandford Freight, strengthening its commitment to enhancing its market position and providing comprehensive supply chain management solutions worldwide. The acquisition expands OIA Global’s European network to include Ireland, a key market for the global industry verticals supported by OIA, while enhancing its reach to 27 countries with over 50 owned offices worldwide. The integration of Sandford Freight unites two organizations with the shared value of delivering peace of mind to customers. “This strategic acquisition enhances our competitive streng ..read more

Cork and Dublin Ports will receive multi-million euro grants in EU funding for sustainable, safe and smart transport infrastructure. The grants come from the EU’s Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) which is the EU’s programme for strategic investment in infrastructure. The European Commission has selected 134 transport projects to receive over €7 billion in EU grants and this represents the largest call under the current CEF Transport programme. Ireland will receive €57.5 million in funding for 5 projects, 2 of them at the Cork and Dublin ports are national, the other 3 are multi-country EU proj ..read more

Daimler Truck UK has secured the future of its flagship Wentworth Park complex in South Yorkshire, by completing a sale of the land to new owner Culina Asset Management (CAM). Under the terms of the agreement, CAM will occupy the 34-acre site, close to Junction 36 of the M1, and will continue the running of its extensive workshop. Wentworth Park is the home of national programmes for re-marketing and sales of used Mercedes-Benz and FUSO Canter trucks, as well as the brand’s demonstrator fleet. Daimler Truck UK will continue to run these functions with a presence on-site, so services to cust ..read more

According to the RHA UK, transport officials are set to extend a grace period to six months for hauliers operating in London to comply with new Progressive Safe System (PSS) launched on 28 October 2024. Transport for London (TfL) stated that If operators wish to apply for the grace period they will need to provide evidence that they have installation works arranged to fit the PSS but that this is scheduled for after 28 October 2024. This follows intensive RHA UK campaigning to ensure hauliers have clarity and more time to get their fleets ready for the changes. A Richard Smith, RHA Managing D ..read more

In its latest round of vehicle safety ratings, EuroNCAP, the European New Car Assessment Programme, has published scores for Nissan’s new Light Commercial Vehicle (LCV) lineup – Townstar, Primastar and Interstar. Following robust safety tests, the Townstar and Primastar models have earned themselves a Gold rating, achieving an impressive safety assist performance rating of 78% and 69%, respectively. The all-new Interstar – now available to pre-order – scored even higher and has been awarded EuroNCAP’s top Platinum rating with an overall score of 84%. These ratings are testament to Nissan’s ..read more

Road freight operators are spending more on wages, equipment and services. This article, based on the latest IRU Intelligence Briefing, breaks down their investments and costs. Total wages (salaries, bonuses and allowances included) in road freight have risen by approximately 49% over the past decade. This significant increase is a combination of a 27% growth in the number of people working in the sector and a rise in salaries. On average, EU road freight salaries rose by 18% between 2013 (EUR 16,940) and 2021 (EUR 20,130). As expected, salaries vary significantly among EU countries (breakdow ..read more

CONNACHT TRIBUNE – 16 July 2024 There has been a call for Government to fast-track 13 major infrastructure projects across the West and Northwest. The Northern and Western Regional Assembly says the region is now comparable with the least well-off areas in central and southern Europe. It comes as the region is classed as a “transition region” by the EU – the only area of Ireland to hold the designation. The NWRA claims that since 2016, The West and North West received less than 6 percent of investment in infrastructure projects worth more than €20m. And when it comes to projects costing more t ..read more

The new Labour government needs to place urgent emphasis on sorting out post-Brexit border arrangements or see holiday traffic-type queues become a regular occurrence which threaten the UK’s supply chain, according to business group Logistics UK.  With summer holiday traffic expected to build at Channel ports from this weekend, Logistics UK – as the body representing the industry across the UK – is urging Keir Starmer’s government to prioritise sorting the issues which have yet to be solved about moving goods across the UK’s borders. In addition, the group is pressing for urgent action to ..read more

   European funding set to significantly enhance the Port of Cork’s operating capacity EU funding programme, the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) has awarded €38.4 million to Port of Cork Company for the construction of two quay berths at its deepwater site in Ringaskiddy. The Connecting Europe Facility is a key EU funding instrument to promote growth, jobs and competitiveness through targeted infrastructure investment in the fields of transport and energy at European level. The funding positions Port of Cork Company a step closer to realising its potential for offshore renewable ..read more

Truck drivers in the EU can expect a much-needed improvement in rest facilities. The European Commission has announced an additional EUR 60 million funding allocation to build and upgrade secure parking areas. Responding to IRU and industry calls for improved professional driver facilities, the European Commission has announced a new EUR 60 million funding package to develop the network of safe and secure truck parking areas across the EU. This funding, allocated under the 2023 Connecting Europe Facility call, has been awarded to more than ten projects from seven EU countries to build or upgra ..read more