Kuehne+Nagel, P&O Ferries and Renault Trucks have partnered to transport the first heavy-duty electric truck carrying freight across the English Channel via P&O’s newest hybrid ferry. The vehicle completed its Dover to Calais journey at a Kuehne+Nagel depot in France before returning to the UK.

P&O Ferries’ hybrid vessel

The heavy-duty electric truck crossed the Channel on P&O Ferries’ newest hybrid vessel, P&O Liberté, which produces 40% fewer carbon emissions than conventional ferries on the same route.

Continue reading First Channel crossing by a heavy-duty electric truck made on P&O Ferries’ newest hybrid vessel at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

International shipping and logistics company InXpress has released a study of 120 Gen Z and millennials across the UK, US, South Africa, Australia, Canada, France, Hong Kong, India and the Netherlands. It found that while price remains the top priority in shipping choices, speed of delivery is a close second.

InXpress’s study of Gen Z and millennial purchasing habits also revealed that 33% of Gen Z consumers consider sustainability “very important” when making purchasing decisions, while 25% consider it “important”.

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USPS has provided a pointed response to the Postal Regulatory Commission’s (PRC) recently published Advisory Opinion on the organization’s proposed service standard changes as part of its Delivering for America (DFA) plans, which the commission states have significant problems, especially in rural areas.

Postal service proposal

USPS’s DFA proposal calls for operational changes to create a nationwide network of regional processing distribution centers (RPDCs) and local processing centers (LPCs) that consolidate and reduce transportation lanes among facilities.

Continue reading USPS responds to Postal Regulatory Commission’s dismissal of US$4bn annual savings as “meager” at Parcel and Postal Technology International.

Scania and DHL Group have jointly developed an electric truck with a fuel-powered generator, making it possible to shift to battery-electric road transportation without having to wait for a complete charging network.

The EREV (Extended Range Electric Vehicle) is a 10.5m truck with a maximum weight of 40 metric tons, powered by a 230kW electric engine (295kW peak). Energy is delivered by a 416kWh battery and a 120kW gasoline-powered generator. With the aid of the onboard generator – initially powered by petrol and later by diesel fuel/HVO – the truck’s range extends up to 800km.

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In collaboration with C Space, FedEx has released its annual e-commerce trends report, which reveals that businesses that prioritize convenience, seamless returns and personalized engagement will drive customer loyalty and long-term success.

Convenience and post-purchase experience

According to the report, consumers expect a hassle-free shopping experience from start to finish, with convenience and post-purchase ease emerging as what matters most in 2025. More than 80% of shoppers surveyed prioritize convenience, expecting home delivery (81%), free shipping (76%) and real-time tracking (68%) as table-stakes features.

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DHL Supply Chain has acquired a controlling interest in e-fulfillment solutions company Brandpath, which is part of the PJ Investment Group (PJIG).

Brandpath provides fulfillment capabilities to e-commerce businesses and brands such as Google, ShipBob, Localised, Truly, PRS and Jessops. Peter Jones CBE will continue to chair Brandpath Group, and the management team will continue to lead the business, supported by key members of the DHL management team.

DHL’s growth plan

Acceleration of e-commerce is a key focus area of DHL Group’s ‘Strategy 2030’.

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Marking the 25th anniversary of its Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (95) hub, FedEx has announced that it is investing €30m (US$31m) in the renovation of an existing building to transform it into a dedicated heavyweight- and freight-handling facility.

Expected to be fully operational in 2025, the investment is part of a continued optimization of the FedEx network in response to evolving market trends, and includes improved service quality for businesses shipping heavy shipments intra-Europe and the provision of intercontinental services.

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Federal Express Corporation is to transform its Shanghai International Express and Cargo Hub at Pudong International Airport into an intercontinental transit hub that will expand lanes connecting Shanghai with China’s second- and third-tier cities in various ways, extending the reach of FedEx’s network.

According to the company, the facility will significantly enhance the connectivity between China and global markets through FedEx’s reliable network, and support the growth, efficiency and flexibility of local businesses through its service offerings.

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Parcel service provider GLS has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a 20% stake in the Greek parcel carrier ACS Postal Services (ACS). In addition to the initial investment, GLS has secured an option to acquire the remaining 80% of ACS’s share capital within two years.

ACS serves over 30,000 customers and its network provides 100% coverage across mainland Greece and the Greek Islands. It comprises over 271 ACS outlets operated by exclusive independent agents offering competitive and flexible collection and delivery services, 269 parcel shops and eight hubs.

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Toyota Material Handling (UK) has released the Trends in Logistics 2024 report, which says that as fossil fuels are phased out and the electrification of road transportation and materials handling fleets gathers pace, energy storage will become one of the biggest challenges facing companies in the supply chain sector.

In its report, Toyota says that batteries capable of storing energy at very high capacities have a vital part to play in the UK’s future energy infrastructure.

Continue reading Logistics industry faces an energy storage challenge, Toyota Material Handling UK reports at Parcel and Postal Technology International.