Longing for improved European transport efficiency

摘要

The latest evidence of growing demand for a relaxation of the European semi-trailer length limit comes'from the Czech Republic. Two 14.9-metre controlled-temperature semitrailers built by Kogel of Germany have been put into service by Delimax of Hodonin, a Czech supplier of fish products and other foodstuffs. The normal length limit for a European semi-trailer is in effect 13.6 metres. The extra 1.3rnmetres of these Kogel Big-Maxx Cool trailers is being used not only to accommodate an additional row of pallets but also to provide more space for cold air to circulate freely around the load, improving temperature control. Transfrigoroute, the European trade association for tern peratu re-controlled operations, has been pressing European legislators to allow an extra 200mm of trailer length to achieve this (Transport Engineer September 2008).