Stena strengthens the Belfast–Heysham route
The ro-ro vessel Stena Connecta has arrived at the port of Belfast and will enter commercial service on the Belfast–Heysham route on 23 January 2026, strengthening freight capacity in the Irish Sea. The ship will operate alongside its sister vessel Stena Futura, in service since October 2025, and together they will deliver a 40% increase in freight capacity on one of the main routes between Northern Ireland and Great Britain. According to Stena Line, the investment is linked to volume growth recorded in 2025, with 113,000 units transported, the highest figure in the past five years. Stena Connecta is a New Max-type ro-ro vessel, 147 metres long, with 2,848 lane metres of cargo space, designed to maximise freight capacity. Its multi-hybrid propulsion system allows the use of batteries, biofuels and methanol. The vessel is also equipped with two Norsepower Rotor Sails, which can deliver fuel savings of up to 9% on the route. When both units are fully operational, the service will offer up to 24 weekly departures. Stena Line expects the new vessels to contribute to its target of reducing CO₂ emissions by 30% by 2030.
Hardis expands in the United States
Hardis Supply Chain, a specialist in supply chain management software, has announced the creation of Hardis Inc, a new subsidiary in the United States. The move represents a key step in the group’s internationalisation strategy and forms part of its investment plan in product development and commercial growth. The initiative comes against a backdrop of strong acceleration in the US market for supply chain modernisation projects, driven by cloud migration, warehouse automation and the increasing complexity of flows generated by omnichannel commerce. With Hardis Inc, the company aims to respond directly to these needs and strengthen support for European and multinational customers operating in North America, including Duracell, Pandora and Manitou. Previously, Hardis Supply Chain operated in the United States through integration partners such as Tata Consultancy Services and ITOrizon, as well as international project teams. The new subsidiary complements this model with dedicated implementation and support teams to increase proximity and responsiveness to US-based companies. In the coming months, the group plans to expand its network of local integrators and establish a commercial team with specific knowledge of the US market.
Czech toll added to UTA One Next
UTA Edenred has extended the functionality of its interoperable UTA One Next device to include the toll system of the Czech Republic, further expanding the operational scope of the European Electronic Toll Service. The 4G-compatible on-board unit can now process tolls in 18 European countries, positioning it as the EETS solution with the widest coverage currently available on the market. Activation of the Czech toll can take place immediately via the UTA Service Center through an over-the-air update, or with the device already configured at the time of order. UTA One Next is intended for vehicles with a gross weight above 3.5 tonnes and supports, among others, the toll systems of Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Austria, Poland, Hungary, Spain and the Nordic countries. The device is also ready for the new Dutch toll system, which is scheduled to launch in July 2026. Optional services integrated into the unit include UTA SmartConnect, providing telematics data and real-time fleet tracking. Access to and billing for truck parking across Europe, including secure facilities, is also available in combination with other UTA toll solutions and the UTA Card.
Brittany Ferries emergency plan
Brittany Ferries has activated an emergency plan to ensure continuity of freight flows following the suspension of the intermodal road–rail service between Cherbourg and Bayonne-Mouguerre after a railway accident. The affected service was mainly used by freight forwarders and hauliers for goods traffic between France and Spain. In response to the disruption, Brittany Ferries has put in place an alternative solution based on maritime transport. The plan provides for the activation of a shipping link dedicated exclusively to freight between the port of Poole, in south-west England, and Bilbao, in Spain. The service is operated with the ro-ro vessel Commodore Clipper. The measure is intended to limit the operational impact on intermodal transport and ensure stable capacity for regular customers of the suspended line. The solution will remain in place until the rail connection is restored.
Amazon ultra-fast deliveries in London
Amazon has announced the launch of Amazon Now, a new ultra-fast delivery service that delivers thousands of grocery products and household essentials in around 30 minutes or less. The service is currently being tested in selected postcodes in Southwark, south-east London, with an expansion planned over the coming months. Amazon Now is available seven days a week via app and website and includes thousands of items across 35 categories, including fresh food, personal care products, pet supplies and over-the-counter medicines. The initiative forms part of a strategy to strengthen the logistics network by positioning inventory closer to customers to reduce travel times. According to Amazon, delivery speed is an increasingly important factor for consumers, and delivery times have been reduced in recent years through same-day and one-day options for Prime users. The company reports that groceries and essential goods now account for one in three items ordered each day. At the start of 2025, this category grew at almost twice the rate of others, according to company data. Amazon Now will be gradually rolled out to other areas of the United Kingdom.
Cigarette seizure in Genoa
Officials from the anti-fraud unit of the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli (Customs and Monopolies Agency) in Genoa, together with officers from the provincial command of the Guardia di Finanza (Italian financial police), have seized 9,440 kg of smuggled cigarettes in the port basin of Genoa Prà. The cargo was concealed inside a container arriving from Singapore, shielded by 95 cartons of clothing used as cover goods. Beyond the front cargo, 944 boxes wrapped in jute coverings of different colours were stacked, containing a total of 47,200 cartons of Marlboro cigarettes. The operation was the result of an analysis of commercial routes and documentary checks on flows arriving from the Asian continent to the port of Genoa, a logistics hub for northern Italy and Europe. The value of evaded border duties is estimated at more than €2 million, while the illicit sale on the black market would have generated revenues of around €3 million.
