bpost group reduces truck journeys by 30% with double deck trailers. A first in Belgium’s parcels sector

• + 60% more capacity transported in a single journey
• - 30% of journeys and kilometres travelled by 2030
• Fewer trucks on roads and motorways thanks to the introduction of the DDT

While bpost group plans to gradually replace its entire truck fleet with LNG vehicles, the company confirms once again its more environmentally friendly transport ambitions by rolling out double deck trailers (DDT) for letters and parcels.

bpost group plans to purchase more than 320 double deck trailers by 2030, and up to 550 more in the following 20 years, a first in the parcels sector in Belgium. They will replace the standard large trailers, leading to a 30% reduction in the number of journeys and kilometres covered by 2030.

Transport is a major challenge for bpost group. Parcel volumes are increasing at a constant rate every year (+78.4% in the second quarter of 2020), demanding a well-considered general strategy to control the impact of these activities on the environment and on transport infrastructure.

Higher volume, fewer kilometres and journeys on the roads

DDTs are part of bpost group’s strategy to manage the constant growth of its activities in a sustainable way. Standing four metres high, these trailers have two 1.8m decks across a standard length of 13.60m. This means they can convey 60% more parcels and letters per journey than the large trailers currently on the road. 

Advantages of double deck trailers

-        Higher capacity: every DDT can accommodate 70 wheeled containers, compared with the 44 the current large trailers can convey. That is a 60% hike in capacity.

-        Fewer journeys and kilometres covered: unique journeys and total distance covered using DDTs down 30% by 2030 and down 40% by 2040.

-        Fewer trucks on the road: 730 trucks in the bpost group fleet by 2030, compared with almost 860 if DDT are not introduced.

-        DDTs require a CE driving licence, which all bpost group drivers hold. Nevertheless, bpost group has set up special trainings for all its drivers.

Double deck trailers will be gradually introduced over the next few years. Five have already been introduced at the bpost group sorting centres in Liege, Charleroi, Brussels, Ghent and Antwerp.  These will enable the company, with the support of the drivers, to optimise the operational processes before the future rollout of the DDTs.

bpost group, driving change towards sustainable transport

The introduction of DDTs is one of the many innovative initiatives and solutions adopted by the company to achieve its targets with regard to cutting the carbon emissions generated by its activities.

For several years, bpost group has been upgrading its fleet in line with the changing demands of society. The company now has a large fleet of zero-carbon and low-carbon vehicles, including 3500 bikes, 2900 e-bikes, 500 electric trikes, 20 or so electric cargo trikes and dozens of Colibuses and electric vans. The number of bike trailers will double to more than 50 this autumn.

These vehicles, whose number will grow over the next few years, make bpost group a leading promoter of sustainable transport. 

In July the company launched a large-scale pilot project in association with the local authorities in Mechelen with the aim of achieving zero-emission deliveries of letters and parcels in the city. bpost group is looking to roll out the initiative in all other interested cities in the future.

Lastly, bpost group is investing in trucks running on liquified natural gas (LNG) to replace all old trucks for long-distance journeys over the next few years.

This long list of projects gives bpost group the capacity to sustain the growth of its parcel activities, which are key to the viability and continuity of the company, while continuing to play an active role in collective environmental and transport-related efforts.