The UK’s biggest transport and logistics event took place last week (10-12 May) at the NEC in Birmingham. We review some of the highlights from Multimodal 2016 below.
IFL at Multimodal
IFL directors were among the 8,500 visitors attending the three-day event – our 10th year of visiting. You can read our roundup and see our photos from Multimodal’s first day here.
Hot topics and trends in freight and logistics
The seminar programme was busy and many sessions were standing room only. For those on stand or networking, here are the highlights…
Disruptive innovation revolutionises the supply chain: Driverless vehicles, 3D printing, robots operating warehouses and new forms of energy are likely to pose greater challenges to supply chains than ever before. Read full story…
UK faces chronic shortage of warehouse space as e-commerce boom drives demand: The UK is facing a chronic shortage of warehouse capacity as years of under-development combined with growing demand, especially from e-commerce operators, conspire to find occupiers fighting for available space. Read full story…
Collaboration is key for UK air cargo growth: The air cargo community in the UK would be far better at influencing government aviation policy if it collaborated more closely, says Nick Platts, Head of Cargo, Heathrow. Read full story…
SOLAS – no ‘tolerance’ on new container weighing regulations: Despite rumours about ‘tolerance’ regarding the SOLAS container weighing rules coming into effect on 1 July, there is little room for manoeuvre for most shippers. Read full story…
More capacity coming to the UK’s short sea shipping sector – but will it be enough? The big ship craze appears to have spread to the short sea shipping industry serving the UK, after investment in the sector was frozen for the last few years. Read full story…
Do mega vessels benefit shippers or only the shipping lines? Mega vessels might be good business for the shipping lines but they are not necessarily beneficial for shippers, according to Chris Welsh of the Freight Transport Association (FTA). “The mega vessels reduce unit costs for shipping lines but overall supply chain costs are increasing.” Read full story…
