New Skeletal Trailers Maintain Quality of UK Wide Container Haulage Fleet

Order Sees 3,000 Units Deployed Overall

UK – Still doubtless basking in the glory of two of the company's executives last week being honoured as winners of Lifetime Achievement Awards at the 2019 Freight Transport Association (FTA) celebration,Maritime Transport continued the upgrade of its 3,000 strong trailer fleet with the first of 310 new skeletal units supplied by long-term partner, Dennison.

The new trailers will support operations from Maritime’s network of thirty one depots and consist of 200 sliding, 100 fixed whilst 10 are sliding with underslung gensets fitted. Stuart Wardlaw, Fleet Director at Maritime, commented: 
”Throughout our 15-year relationship, we have been impressed with the trailers Dennison have provided, and how they have worked closely with us to deliver a specification that fully optimises our intensive operation. 

”The investment in these new skeletals demonstrates our commitment to having the safest, most efficient fleet on the road, and to increasing our presence whilst providing an unparalleled service.” 

A leader in the field of container haulage, road safety and compliance remains a priority for Maritime, and each trailer sideguard has been equipped with hi-vis warning signs to help lower the likelihood of injury to vulnerable road users, and James Dennison, Managing Director at Dennison Trailers said: 
”We’re extremely pleased to be supplying Maritime with these additional trailers, and are proud to be associated with such a fantastic business. Our outset has always been to produce quality products, and everything we do is with our customers in mind. We look forward to seeing the results these new skeletal trailers will bring Maritime, and maintaining our relationship with them.”

330 more new generation Scania’s for Maritime 


Maritime Transport Ltd. (Maritime) has ordered 330 new generation trucks from long-standing supplier, Scania; 260 vehicles to be added to its fleet by the end of the year, with the remaining to enter service in 2020. Maritime’s latest fleet expansion will extend its customer-offering and capability to support its rapid growth in the road-rail sectors.
Fulfilled by Scania’s dealer for East Anglia, TruckEast, Maritime’s largest order to date comprises 30 410-horsepower R 410 4x2 models, and 300 450-horsepower R 450 6x2/2 mid-lift units. All 330 trucks will be equipped with Highline cabs and Scania's fully-automated Opticruise gear-selection system.
‘Quality is fundamental to our operation, which, in addition to their fuel performance and overall reliability, is why Scania vehicles make up a large part of our fleet,’ stated Stuart Wardlaw, Fleet Director at Maritime. ‘Our drivers have always been very impressed with the NGT models, and the excellent facilities they provide. We’re very pleased to be ordering from Scania once again, and look forward to putting these vehicles to work and for our customers to benefit from.’ 
In the coming months, the new trucks will be distributed across Maritime’s 31 depots throughout the UK; the 4x2s to be used for distribution work, with the 6x2/2s for both container and distribution operations. The vehicles will be kept for a minimum of five years, during which time they will average 1.2 million kilometres per vehicle per annum. All 330 trucks are being supplied with two-year Scania repair and maintenance programmes. 
Fleet and Specialist Sales Director, Kevin Lanksford, commented: ‘Maritime is a fantastic business that has seen phenomenal growth over the years, and we’re delighted to remain as their preferred choice of marque. These vehicles are well-suited to support their intensive operation, and we’re excited to further build upon our excellent working relationship with them in years to come.’ 


John and Tommy Williams win FTA Lifetime Achievement Awards

John Williams, Group Executive Chairman at Maritime Transport and his father, Tommy Williams, of TDW Distribution, have both been honoured with an FTA Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising their dedication and extensive contribution to the logistics industry.
Unfortunately, John was unable to attend the ceremony, but his pre-recorded acceptance speech was played as Tommy was being presented with the awards by FTA President, Leigh Pomlett, at the FTA’s Logistics Awards ceremony, which took place at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge on 24th October. 
Around 450 industry peers gathered to attend the FTA’s third celebratory gala dinner, which once again hosted a full multimodal representation of award entries, from road, rail, sea, and air including operators, manufacturers, retail, logistics and supporting industries.
Commenting on his award, John Williams stated: ‘I am incredibly humbled to have received this award alongside my father, in recognition for our work within this industry. What Maritime has achieved in the last 18 years is beyond anything I ever imagined. We have overcome all challenges thrown at us, emerging as one of the largest privately owned transport companies in the UK today. So many people ask me what the secret to our success is, and every chairman, owner, or leader when asked the same question will always say the people; there is no doubt in my mind that we have assembled the best people, drivers and staff, and I honestly believe that our best days and greatest successes are yet to come.’ 
After learning his trade with Russel Davies, Securicor Logistics, and Hutchinson Ports, John acquired Maritime Transport in 2001; the company then had 137 vehicles, 5 depots, a revenue of £18million, and zero profit, with a level of personal debt that would prove daunting for most. Despite the numerous challenges the company has faced over the years including the global financial crisis, Maritime now has over 1,600 vehicles on the road, a nationwide network of 31 depots, and rapidly growing intermodal and distribution divisions with a turnover of over £300million.
Tommy started his career with a single lorry delivering coal in 1953. His business continued as a coal merchant until the miner’s strike of 1972, when he switched to general haulage. Growing from strength to strength, the hugely success TDW Distribution today is one of the largest carriers of palletised freight, distributing throughout the UK, whilst offering comprehensive warehouse and logistics facilities. 
‘Both John and Tommy’s contributions to this sector and their operations over the years have been enormously impressive,’ said Leigh Pomlett, FTA President. ‘In an industry that often goes unrecognised, it is such a privilege to be celebrating their outstanding achievements, and the ongoing support they give to this sector. Simply put, these Lifetime Achievement Awards are nothing short of well-deserved.’ 

New straddle carriers up and running at Maritime’s Midlands terminal 


Maritime Transport Ltd. (Maritime) has unveiled two new Konecranes Noell NSC 644 E straddle carriers at its Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal (BIFT). Both carriers will improve service reliability for its customer-base as well as terminal efficiency, as Maritime’s expansion into the rail sector continues. 
This news is the latest in a number of asset acquisitions Maritime is making across its network, including new vehicles, trailers and container lifting equipment. In addition to these investments, Maritime has recently announced depot moves in Tilbury and Doncaster, and has completed the refurbishment of its newly-acquired rail terminal in Wakefield, all whilst securing new services for its intermodal customers and preparing to launch its latest intermodal rail freight terminal, East Midlands Gateway (EMG).
The new diesel-electric straddle carriers have a four-high capacity with Konecranes Noell single-lift spreaders, replacing previous units at the terminal to provide a faster, more reliable process of loading and unloading containers. Two years’ remote service support is also included in Maritime’s latest contract with Konecranes, as well as scope for two additional carriers. 
Commenting on the new machinery, Stuart Wardlaw, Fleet Director at Maritime Transport, stated: ‘We are committed to investing in our infrastructure to ensure we can deliver the best possible service to our customers, however unique their requirements are, and look forward to taking advantage of the benefits these two new machines will bring to our day to day operations at BIFT.’ 
Maritime acquired BIFT in 2014 as part of the Roadways Container Logistics deal, and has grown the terminal’s operation from one daily service to five. Turnaround times for the rail hub are some of the best in the industry, and the new straddle carriers, now in operation, are a testament to the investment Maritime continues to make in rail, proving its commitment to providing unrivalled services to its customers.
‘We’re incredibly proud of our Konecranes Noell straddle carriers and the role they’ll play in Maritime’s container handling operation in the Midlands,’ said Neil Griffiths, Sales and Service Director (UK) – Konecranes. ‘As Maritime’s rapid growth in the intermodal sector continues, we will endeavour to provide excellent service support to help ensure they remain market leaders.'


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