DHL to use Volkswagen (VW) cars as a delivery point
On Tuesday, it was revealed that DHL and VW are collaborating together to launch a trial project in Berlin offering in-car delivery, in which chosen consumers can get their packages delivered to VW cars. As a result, 50 VW Polos will be used as a mobile address for the delivery services. To be selected as a participant in the trial, customers must apply online and fit the following requirements: be over the age of 21, live in Berlin, be frequent online shoppers and have a driver’s license for at least twelve months.
The successful candidates will get to use VW Polo, which is already fitted with the necessary delivery equipment, for four weeks to trial the service. After ordering an item, the DHL Delivery app notifies the courier of the exact delivery location. The vehicle can be parked anywhere as long as it is accessible to the courier. The app provides the courier with a code to access the car. In addition, the courier needs the customer-specific car ID to open the trunk of the car. Once a package has been delivered, an email is sent to the driver of the VW car accompanied by a delivery note. Furthermore, this in-car delivery project offers a returns service where items can be left in the trunk to be collected.
Read more about this project here.
Mars goes greener with supply chain sustainability plan
On Wednesday, it was announced that Mars intends to spend $1 billion to accomplish its sustainability targets. This involves cutting down on greenhouse gas emissions in an attempt to support the objectives of the Paris Climate Agreement. Mars had previously set environmental goals to decrease greenhouse gas emissions throughout the supply chain by 40 percent by 2020. However, the company has now expanded this to 67 percent by 2050.
Mars already powers its operations in the U.K. and U.S. markets with renewable energy. So for the sustainability plan to work across the whole supply chain, Mars has started discussions with some of their suppliers, for example, mint oil producers, to switch to renewable energy sources. Furthermore, the company wants to reduce poverty and tackle human rights violations in areas where several of the main crops and resources for its chocolate products, such as cocoa, mint and palm oil, are produced. In other matters, Mars has tried sequencing genomes of cocoa, for example, to avoid deforestation issues and to make plants more productive. The company believes that it can be more resource efficient from the improved sustainability plan and therefore have a competitive advantage.
To find more information about Mars’ plans, click here.
Ports in South Florida could be closed because of Hurricane Irma
As you can see from my last wrap-up, hurricanes are not only having a big impact on residents’ everyday life but also on the logistics sector. This week, it was reported that if Hurricane Irma remains on the current route, then the U.S. Coast Guard is required to shut all of the ports in South Florida before Saturday morning. This outcome will have an effect on Port Everglades, Port Miami and Port of Palm Beach. Ships would have to get authority from the Captain of the Port to enter or travel through these ports, as all port operations will be postponed. On Wednesday, anchored ships were preparing to travel back to the ports. But after the closure, ships already out at sea would have to be sent to ports close by.
This could cause a great deal of disruption to shipping trade as Port Everglades and Port Miami are two of the largest cargo ports in the U.S. Moreover, the South Florida region obtains its petroleum supply from Port Everglades, as a considerable amount of petroleum is stored there. As a result, South Florida residents are worried about the quantity of fuel available during the storm.
More information can be found here.
Have a great weekend!
Header photo: Toria/shutterstock.com
