Transport Minister launches Scotland’s Guide to the Benefits of Using Rail Freight
This short electronic guide is aimed at promoting rail freight capabilities to companies and public sector organisations unfamiliar with the benefits this can bring to their logistics chain
Recommending the Guide to businesses across Scotland and beyond, Mr Yousaf said:
“Rail freight offers multiple benefits from improving bottom-line costs, reliability, resilience and environmental performance, through to corporate social responsibility in being better for the environment, and for local communities.
“During the development of our rail freight strategy early last year, it became clear partners must work together to shine a light on Scotland’s rail freight industry, and make real efforts to promote the use of rail freight by businesses in Scotland.
“The world’s largest international shipping companies and supermarkets at the forefront of supply chain good practice as well as many manufacturers and others realise the potential of rail to deliver a reliable, cost-effective and sustainable service.
“This electronic Guide aims to give a short introduction to rail freight, an accessible snapshot of some goods currently moved by rail, case studies of rail’s flexibility and service excellence including maps showing it’s prominence in the supply chain. It is a real introduction to rail freight and, importantly gives details of the financial support available.
“I’d recommend this guide to anyone in logistics who is keen to hear first-hand from their peers what benefits rail freight can bring to their business.”
The new Guide has been endorsed by the Rail Freight Group (RFG), which represents users and suppliers of rail freight throughout Britain. David Spaven, the Rail Freight Group Scottish Representative said:
“The Rail Freight Group has been very pleased to contribute to this unique guide. Manufacturers, processors and logistics firms who have never used rail freight have to be convinced that the railway can deliver. Key performance statistics – like the fact that more than 95% of supermarket containers moved by rail arrive on time – help to make the case, but the railway is often not well understood by outsiders. ‘Delivering Your Goods’ shows what rail freight can do, and provides straightforward guidance to explore commodity-specific and route-specific opportunities across Scotland.”
Chris MacRae, the Freight Transport Association’s Head of Rail Freight Policy, said:
“This guide is important as it helps senders of freight to understand how they can integrate rail into their supply chains. This is particularly relevant to help Scottish manufacturers and exporters compete in global markets.”
Delivering Your Goods, Scotland’s Guide to the Benefits of Using Rail Freight can be found on the Transport scotland website.