We're ending the year by sharing with you the biggest Freightlink articles of the year! From the best service stations in the UK to our guide on how to save money on fuel, it's been one heck of a varied year!
In January, Brittany Ferries announced a new ferry route Ireand and Spain, carrying up to 500 passengers with space for 195 cars. She hosts 2,225 lane metres of garage space and Brittany Ferries expected a fifty-fifty split between passengers and freight carried.
In July, we highlighted the best service stations & truck stops in the UK. We know how important it is for drivers to find the best place to stop off when they’re out on the road. Whatever your needs, always plan your stops to avoid ending up in an unlit layby with a stale sandwich!
In May, we outlined the right vehicle for your job. Did you know that the word lorry comes from the Old English term ‘to lurry’, which means ‘to pull’? It’s not just the word lorry that has developed over time; vehicles have developed too.
In January, we also updated you on new commercial vans being released in 2018. A quick look at what couriers and van drivers could expect from the likes of Ford, Citroen, Mercedes-Benz and more.
In November, it was revealed that a former Stena Line ferry is to be used as a space rocket landing pad. Founded by Amazon owner Jeff Bezos in 2000, Blue Origin will be using the 11,000 tonne ferry to recover the first-stage section of the spacecraft's rocket boosters.
In October, we wrote about everyone's favourite subject, Brexit. On the 13th September, the UK Government issued a number of Brexit related documents, including several technical notices related to the maritime, transport and logistics industry regarding ferry port entry, international driving permits, driver identity documents and trailer registration.
In February, we took a close look at 'Trucker Hotels', one of the ideas currently on the table to meet the Drivers' 45 hour rest rule. This proposal, however, was proving controversial. Although the weekly rest break may still include using the truck cab to sleep in, the rest period must be taken in a formal rest area such as a service area or truck stop. Drivers who ignore this policy face sanctions including fixed penalty notices of £300 (RHA).
In May, it was all about the new MOT requirements. Changes to MOT regulation came into effect on Sunday 20th May 2018, whilst HGVs are affected by other tests, many commercial vans may find themselves affected when they have their next MOT test. It has now become a legal offence not to record any dangerous, major or minor defects. Failure to do so will result in disciplinary action taken by the DVSA.
In April, we posted about the Cross Channel Plug In and Open Deck availability on P&O Ferries. As quoted from P&O, "It has been clearly notified to us that we are no longer allowed to have running engines on deck due to risk of fire, as per MCA guidance (MGN 341 and MGN21). Our fleet on our Cross Channel service now have the capabilities of offering a plug-in on board, for various power supplies."
In June, we let you all know how you can pay less for you fuel, despite diesel prices skyrocketing! With the cost of petrol and diesel rising every day for two months we were all feeling the squeeze. The increase had been blamed on the rising cost of oil, the price of diesel has seen an overall rise of 7½% since January, the implications have been significant for frequent road users.
We hope you all had a great 2018 and enjoyed our posts. We will be regularly updating you with all ferry freight related news and events throughout 2019 as well!