Industry big guns prepare for war
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by Miles Brignall • Leading hauliers are bidding for one of the year's most lucrative contracts following the decision by the Ministry of Defence to privatise the haulage of all freight for the armed forces—including weapons and explosives.
Interest in the contract, thought to be worth millions of pounds, had to be registered with the MoD last Monday (21 August). Operators known to have done so include Wincanton and Exel Logistics.
The tender, advertised in the Government's Contracts Bulletin, includes the carriage of explosives and ammunition for all three armed forces as well as express parcels and general freight. The carriage of nuclear weapons is not to be privatised.
More detailed information is expected in September, when firms in the running will be briefed to allow them to submit detailed bids.
Privatisation of defence haulage is intended to cut MolD costs. The sheer size of the contract prohibits most hauliers from entering the bidding. Wincanton immediately indicated an interest, as did NFC (Exel Logistics). Other players might include TDG or BOC but Charles Clarke, head of communications for Tibbett & Britten, says T&B is "not interested".
The MoD says it wants one operator to handle the whole contract and no late expressions of interest will be accepted.
Obvious problem areas include the threat from terrorists when weapons and ammunition are carried.