As freight crime incidents continue to affect operators nationwide, business group Logistics UK has formed a partnership with TAPA EMEA, the Transported Asset Protection Association’s Europe, Middle East & Africa region, to help build information sharing and resilience across the logistics industry.
“The safety and security of our members’ staff while delivering for the economy is of paramount importance,” says Maddi Solloway-Price, Logistics UK’s Head of Road Freight Policy, “which makes our partnership with TAPA EMEA such a great fit for us. As the world’s leading supply chain security and resilience association, TAPA EMEA is committed to helping minimise losses from its members through information sharing, training and monitoring – all elements of moving goods which we are keen to help our members improve. By tapping into their expertise, and sharing our own knowledge with them, we are confident that the partnership will help to drive awareness of and create solutions for future issues, before they occur.”
“Growing industry collaboration to highlight the threat of cargo crime to supply chains in the UK, and increasing awareness at a government level, is very encouraging. TAPA EMEA and our members are only too aware of the high level of freight crime across the UK. As well as gathering and sharing more intelligence to understand when, where, and how these crimes occur, we also encourage industry stakeholders to use the various security and crime prevention solutions already available to reduce the chances of falling victim to cargo crime,” said TAPA EMEA’s President & CEO, Thorsten Neumann.
“These include our own supply chain security Standards for facilities, trucking, secure parking, and cyber security as well as Driver Security Guides and training courses, all created to minimise supply chain losses,” he added.
Establishing a working partnership with TAPA EMEA is the latest step on Logistics UK’s path to improving driver safety and welfare for all its members. The development comes hot on the heels of other agreements which have been established in recent months with NAVCiS (the National Vehicle Crime and Intelligence Service) and the app-based service Motorway Buddy, both with the intention of improving reporting around vehicle crime and highlighting ways for drivers to avoid and prevent potential criminal attacks on vehicles.
“Logistics UK is redoubling its efforts to improve the safety and security of hauliers operating on the UK’s strategic road network,” continues Ms Solloway-Price, “by improving information flows across the industry and sharing best practice to keep drivers and their vehicles as safe as possible. Our industry is one that the economy relies upon to deliver on time and our drivers are the backbone of that service – any information and guidance that we can share between our organisations will help to keep us all as well informed as possible to counteract potential criminal attacks. Meanwhile, we will continue to share all intelligence that we gather with government representatives as we press for an improved nationwide network of secure parking and rest facilities.”
As part of the new partnership, representatives of Logistics UK will be attending the annual conference organised by TAPA EMEA, to discuss ways of working together and sharing information with their members. This follows on from recent round tables held in London and Edinburgh with Rachel Taylor MP and representatives of the Scottish government where Logistics UK members outlined the challenges which are currently being faced by drivers when out on the UK’s roads.
“Those of us who work in offices take it for granted that we are safe and secure at work, and can take a comfortable rest when the working day ends,” Ms Solloway-Price continues. “This is not a done deal for our logistics drivers – but in partnership with TAPA EMEA, NAVCIS and Motorway Buddy, Logistics UK is committed to driving change from the government.”
Harry Hughes, TAPA EMEA’s UK Regional Lead, added:
“It’s easy to dismiss the impact of cargo crime, until you suffer a major loss. Then, the reality kicks in. Attacks on supply chains not only put frontline staff at risk, the resulting high-value losses can pose a real threat to customer relationships, too. By working more closely with Logistics UK and other partners in the UK, we believe we can collectively make a positive difference to the resilience of our national and cross-border supply chains.”
Separately, Logistics UK has highlighted that EES delays must be avoided at all costs.
Sunday, 12 October 2025 sees the implementation of the EU’s long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES). Business group Logistics UK says it is essential the EU sticks to its promise of a phased roll out, to ensure there are no delays and disruption for freight traffic at the Short Straits crossings between the UK and France.
Under EES, the EU’s new border processes will automatically register non-EU citizens as they cross the borders of the 29 European countries in the Schengen area. On the first visit, travellers will need to create a digital record by submitting biometric details. The EES only applies within the Schengen area which means the Republic of Ireland and Cyprus are not impacted by the new requirements and EES is not applicable when travelling to either of these countries.
“It is essential that the new border systems are implemented gradually to keep traffic flowing and trade moving,” comments Logistics UK Policy Manager – Trade, Customs and Borders Josh Fenton.
“Almost 60% of UK-EU trade in goods travels via the Short Straits, which equates to thousands of vehicles every day. The additional time required for passengers to register biometric details when they leave the UK has the potential to cause knock on delays for freight traffic and disrupt the UK’s supply chain. It is more than just an inconvenience: our analysis shows that even a 90 minute delay for the 3.35 million HGVs that pass through the Short Straits would cost the economy £400 million per year.
“The logistics sector has been preparing for the changes for some time, as EES was originally planned to be implemented in 2024. The delay to its introduction, that Logistics UK was instrumental in securing, was necessary and means the new processes can be introduced with minimum disruption – as long as they are phased in as expected. However, disruption is inevitable as travellers register their details on the system, so we are urging member businesses moving goods to the continent to allow additional journey time. To prevent any disruption in the future, Logistics UK is calling on the UK Government to work with the French government to develop an app for so EES registration can be carried out remotely and away from the border.”
As Fenton continues, EES has also thrown up an additional consideration for transport operators – automatic enforcement of the requirement that non-EU citizens are restricted to spending 90 days in previous 180 in the EU:
“The new EES system will automatically log time spent within the Schengen area, so it is essential that drivers comply with the current legal requirement of only spending 90 of the previous 180 days in the Schengen area. It is important to remember that both personal travel and commercial work contribute to the 90 days – personal holidays count towards the total. As the new system will automatically detect overstayers, drivers and operators need to ensure they remain compliant.
“The current 90/180 day rule does not support smooth trade between the UK and EU and Logistics UK is calling for the UK government to seek an exemption from the EU for professional drivers. This will ensure they can continue to deliver the goods that businesses and consumers across Europe rely on that help drive growth. Until that happens, drivers must comply with the legislation to ensure there is no disruption to their operations.”
