Northern Ireland needs its own Freight and Logistics Strategy

Logistics UK is calling on the Northern Ireland Executive to develop a dedicated Northern Ireland Freight and Logistics Strategy, arguing that coordinated policies are needed to strengthen economic growth, resilience and supply chain efficiency. During meetings with Northern Ireland ministers and Assembly representatives, Logistics UK highlighted priorities including increased long-term infrastructure investment, a cost-effective transition to greener logistics and joint efforts to attract new talent into the sector. The organisation says a dedicated strategy would help address the unique challenges facing logistics operators in Northern Ireland, including regulatory complexity, higher operating costs and the movement of goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland, while supporting future investment and growth. Logistics is a crucial enabler of Northern Ireland’s economy and, with the right policies in place, the sector can play an even greater role in driving growth and resilience. That’s the message that Logistics UK’s Chief Executive Ben Fletcher delivered to Northern Ireland’s politicians as he called for the development of a dedicated Northern Ireland Freight and Logistics Strategy. During a visit to Northern Ireland, Mr Fletcher and colleagues met with key political figures including Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Dr Steve Aitken OBE MLA, to outline Logistics UK’s priorities and discuss how the sector can further Northern Ireland’s growth ambitions. Discussions focused on achieving greater long-term investment into infrastructure, a fair transition to a green economy and collaborative action to promote careers in logistics to young people and jobseekers. Ben Fletcher said: “The logistics sector is crucial to Northern Ireland’s economic growth, resilience, trade, jobs and decarbonisation, with more than 6,000 logistics businesses working to supply households and communities with everything they need. “While Northern Ireland’s economy has outperformed the rest of the UK in recent years, long-term investment in infrastructure must be prioritised to support efficient logistics and regionally balanced growth in the future. That is why we’re highlighting the delivery of the A5 as a priority, alongside a green transition that keeps costs down and supply chains resilient. “Our member businesses also want to work with policymakers to promote the industry to young people and jobseekers, helping the sector attract new talent and address a widening capability gap.” As these priorities cut across different departments, Mr Fletcher stressed that a Northern Ireland freight and logistics strategy is essential, as success will depend on collaboration and coordination: “Logistics businesses continue to operate on narrow profit margins and face daily pressures such as regulatory complexity and additional costs,” continued Mr Fletcher. “A Northern Ireland Freight and Logistics Strategy that tackles the specific challenges for those operating in Northern Ireland as well as those moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland will be key to enabling further growth and building resilience. “We’re asking the Northern Ireland Executive to work more closely with the logistics sector, to unlock investment and maximise the value our industry delivers. We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Northern Ireland’s policymakers and advocating for our members.”