A single delivery from the handling agent to multiple forwarders’ facilities could replace forwarders’ own truck collections for Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
A pilot project for this single delivery service, called the milk run, has seen the number of vehicle movements used to handle the import traffic between participants reduced by 30 per cent, with truck load factors increasing from an average 25 per cent to more than 60 per cent.
This pilot will finish in December, when a full evaluation will take place. If the trial is considered a success, the aim is to operate a similar facility for export cargo. The milk run partners include, DHL, Panalpina, Nippon Express and Cargonaut. Menzies is the handling agent and scheme manager, while Bos Logistics collects and delivers on behalf of Menzies.
Cargonaut commercial director, Luc Scheidel, says: “In the Milk Run, innovation has been achieved through commitment and collaboration from the industry, and the launch partners have co-funded the initiative. This is yet another example of how the Schiphol community’s close collaboration enables progress to be made that no individual party could accomplish on its own. This is as important as the early results, which incidentally look very promising.”
Another ten forwarders are expected to take part in later trials. The milk run is being organised by the steering committee forwarders of Air Cargo Netherlands with the hope that it will optimise the inbound supply chain at Schiphol and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. It is also expected to reduce truck traffic on and around the airport.
