IMPERIAL Logistics introduces first Euro V vehicles to SA

Johannesburg, 8 October 2010 - IMPERIAL Logistics is leading the green supply chain evolution with initiatives that include South Africa's first vehicles equipped to Euro V emission standards. Member company, Fast 'n Fresh has two vehicles that are on track to be in operation in the next two months and additional vehicles are due to be on the road early next year.

Euro V engines run on low sulphur diesel, with additives that further reduce toxic emissions. "As environmental sustainability is substantially enabled through supply chain management, IMPERIAL Logistics applies 'green' best practice in its resource base of transportation, warehousing and storage, as well as technology systems," says Abrie de Swardt, IMPERIAL Logistics Marketing Director.

Practical steps taken include ensuring that all fuel contains 5% of "biodiesel" in its Fast 'n Fresh operations. Its fleet for customer, Woolworths includes three ecoFridge trailers and one rigid unit, which is anticipated to eliminate 596 tons of CO₂ per year, with consumption decreasing up to 9% because of load optimisation.

Fundamentally different from mechanical refrigeration systems, ecoFridge is nitrogen powered and thereby completely harmless to the environment. It uses no HFCs or HCFCs and is already Montreal (2010) and Kyoto (2015) compliant on emissions, and is 30% more cost effective to operate.

"Combined fuel and emission savings have translated into the equivalent of 10 cars less on the road, per truck. Our objective is to expand this trial and roll it out to the larger fleet," de Swardt says, concluding that as green becomes thé factor in supply chain management, companies outsourcing this function will rely on LSPs to help satisfy green goals.