50-foot Malcolm Logistics container to transform freight 08 May 2014

Malcolm Logistics says its new 50-foot container, unveiled at last month's Multimodal 2014 show at the NEC, is set to "revolutionise the way goods will be moved in the future."

The Scottish logistics giant says that its 50-foot container's extra five feet (1.52m) not only provides for 15% more freight per journey over the largest-available conventional 45ft container – equivalent to carrying four more pallets – but also has a green benefit through a potential 13% reduction in CO2 emissions-per-pallet.

The bigger box is also compatible with existing rail rolling-stock with the operator confirming that the current Megafret-type rail wagon will "easily accommodate" container lengths of 50 feet' (15.24m).

With the Malcolm Group already having 101 allocations for 15.65m LSTs (longer semi-trailers) as part of the DfT's on-going 10-year trials, the 50-foot box can be carried on Malcolm's latest SDC 'extended length' skeletal, for which the trailer-maker says it has a patent pending.

Using a BPW steering-axle on the rear of the 5,700kg tare-weight trailer, a WH Malcolm artic hauling a 50ft box can still meet the C&U artic turning-circle requirements of the LST trial.

SDC reports: "The operator currently has 20 of the 15.65m skeletal trailers on order."

Malcolm Logistics says its 50-foot container is "very-much aligned" with current DfT and government ambitions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the British freight industry.

"For more than 10 years now we have pursued a carbon-reduction policy by exploring innovative multi-modal opportunities to reduce the impact of our road and rail movements, while maximising potential savings in time, handling and fuel usage," says a spokesperson.

The Malcolm Group currently operates two Scottish railhead facilities, at Paisley and Grangemouth, and has managed the DIRFT site at Daventry for the past seven years.

Between 9—10% of the company's freight transport and logistics movements are currently handled by rail.

Author
Brian Weatherley

Related Companies
SDC Trailers Ltd

This material is protected by MA Business copyright
See Terms and Conditions.
One-off usage is permitted but bulk copying is not.
For multiple copies contact the sales team.