Brexit and the pandemic have caused a “perfect storm” of adverse effects for the distribution sector in the United Kingdom, mainly due to the shortage of trucks. During the summer of this year, Britain saw 100,000 truckers lost, threatening a major food shortage.
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Not only is there concern around the food supply chain, but the disruption that has occurred has created a huge food waste problem.
With drivers and warehouse workers missing, a lot of fresh food is being thrown away. Recently, Tesco bosses raised the issue in a meeting with Transport Minister Lady Vere, warning that vacancies were generating 48 tons of food waste a week, the equivalent of two truckloads.
Extend train service to the United Kingdom from Almussafes
As a solution, Tesco will expand the exclusive use of train service to bring goods to the UK. In October, the retailer starts a new international express rail service with refrigerated cars, through the Valencian company Transfesa Logistics.
These will depart from the Almussafes terminal (Valencia) and arrive at Barking station (London). Transfesa Logistics’ rail service is scheduled to leave at 8pm, to reach the UK in time for the following morning.
Fresh products shipped the same day they are collected to England
The idea is that fresh produce is collected during the day and shipped the same day from Valencia to Tesco warehouses. In this way, the highest quality of the product is guaranteed. During a first phase, Tesco will start with 15 loads per week with two trains, but the agreement will be evaluated on a monthly basis and can be extended to double or triple current connections.
The Transfesa Logistics company is the the only rail operator with direct connections to the UK for over 25 years. As such, it has extensive experience in this sector and also claims that it aims to reduce the levels of Co2 generated, which makes this service environmentally friendly.
“We are one of the few, if not the only, UK food retailer who uses rail extensively”
Ken Murphy, the CEO of Tesco
Ken Murphy, the CEO of Tesco, fully agrees with the decision, saying that using rail service will help reduce emissions and ensure freight delivery through a shortage of truck drivers.
“We are one of the few, if not the only, UK food retailer who uses rail extensively,” said Murphy. This service is expected to be a success, as Tesco has an ambition to increase to 90,000 containers by November or December this year.
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