Multimodal 2024 has seen a record number of visitors through the door at this year’s event, running from 11th to 13th June 2024. With queues forming ahead of the doors opening on the second day of the exhibition, many made the most of the fantastic transport links into Birmingham’s NEC.
Those attending were treated to in-depth sessions demystifying the upcoming changes to UK-EU customs regulations, an issue that has been at the forefront since Brexit in 2020. However, with the introduction of the EU Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), UK businesses face additional complexities and are navigating uncharted waters.
Michael Boulanger and Anne Samson from RM Boulanger provided a deeper understanding of CBAM, and how UK exporters can transform what could be seen as potential barriers into avenues of opportunities. The new policy introduces rules on imports of certain products with a high carbon intensity. Those products need to report the greenhouse gas emissions embedded in their imports.
The focus of talks also shifted to rail, following the government’s recent target setting aimed at growing rail freight up to 75% by 2050. A group panel moderated by Maggie Simpson OBE, Director General for Rail Freight Group, discussed the challenges and opportunities achieving the target will present.
The expert panel from the Rail Freight Group, Logistics UK, Associated British Ports, Freightliner, Solent Stevedores and DP World, were on hand to offer a range of perspectives. The industry must address the capacity and capabilities to achieve such challenging targets.
Over 140 speakers will have taken to the stage over the three-day event, spanning esteemed organisations including Unipart, Boohoo, Kingfisher PLC, Europa Worldwide Group, Howard Tenens Logistics, Freightliner Group Ltd, Kuehne+Nagel Ltd, CEMEX UK and Amazon.
Event Director Robert Jervis commented on this year’s speaker line-up: “This year’s event has seen so many fantastic sessions, covering a wide range of industry topics. No stone has been left unturned when considering sustainability, technology and customs requirements. The future is bright for the logistics industry, and this event continues to be a fantastic moment for those across the full supply chain to connect and network.”
On Thursday 13th June, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal will be visiting the show in her capacity as Patron of Transaid, the international development charity founded by Save the Children, The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), and HRH The Princess Royal.
Find out more about Multimodal here: https://www.multimodal.org.uk/.