A UNIQUE cross-Solent freight partnership is up for an award.

The Isle of Wight’s largest independent freight carrier, Steve Porter Transport, Southampton-based Meachers Global Logistics, and Solent ferry operator, Red Funnel Ferries, have been shortlisted for the Partnership Award in the Motor Transport Awards.

The three have been recognised for the formation of a Solent Alliance – an innovative partnership facilitating smarter deliveries to the Island since 2012.

Steve Porter Transport managing director, Malcolm Gibson, said: “The initial partnership was conceived to reduce duplication across our respective networks. The arrangement made it possible for Meachers to trunk our overnight groupage loads from the Isle of Wight to our Midlands Distribution Centres in Northampton and Coventry, for onward national distribution.

“In turn, we as Red Funnel’s preferred freight partner, have the ability to bring in consignments, via Meachers, destined for the Island.”

The operation includes a bespoke cross-Solent drop-trailer service, which provides significant commercial advantages to supermarkets, retailers and organisations moving high volumes of cross-Solent freight.

Gary Whittle, commercial director at Meachers said: “This innovative operation is the first of its kind in the UK and draws upon the strengths of each organisation to overcome the many unique challenges of delivering goods to the Isle of Wight. The service opens up a whole range of new benefits for customers, while providing huge efficiencies for each organisation.”

Such is the success of the partnership, it has evolved from its original purpose, with the launch of a Southampton-based cross-Solent consolidation service – the Sustainable Distribution Centre.

Lee Hudson, revenue director at Red Funnel said: “Our successful partnership enables Red Funnel to focus on its core ferry and leisure business rather than road haulage, which is best left to the experts like Steve Porter Transport.”

The winners of the 2017 Motor Transport Awards will be announced at a special event in London later this month.