Maritime Transport opts for Swedish HGV manufacturers

Maritime Transport has ordered 350 new tractor units consisting of Scania R-series and Volvo FH-460 tractors.

The 330 Scania order is made up of 30 R 410 4x2s and 300 R 450 6x2s, all featuring mid-lift axles, Highline cabs and Opticruise transmissions.

Supplied by Truck East Scania’s East Anglia dealer point, the R-series tractors come with two-year R&M programmes, with the option to extend.

From the order, 260 are scheduled to enter service by the end of 2019, with the remaining 70 set to join Maritime’s fleet a year later.

Spread across its 31 UK depots, the 4x2s will focus on distribution operations, while the 6x2s will work on container and distribution routes.

Fleet director for Maritime Transport Stuart Wardlaw, explained why the company opted for Scania: “Maritime and Scania have enjoyed a long and healthy relationship at all levels, and we are pleased to be continuing our association into 2020 and beyond.”

The 20 Volvo FHs have been specified with Globetrotter cabs from which the external sun visors have been deleted and front bumper spoilers added for improved aerodynamic performance. They all have I-Shift transmissions with dashboard-mounted gear selectors.

Already on the road, the FHs are using Long Haul Fuel software. They have been specified which added gel batteries, clutchable air compressors and variable rate steering pumps.

Wardlaw stated: “We’ve done a lot of research with Richard Sharples and Andrew Low at Volvo Trucks UK to put together an ultimate fuel saving specification for these Volvo FH’s and are confident the new vehicles will benefit our expanding fleet.”

Supplied with a two year Volvo Blue Service Contract, the FH’s will continue with Maritime for five years after the initial contract ends.