AV Dawson Transport takes 16 new Volvo FH Aeros

AV Dawson Transport has made a significant investment in its commercial vehicle fleet, taking delivery of 16 new Volvo FH Aero 6×2 tractor units to work predominantly on its growing bulk haulage operations.

AV Dawson is a family-owned, multimodal freight logistics and port operator based on the River Tees in Middlesbrough. With more than 88 years’ experience in the port and logistics sector, the AV Dawson Group is made up of a number of subsidiary businesses including the Port of Middlesbrough, AV Dawson Transport, AVD Industrial and Port Services, and ships agency Cockfield Knight.

The new arrivals are the first Volvos to be put on the road by the business for several years, with 10 of the new units replacing trucks from a rival manufacturer. The remaining six are fleet additions.

The order was placed after the haulier reported strong performance from two demonstrator vehicles.

Charlie Nettle, group managing director, AV Dawson Group, said: “This multi million-pound investment reflects our commitment to strengthening the fleet and ensuring we have the infrastructure, equipment and people in place to support our customers’ evolving needs.

“Our transport business has continued to perform strongly, creating new opportunities across a range of sectors and driving increased demand for our services. This investment ensures we can deliver for our customers with the reliability and responsiveness they have come to expect.

“The bulk sector remains a key strategic focus for us and these new vehicles will support the continued expansion of our tipper operations.”

Supplied by Richard Cope, transport solutions executive at Volvo Truck and Bus North & Scotland, the 16 FH Aeros combine an aerodynamic design with Euro VI-compliant D13K Step E engines, producing 500 hp and a peak torque of 2,500 Nm, said to deliver impressive fuel efficiency.

The engines benefit from turbo compound technology, which introduces an extra turbine after the turbocharger to reuse excess energy from the exhausts and convert it to torque directly on the crankshaft. This combines with Volvo’s popular automated 12-speed I-Shift transmission, which constantly evaluates information about speed, weight, road grade and torque demand to optimise timed gearshifts – helping to further improve efficiency.

Inside the Globetrotter cabs, comfort features include leather seats, fridge/freezer, microwave oven, integrated infotainment and secondary side display system that combines truck-specific navigation, media, and fleet management into a single touchscreen. Ride comfort is also improved with full air suspension.

“We haven’t had Volvos on the fleet for a long time, and we wanted to be sure about the decision,” added Nettle. “We took demonstrator vehicles on for two separate periods, both of which left a positive impression and returned excellent fuel results. The drivers commented on the smooth drive and great comfort in the cab.”

The new units are covered by a Volvo Gold contract, with service and maintenance carried out at Volvo Truck and Bus North & Scotland’s Teesside depot.

The FH Aeros will work double shifts, seven days a week and are expected to clock up in the region of 130,000 km annually. Equipped with hydraulics from Harsh UK, the tractor units will be paired with new tipper trailers that AV Dawson Transport has recently acquired, while also moving other loads including steel, coil and containers.