Fleet Transport June 2020

term Supply Chain Sustainability requires
a multi-layered approach looking at
environmental benefits, economic benefit to
companies cost to serve, warehouse facilities
and supply chain design. A green Supply
Chain is an enabler to business growth via
improved service offerings, lower cost base
and greener credentials.”
On 23 April, the IEA hosted a second
webinar on the subject ‘Race towards a
Green Supply Chain’ with presentations
from Maeve Morrissey, SME Programme
Executive, Sustainable Energy Authority of
Ireland (SEAI), Kasia Steyn, Freight Services
Executive, Irish Rail and Howard Knott,
Logistics Consultant. Attendees were briefed
on who are the main players in greening the
supply chain, on the 2030 model supply
chain and energy and climate change, and
where to get help on those matters.
Maeve Morrissey from SEAI announced the
launch of an online energy academy to help
businesses cut energy costs. Their online
training is free, quick, and easy and can be
completed by employees from home.
Kasia Steyn promoted the merits of rail freight
to help reduce transport’s carbon footprint:
“I was delighted with an opportunity to
present at the Irish Exporters Association
Webinar on Green Supply Chains and
highlight the great benefits of using Rail
for moving freight. I am also thankful to
Fleet Transport Magazine for featuring an
article on same in their Ezine. Rail freight is
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truly an environmentally friendly mode of
transport with so many other added benefits
such as punctuality, reliability, safety and
efficiency. It’s worth noting rail freight is
not affected by COVID-19 crisis and our
dedicated frontline staff ensure supply chains
remain intact.”
Howard Knott spoke in a similar vein,
focussing on alternative drivetrains: “My
purpose in my presentations to these
webinars was to explain to the participants
just how quickly the different modes of
freight transport are developing, each
steadily reducing its environmental footprint.
Manufacturing companies operating from
Irish locations are under increasing pressure
to ensure that the supply chains being used
for both their export shipments and their raw
material procurement operate with minimal
climate impact.
In the discussions following the presentations
it became clear that, despite the substantial
availability and steadily dropping prices of
fossil fuels, the progress towards a lower
carbon world was relentless. The single most
important development will be in the area of
electric power generation. The production of
significantly increased electric power both
on the national and international grids and
within individual enterprises will enable the
use of battery propulsion for trucks, trains
and ships, perhaps, even aircraft. It will
also enable the production of Hydrogen to
power vehicles of all kinds with zero carbon
footprint. The webinar series is becoming
WEBINARS | 19
a significant medium through which the
IEA can develop its thoughts in this vital
Green Technology area and contribute to
the national discussion.”
The recordings of the webinars are available
on www.irishexporters.ie/webinars/
Also under the IEA’s 2020 Export Series’
banner, another webinar brought the
COVID-19 experiences of Irish Ambassadors
around the world to the fore. The IEA heard
from the Ambassadors of Ireland to China,
Italy, Germany, France, Spain, Sweden and
the USA. “Irish businesses export to and
have bases in all parts of the globe and it is
imperative that they understand the situation
in different countries and supports that may
be available. Each country has responded
in varying degrees to the crisis, but all with
the one premise, to contain the virus and
protect lives. The Ambassadors also gave
an insight into how the Embassies and staff
have adapted to the respective restrictions
and day to day life in the different countries,”
explained Simon McKeever, Chief Executive
at the Irish Exporters Association.
On 1 April, the Irish Ambassador to Italy
took part in a webinar and went through the
economic impact that the crisis is having
on Italy and on the Italian Government’s
work to keep trade moving. On the specific
economic relationship between Ireland and
Italy, the Ambassador commented that
“chemicals, pharmaceuticals and medical
equipment make up approximately 75% of
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