Increasing Intermodal Sustainability
It seems like sustainability is a top priority for the intermodal industry, according to experts and leaders at the IANA Intermodal Expo 2022. With new developments in areas such as electric vehicles and eco-friendly fuel, the industry is primed to make serious headway in the pursuit of sustainability.
Companies like IMC have pledged to have 100% electric fleets by 2030, in addition to the fuel-efficient diesel technology and renewable diesel they currently use. Other companies, such as Valor Victoria are focusing their efforts on cutting down fuel waste and lowering emissions by strategizing the most efficient routes possible.
Fighting Forced Labor
The European Commission has proposed a new regulation prohibiting products made with forced labor from the EU market, covering all products, imports, and goods made in the EU for domestic consumption and export.
If, after a thorough investigation by authorities, it’s determined that a product was made with forced labor, the product would immediately be barred from both the EU market and from being exported from the EU, withdrawn from any existing placement on the EU market, and rendered inoperable through either destruction or disposal.
If the regulation passes, importers and exporters serving the EU will need to maintain a thorough familiarity with their entire supply chain to avoid future losses.
Navigating Europe’s Energy Crisis
In anticipation of a winter shortage, Europe’s largest truck manufacturers are stockpiling natural gas and exploring alternative fuel options. Securing sufficient fuel is already difficult, which is only expected to worsen as private homes, businesses, and hospitals begin to compete for resources.
Other shortages that have caused manufacturing delays in the past such as chips, semiconductors, and other parts, have essentially cemented themselves as a consistent factor in the manufacturing process over time. With the energy landscape steeped in uncertainty as it has been, manufacturers can likely expect sourcing fuel to become a similarly consistent challenge going forward.