Logistics
businesses across the world are constantly searching for new ways to keep the
costs of fuel down, so that they can stay in business. Governments and consumers are also demanding that
companies play their part to reduce the threat of climate change. So, what does
this mean for logistics businesses? The answer is simple - they have to take
action to reduce their carbon footprint. We have looked at some of the latest
environmental developments in the logistics industry and our findings are
reported here.
1. Air Transport
Larger planes Moving
goods by air produces high levels of CO2. Larger planes help logistics
companies maximize the amount of goods that can be moved for the fuel that is
used. The Airbus A380F is a good example.
Use of biokerosene fuel Biofuel
is made from plants and is lighter than normal aviation fuel. This weight
advantage allows you to move more goods or enables you to fly for longer. This
can reduce carbon emissions. Air France and KLM already use this fuel.
2. Rail Transport
Double height containers These
are stacked one on top of the other on freight trains. This method is currently
used in Canada.
It’s not possible to use this method in the UK because our bridges are too low.
Rail network electrification This
reduces the need for diesel powered trains. Electric power is cleaner and tends
to be more efficient per km. The overall environmental benefit depends on the
method of generation used for the electricity to run the network.
Electrification can be found in many European countries.
Moving more goods off the
road and on to trains New rail facilities are being developed in continental
Europe and the UK.
The port of Felixstowe
now offers 28 daily rail services to 16 UK destinations, and in the future
26% of containers landed will be transported by rail. Both Stobart and Tesco use
trains to transport goods.
Electric freight trains These are now
running regularly from the Midlands (in England)
to Scotland.
These trains enable CO2 reductions of 30%, compared to diesel powered trains
and will deliver an annual carbon saving of 7,500 tonnes. Examples of logistics
companies which use electric freight trains are Stobart and DB Schenker.
Train driving technique Drivers
are trained to anticipate when they need to change speed and when they need to
respond to signals on the track. This training can reduce the level of fuel
consumed by the train. DB Schenker already has this training in place.
3. Road Transport
New fuel efficient tyres Special
tyres (e.g. Goodyear Fuelmax) have been produced, which have a high silicone
content. This makes the tyre harder at high speed. Hard tyres mean less rolling
resistance with the road surface. This results in lower fuel consumption at
high speeds. Various logistics companies are trialling these tyres in the UK.
Lorry driver training Intensive
training to improve the driving style of lorry drivers can reduce fuel
consumption by up to 10%. Tesco and many large logistics firms in the UK
provide this training to their drivers.
More aerodynamic cab roof A large
piece of plastic called a deflector is placed on the cab roof to improve the
lorry’s aerodynamics. This results in lower fuel consumption. The logistics
company, Stobart, uses deflectors on their lorries.
More aerodynamic trailer A
curved trailer, called a ‘teardrop trailer,’ makes a lorry more aerodynamic,
which results in fuel savings. Marks & Spencer uses these trailers.
Electric vehicles These
do not emit CO2 but they can only travel so far before they need to be
re-charged. Their size is limited and their use is restricted to urban areas.
TNT Express uses these vehicles.
4. Sea Transport
Plug in at port When a
ship docks in Antwerp port, Belgium, it can use the port’s
electricity. This means that the ship can turn off its own main engines, which
leads to fuel and cost savings.
Deeper, larger ports If
shipping companies are able to use deeper, larger ports, they can use their
most up to date, high capacity ships. Compared with older vessels, these newer
ships are able to carry more containers. This reduces the number of ships
needed and the overall emissions generated. Liverpool
and Felixstowe are examples of British ports with deeper access.
Reducing ship speed on long
journeys Slightly reducing a ship’s average speed can save
considerable amounts of fuel on long journeys. Several shipping companies are
doing this on selected routes around the world. Journey time is increased but
only by a few days. Maersk and Evergreen Line are examples of companies which
use this method.
Increasing the width of the
Panama Canal and Suez Canal The
widening of both canals will allow newer, larger ships to use them. Larger
ships can carry more goods and containers. This reduces the number of ships
needed and the overall emissions generated.
Using regional ports Using
regional ports, such as Hull and Greenock and
not just the main UK
container ports (Felixstowe and Southampton) means that cargo is unloaded and
loaded near to centres of population. This reduces lorry mileage from the port
to its potential market place.
Vocabulary focus. Study
the words and word combinations, practise
their translation, spelling. Check your knowledge
in the test. Play vocabulary game and set your own vocabulary game record.
1. Translate words and word combinations from English
into Ukrainian and use them in your own sentences.
Logistics, constantly, cost, fuel, consumer to demand, to reduce,
threat, to take action, carbon, environmental, to maximize, biofuel, to enable,
emission, freight train, electrification, rail, to anticipate, tyre, to trial,
aerodynamics, vehicle, capacity, vessel, to increase.
2. Phrase match.
(Sometimes more than one choice is possible).
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1
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searching
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A
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capacity
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2
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high
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B
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trains
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3
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on the
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C
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the amount of goods
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4
|
rolling
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D
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urban areas
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5
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freight
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E
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for new ways
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6
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reduces
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F
|
developments
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7
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maximize
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G
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by rail
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8
|
carbon
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H
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track
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9
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restricted to
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I
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climate change
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10
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to reduce their
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J
|
carbon footprint
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11
|
environmental
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K
|
resistance
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12
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transported
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L
|
emissions
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13
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stay in
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M
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the need
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14
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the threat of
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N
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action
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15
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to keep the
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O
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facilities
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16
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to take
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P
|
business
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17
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rail
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Q
|
costs of fuel down
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3. Complete the sentences.
1.
Larger planes help …
2.
The overall
environmental benefit …
3.
Governments and
consumers are also demanding …
4.
This weight advantage …
5.
Their size is limited …
6.
The widening of both
canals …
7.
Compared with older
vessels …
8.
Using regional ports …
9.
Biofuel is made …
10.
These trains enable …
4. Say
if the following statements are true according to the text.
1.
Biofuel is lighter than
normal aviation fuel.
2.
Biofuel allows companies
to move larger goods but it is not good for long distance flights.
3.
Logistics businesses across the world are constantly searching for new
ways to protect environment.
4.
Moving more goods off trains and on to the road helps reduce costs and
carbon footprint.
5.
Reducing a ship’s
average speed can save considerable amounts of fuel.
6.
Electric vehicles use is restricted to
urban areas.
7.
Special tyres can help
companies lower fuel consumption.
8.
Training can help
improve the driving style of lorry drivers can reduce fuel consumption.
9. Logistics companies have to take action to reduce levels of CO2 they
produce.
10. Using double height containers is an effective
method that can be used in all countries of the world.
5. Comprehension
questions.
1.
What actions should be
taken by logistics businesses to protect environment?
2.
How can air transport be
made more environmentally friendly?
3.
Can you give examples of
any companies using innovative approaches to air transportation? What are the techniques
they use?
4.
What changes in rail
transport are already taking place in UK and European logistics
businesses?
5.
How can driver training
help reduce threat of climate change?
6.
What companies are
already using new approaches to truck transportation?
7.
What problems can
changes in road logistics create?
8.
Can reducing companies’
carbon footprint influence the?
9.
How can using regional
ports influence transportation costs?
10.
What are techniques to
make a lorry more aerodynamic?
