IN THE NEWS
ROAD FREIGHT
Professional drivers, global standards: The road to safer transport
IRU has called on the United Nations to establish global standards for professional drivers, warning that inconsistent qualifications are undermining road safety and efficiency worldwide. Speaking at the United Nations Global Forum on Road Traffic Safety last week, IRU Global Advocacy Policy Adviser Clara Sánchez López underscored the need to professionalise commercial drivers and harmonise standards to improve road safety. Read more: https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/professional-drivers-global-standards-road-safer-transport
EU urged to scale up safe truck parking network
RU, the European Transport Workers’ Federation and the European Secure Parking Organisation have sent a joint letter to the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President, Roxana Minzatu, urging concrete steps to accelerate the development of safe and secure truck parking areas across the EU. The letter follows a joint field visit to Belgian truck parking sites earlier this month, joined by the European Commission’s Vice-President for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Preparedness, Roxana Minzatu. The three organisations highlighted two core challenges preventing progress: persistent local permitting barriers and a lack of consistent long-term funding. Read more: https://www.iru.org/news-resources/newsroom/eu-urged-scale-safe-truck-parking-network
Hauliers urged to stay focused on ICS2 Customs changes despite delays
Hauliers should not become complacent about Import Control System 2 (ICS2) Phase 3, despite many EU members delaying the introduction of the cargo information system, according to Colin Robb, Head of Operations & Sales at Derry Bros. He warns that the latest postponements have resulted in a fragmented implementation for road freight, which has caused confusion in the cross-border freight marketplace and left many road-based operators unprepared for the changes. Read more: https://www.ukhaulier.co.uk/news/freight-logistics/freight-forwarding/hauliers-urged-to-stay-focused-on-ics2-customs-changes-despite-delays/
SEA FREIGHT
New guidelines to enhance efficiency of container stowage
ClassNK has released new guidelines for those involved in container shipping, aiming to enhance the efficiency of container stowage while ensuring safety measures, such as preventing cargo collapse.
According to ClassNK, these guidelines apply the latest expertise in weather forecasting, ship motion, and digital twin technologies. The newly released guidelines enable safer and higher-capacity container shipping by optimising stowage based on weather forecasts for short-term voyages and by taking advantage of the roll reduction effects of anti-rolling devices. Read more: https://safety4sea.com/classnk-new-guidelines-to-enhance-efficiency-of-container-stowage/
Red Sea, Panama Canal led to poorer port performance in 2024: World Bank
The ongoing diversion of ships away from the Suez Canal and the drought that limited Panama Canal transits led to a decline in port performance worldwide in 2024, according to the World Bank’s latest global survey. However, some ports in the developing world showed big gains last year thanks to investments from global operators PSA International and DP World.
The World Bank’s annual Port Performance Index, developed in conjunction with S&P Global, showed little change in terms of overall rankings among some 400 ports. Read more: https://www.joc.com/article/red-sea-panama-canal-led-to-poorer-port-performance-in-2024-world-bank-6084988
North Sea Port in Ghent gets six modernised 750-metre rail yard tracks
The North Sea Port in Ghent, Belgium, now has six modernised 750-metre tracks in the Mercator rail yard. The infrastructure is important for a number of big companies in the area. Read more: https://www.railfreight.com/intermodal/2025/09/22/north-sea-port-in-ghent-gets-six-modernised-750-metre-rail-yard-tracks/
Rate variations by trade reward ‘nimble’ ocean carriers
Relative rates, and thus relative returns, from different ocean trades are continuously fluid, and the level of variation is an incentive for carriers to regularly review where they deploy their assets. The large acquisitions by carriers such as Mediterranean Shipping Co. and CMA CGM of secondhand ships in the 2,000-8,000-TEU range that can be employed in the smaller deep-sea trades, regional trades and as feeders begs the question of where the best return is among many possibilities. Read more: https://www.joc.com/article/rate-variations-by-trade-reward-nimble-ocean-carriers-6083378
RAIL FREIGHT
Report shows women in rail are still too few
The role of women in rail, unfortunately, continues to remain very marginal, especially when it comes to more operational roles. Despite an increasing number of policies favouring gender equality, less than a quarter of the workforce in Europe is made up of women, with little progress over the past few years. Read more: https://www.railfreight.com/in-depth/2025/09/11/women-in-rail-are-still-too-few/
CGM acquires Freightliner UK
French shipping giant CMA CGM is expanding its intermodal portfolio with the acquisition of Freightliner UK Intermodal Logistics. “The transaction encompasses rail and road operations, inland terminals, as well as the Freightliner brand”, the British company said. Read more: https://www.railfreight.com/business/2025/09/22/cma-cgm-acquires-freightliner-uk/
FEATURES
Securing Beverage Freight: Tackling Alcohol Theft in the UK
Here at Kukla UK, our work in beverage logistics gives us a unique perspective on the importance of protecting goods in transit. Alcohol is a high-value, highly mobile commodity and as many in the industry will know, it remains a frequent target for organised theft within the UK’s road freight sector.
NaVCIS, the UK’s only police unit focused on freight and cargo crime nationwide
In the UK, freight crime does not have its own Home Office crime category. Many offences are logged simply as “theft from a motor vehicle”, which makes building a clear national picture difficult. The National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service (NaVCIS) Freight Desk helps bridge this gap. It is the only UK police unit dedicated to collecting, analysing and reporting freight and cargo crime nationwide. Read more: https://kbl.kukla-spedition.com/securing-beverage-freight-tackling-alcohol-theft-in-the-uk
Bonded Warehousing for Beverages: From 18th Century Innovation to Today’s UK Supply Chains
When you think about moving wine, beer, or spirits, you might picture ships unloading at busy ports or HGVs making their way along motorways. But beverage logistics involves far more than transport alone. One area which is often overlooked but absolutely vital is bonded warehousing.
With a history stretching back almost three centuries, bonded warehousing allows wines, beers and spirits to be stored securely, compliantly and tax-efficiently. Today, it remains a cornerstone of how beverages move through the UK market, supporting importers, producers and retailers alike.
Did You Know? Bonded Warehousing Started in the UK. Read more: https://kbl.kukla-spedition.com/bonded-warehousing-for-beverages-from-18th-century-innovation-to-todays-uk-supply-chains
Stay informed with Kukla UK!
Check Kukla UK’s website for logistics updates, strikes, issues, regulations and much more. The page link remains the same throughout the year. We welcome your feedback and are always happy to hear from you. Access our dedicated page for the 2025 updates here: https://kbl.kukla-spedition.com/news/information-update-2025
Kukla UK LIVE Sailing Schedule
The Sailing Schedule is updated weekly or as needed, so please bookmark it and refer to it when you need the information. Read more: https://kbl.kukla-spedition.com/sailing-schedule