Ferryspeed fleet grows with 30 DAF tractors
Jersey-based freight company Ferryspeed has put 30 DAF tractor units into service to support growth in its services in mainland UK and to the Channel Islands.
The vehicles are based on the mainland, mainly at the company’s 10 acre Portsmouth site with some operating out of a depot it opened in Rugby last year.
The new DAFs bring the Ferryspeed mainland fleet to 50, and it has over 400 trailers. A further 80 vehicles are operated on Jersey and Guernsey and there are ten rigids operating out of Portsmouth on Palletways work for which it holds the franchise covering PO post codes.
All of the new trucks are 6×2 FTG XF105 models for operation at 44 tonnes and featuring a mid-lift axle to reduce tyre wear when running unladen. Power is from the 12.9 litre MX engine rated at 460 bhp (340 kW) at 1900 rpm and delivering 2300 Nm of torque at between 1000 and 1410 rpm. The engine is matched to a 12 speed AS-tronic automated transmission. The company has opted for the Space cab model, which provides drivers with a spacious and comfortable working and rest environment.
Amongst the trailers they are running with are 10 Gray & Adams refrigerated units. These 13.6 metre long high-cube trailers are to a chassis-less design and are fitted with a lifting deck from the swan neck to the rear to give them a 40 pallet capacity. A Frigoblock refrigeration system is installed in the swan neck area with a remote evaporator on each deck to provide the temperature control.
Established in 1985, Ferryspeed specialises in the movement of ambient and temperature controlled freight under HACCP standards from mainland UK to Jersey, Guernsey and the Isle of Wight. It has also recently opened a new facility in Rugby its Midlands location and aims to achieve even further growth through the development of both the Channel Island IoW services.
The growth has come both organically and as a result of the demise last year of a competitor serving the Channel Islands market. As a result Ferryspeed now ships over 50 trailers a day consisting of 1,000 consignments, amounting to 500,000 pallet loads a year, are handled on behalf of numerous blue chip retail companies with operations on the Islands and Island based food producers.
DAF dealer Adams Morey of Southampton supplied the trucks and will provide service and parts support through its Portsmouth dealership.
