CEVA Logistics, Engie and Sanef, partners in the European Clean Transport Network (ECTN) Alliance, have launched a proof of concept for a low-carbon, long-distance road transportation network.

First announced in March 2023, the ECTN pilot program covers a distance of more than 900km in France between Avignon and Lille, and aims to demonstrate the concept to facilitate the decarbonization of long-distance road freight transportation. The concept would not require specific technological innovations, but rather relies on a network of terminals for low-carbon truck refueling and trailer exchange.

Continue reading CEVA and partners trial clean road transportation network at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

Australia Post is set to scrap daily letter deliveries to help reduce losses, with mail deliveries set to be made every second day to 98% of locations. Parcel deliveries will continue to be made daily.

The reforms were announced by the Federal Government’s Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland MP, and Minister for Finance, Senator Katy Gallagher. The move is designed to help Australia Post boost productivity, increase its focus on parcels, and improve long-term financial sustainability.

Continue reading Australia Post to scrap daily letter deliveries nationally at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

Material handling specialist Dematic has completed the installation of an autonomous mobile robot (AMR) solution for Radial Europe, a business-to-consumer (BTC) e-commerce fulfilment provider and subsidiary of bpostgroup.

The 299 newly installed AMRs move pallets and totes to transfer stations and picking stations at its logistics center in Groningen, Netherlands. With the Dematic solution, Radial has enhanced its warehouse processes and anticipates significantly higher efficiency in order fulfilment. For Dematic, this represents its largest AMR order globally to date.

Continue reading Dematic deploys mobile robots for Radial warehouse in the Netherlands at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

Cargo drone developer Dronamics has signed an interline agreement with international cargo carrier Qatar Airways Cargo. The partnership marks the first interline agreement between an international airline and a cargo drone airline.

The interline agreement enables the extension of the delivery networks of both partners, significantly increasing their reach as well as providing access to areas previously hard to reach by traditional air freight. Through the agreement, Dronamics can offer cargo services from any of its droneports, initially in Greece, to the wider Qatar Airways Cargo network, including destinations such as Singapore, the USA (JFK) and China, including Hong Kong.

Continue reading Dronamics signs interline agreement with Qatar Airways Cargo at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

DHL Parcel UK is rebranding to DHL eCommerce, adopting the global divisional name and better reflecting the company’s core focus. Alongside the launch of the new brand identity, DHL eCommerce is unveiling three new sites to support growth across its regional network.

The openings mark the beginning of a major regional expansion project designed to increase capacity and expedite volume growth, with more sites launching throughout 2024.

Peter Fuller, CEO of DHL eCommerce UK, said, “As our business expands, it demands more substantial, highly automated and comfortable spaces to not only uphold our unwavering commitment to delivering excellent service but also to foster outstanding working environments for our valued team members.

Continue reading DHL Parcel UK becomes DHL eCommerce at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

SRT Group, the parent company of last-mile delivery platform Stuart, is being acquired from Geopost by Munich-based private equity holding company Mutares.

Founded in Paris in 2015, Stuart has experienced rapid growth in on-demand food and grocery delivery. Generating over €400m (US$435m) in revenues in 2022, Stuart’s model has been replicated in over 100 cities across Europe to meet rising consumer demand.

Mutares brings extensive experience strengthening market-leading platforms across industries.

Continue reading Mutares to acquire Stuart from Geopost at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

Lithuanian Post is rebranding its LP Express parcel delivery network for the Latvian and Estonian markets with the new name Unisend.

A network of around 300 Unisend parcel lockers will be operational in Latvia and Estonia by spring 2024. After this expansion, Lithuanian Post will have a network of more than 700 parcel lockers across the three Baltic states (Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia). A total investment of more than €4m (US$4.3m) has been allocated for the expansion.

Continue reading LP Express to become Unisend in Latvia and Estonia at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

The administrators of Volta Trucks have announced the sale of the business and assets to Volta Commercial Vehicles Limited, owned by Luxor Capital Group.

Commercial electric truck manufacturer Volta Trucks Ltd was the UK subsidiary of Swedish parent company, Volta Trucks AB, which filed for bankruptcy in October 2023.

Andrea Jakes, managing director at administrators Alvarez & Marsal, said, “We’re pleased to have safeguarded the future of Volta Trucks by facilitating its acquisition by Volta Commercial Vehicles Ltd.”

At the time of filing for bankruptcy, Volta Trucks cited challenging market conditions following the bankruptcy of its battery supplier Proterra.

Continue reading Volta Trucks sold to Volta Commercial Vehicles at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

UK-based two-person delivery specialist ArrowXL has invested £5m (US$6.3m) in replacing its existing 50-strong fleet with 75 new 7.5-ton customized DAF LF trucks.

The new vehicles have an increased payload, helping to reduce overall CO2 emissions with fewer journeys made. The PACCAR engines provide higher outputs and greater torque, while reducing fuel consumption. They also feature selective catalytic reduction (SCR) technology to meet the Euro 4 and Euro 5 emission standards.

Louise White, national fleet compliance and admin manager at ArrowXL, commented, “The new DAF LF trucks were chosen specifically for their size and fuel efficiency to provide the company with much needed additional capacity to cope with our growing client demand.

Continue reading ArrowXL renews and expands delivery fleet at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

US non-profit advocacy group Keep US Posted has warned that postage rate hikes are contributing to the USPS’s mounting losses, after the company announced a loss of US$6.5bn for the fiscal year 2023.

The USPS board of governors said that the loss had been driven by mail volume declines of more than 9% and a 2% drop in package volumes. The board also announced that it anticipates a US$6.3bn loss next year and noted that the 10-year Delivering for America plan could face changes.

Continue reading Postage rate hikes contributing to USPS losses, warns advocacy group at Parcel and Postal Technology International.