Freight and haulage operator Northwards has invested £640,000 in additional insulated trailers to meet growing demand for salmon exports from Shetland, writes Peter Brown.
The new insulated trailers will arrive later this year, followed by a rolling replacement programme of four trailers annually. They will operate on the Shetland–Aberdeen ferry service, where deck space is limited.
The insulated design was first pioneered by Northwards to enable temperature-controlled fish to be transported from Shetland.
On the return journey, the trailers can accommodate a range of other freight that can be side-loaded, rather than being restricted to the rear doors of conventional refrigerated trailers.
Northwards commercial director Neil Leslie said: “The new trailers, manufactured by SDC Trailers Ltd, are based on the original concept we introduced 14 years ago and are insulated to the same high standard.
“The Advancer A400 fridge units, supplied by Thermo King Northern, keep the fish chilled using a more efficient and environmentally friendly refrigeration motor.
“All trailers are equipped with advanced tracking systems that provide real-time temperature monitoring throughout transit and automatically issue alerts if any deviation from the required conditions is detected.
“Aquaculture is a very important sector for us. We work closely with the industry and understand its very specific requirements. We recognise the perishable nature of fresh fish and the importance of timely deliveries in maintaining quality, value and customer confidence.
“This investment demonstrates our commitment to adopting the most sustainable and efficient practices, delivering benefits for both our business and our customers.”
The investment comes as Northwards’ salmon farming and processing customer in Shetland, Scottish Sea Farms, increases its capacity and production levels.
Lyndsay MacCorquodale, supply chain coordinator at Scottish Sea Farms, said: “We’ve built a strong relationship with Northwards over many years, and this continued investment demonstrates their commitment to supporting both our business and the wider Scottish aquaculture sector as production continues to grow.
“The new insulated trailers will help ensure our premium Scottish salmon reaches customers in optimum condition, with the reliability and efficiency that our supply chain depends on. Northwards’ ability to transport feed and other essential products on the return journey also makes better use of available capacity, delivering greater efficiency and sustainability for everyone involved.”
Northwards has bases in Shetland, Orkney, Aberdeen, Inverness, Scrabster and Central Scotland.
