Peel Ports gathers leaders from the retail sector as calls intensify for a more sustainable approach to UK port entry strategies.
Prominent figures within the retail sector are advocating for the utilisation of UK ports nearer to the final destinations of goods as a strategy to cut carbon emissions and streamline inefficiencies within the nation’s logistics framework.
This recommendation emerges against the backdrop of 90% of the UK’s deep-sea container freight arriving through southern ports, despite 60% of these goods ultimately heading to the north.
This distribution model necessitates extensive road transport to deliver retail items to their final locations, leading to substantial carbon emissions and significant transport delays.
A forthcoming webinar organised by the British Retail Consortium (BRC) aims to chart a course for collaborative industry action towards refining entry points for UK imports, targeting a more sustainable and effective retail supply chain.
The webinar, titled “The 60/90 dilemma – why sluggish UK retail supply chains are overdue a rethink,” will feature top executives from well-known entities such as TJ Morris, The Very Group, and Peel Ports, a leading UK port operator.
This initiative is inspired by a Peel Ports survey indicating that 76% of retail leaders prefer imports to be offloaded closer to their destinations. The study further highlights a strong retail focus on sustainability, with 77% rating carbon emission reduction as a key goal, and 79% acknowledging the need for more efficient goods transportation to lower emissions.
The panel discussion will explore obstacles that must be addressed to enact significant changes within the retail logistics chain.
By advocating for imports to land nearer to their destinations, the move aims to not only cut emissions from lengthy transport but also to boost efficiency by alleviating road congestion and reducing transport costs.
The webinar, led by BRC and featuring high-ranking officials from TJ Morris, The Very Group, and the Peel Ports Group, will delve into these topics.
Peel Ports’ Marcus Connolly, Strategic Commercial Director for the Port of Liverpool, emphasised the retail sector’s demand for better port utilisation to enable goods to arrive closer to their destinations. He highlighted the multiple advantages, including reduced lead times and emissions, along with improved logistics efficiency.
“Ports are ready to support more eco-friendly retail practices, and it’s crucial now to engage with shipping companies and the broader retail and logistics industries for more efficient solutions. This conversation represents a critical and timely step forward,” Connolly stated.
The discussion, “The 60/90 dilemma – why sluggish UK retail supply chains are overdue a rethink,” is scheduled for Tuesday, 5 March 2024, from 11 am to 12 noon GMT.
