Eco-logistics and sustainable transport development – ecological solutions in logistics
Aby stawić czoła wyzwaniom dzisiejszego świata, branża TSL musi podążać z duchem zachodzących w nim zmian. Naszym obowiązkiem jest wychodzenie naprzeciw potrzebom społeczeństwa i wprowadzanie w życie idei ekologistyki oraz zrównoważonego rozwoju transportu.
Transport ecology is a topic known to our industry for years. The number of practical applications of sustainable solutions in logistics is growing year by year, providing new opportunities for carriers. Technologies that were once associated only with ideal visions of the future are slowly becoming available at your fingertips.
Alternative drives – transport ecology in practice
Today, the topic of ecology in transport is generally associated primarily with the use of alternative drives. Before new and innovative engines found their commercial use in trucks, passenger cars blazed the trail. Hybrids and electric vehicles, once a curiosity, are now becoming an increasingly common sight on our roads. And what is the situation regarding their heavier counterparts?
Alternative fuels lead the way among modern truck drives. According to ACEA data their share among new trucks increased from 1.2% in 2018 to as much as 3.6% in 2021. The most important of them is natural gas, used in liquefied (LNG) or compressed (CNG) form. This fuel is a more environmentally friendly solution than petroleum due to the lower amount of pollution generated during its combustion.
Electric trucks, in turn, dominate urban transport and the so-called last-mile sector – the final stage of parcel delivery by courier companies. On Polish roads, the first such vehicle was the 3-axle Volvo FE Electric model, for which we had the pleasure of creating a specialized bodywork.
Aluminum combinations – a pinnacle achievement in eco-logistics
The use of alternative drivetrains in heavy vehicles is not the only method of implementing sustainable transport development goals in terms of the technologies used. Equally crucial is the selection of materials used to construct trailers, semi-trailers, and vehicle bodies. Steel, commonly used on the market – although it fulfills its intended functions – can be successfully replaced with alternatives.
At GT Trailers, we recognized the potential for using aluminum in heavy transport many years ago. It was then that the company’s founder, Mr. Kazimierz Gniot, took on the challenge of creating functional solutions based on this metal. Thanks to his visionary approach, we developed trailers and high-volume combinations using aluminum in the vehicle frames and floors. Thanks to a unique production technique and a welded-bolted construction, the GTV Prestige combinations designed in this way are characterized by reliability exceeding standard steel solutions.
But how do aluminum GT Trailers combinations contribute to building eco-logistics? Firstly, they are significantly lighter than competing vehicles (weight savings reach up to 1 ton!). This translates into reduced fuel consumption or the ability to carry additional cargo. The lifespan of such a combination is also significant. Aluminum is a much more durable material and resistant to the passage of time, which significantly extends the potential operation of the vehicle.
Intermodal transport – a green supply chain without unnecessary links
A separate area for the implementation of the idea of eco-logistics is the systemic solution provided by intermodal transport. It assumes the equal use of various forms of freight transport within a single supply chain, using a common loading unit. This eliminates the need to reload vehicles from the entire process – only a common container, in which the goods are transported, is transferred.
The advantages of intermodality as an ecological transport solution are primarily related to supply chain optimization. The thoughtful and planned use of vehicles adapted for this type of transport allows for the reduction of fuel consumption throughout the process and saves valuable time.
GT Trailers has been actively supporting the development of intermodal transport for many years. As a company specializing in the production of transport solutions for trucks, our focus is on the production of BDF systems. These are special fittings that enable the transport of a common loading unit – a swap body. We are also the initiator and organizer of the IMS Intermodal Show, an event dedicated to popularizing intermodal transport in Poland.
Transport ecology and economics – a simple path to savings
When introducing the idea of eco-logistics in a company, it is worth remembering that social values go hand in hand with economic values. Sustainable transport development involves using available resources in the most optimal way, maximizing the efficiency of logistics operations.
For society and the environment, this means reducing generated pollution. For the company – increasing generated revenues. In this way, by basing transport on products that support the idea of sustainable development – such as GT Trailers vehicles – it is easy to combine ecology with economics.
