A combined fleet of nearly 24,000 road vehicles from more than 700 logistics businesses is being offered to government free of charge to distribute critical medical and food supplies.

The donation of 23,500 vehicles was announced by the Association of Pallet Networks (APN) yesterday (Wednesday, March 25).

The APN has more than 750 depots and offers 100 per cent national coverage by postcode.

Pallet networks enable overnight deliveries of consignments of any size to anywhere in the UK.

The model is useful because many users of essential goods like medical supplies and food are “requiring small frequent deliveries of vital goods with many drop points in a given locality,” Loadstar reported.

APN chairman Paul Sanders told Lloyd’s Loading List:

“We would urge the government to take advantage of our unique skills set and infrastructure at this time of national crisis.”

Regional members collect freight locally, transport it to the most appropriate regional hub, before it is reloaded for transportation to a destination area.

Last year the networks delivered 26 million pallets of goods.

More donated services

Pallet networks are not alone in offering free support at this crucial time. Loadstar has reported:

·         Warehousing marketplace Stowga, which connects suppliers with buyers, will now be free to use to ensure supply chain keeps moving

·         Forwarder Ligentia is offering free storage space in its Chinese warehouses for up to four weeks, allowing companies greater control on inventory and reduced pressure on time-sensitive shipments

·         Online payment platform PayCargo launched a free communication service to allow its community to connect more easily to find capacity

These acts of goodwill come as the PM yesterday thanked key workers, including those in the transport industry, for “keeping this country going”.