During a visit to Northern Ireland, Logistics UK’s Chief Executive Ben Fletcher met with key political figures
Northern Ireland needs a dedicated freight and logistics strategy to unlock investment, strengthen supply chains and support long-term economic growth, Logistics UK has said.
The business group said logistics is a crucial part of Northern Ireland’s economy and could play an even greater role in supporting growth and resilience if the right policies are put in place.
Logistics UK chief executive Ben Fletcher made the call during a visit to Northern Ireland, where he met politicians and industry figures to discuss the sector’s priorities.
He met Infrastructure Minister Liz Kimmins and Deputy Speaker of the Northern Ireland Assembly Dr Steve Aitken OBE MLA, among others.
Discussions focused on long-term infrastructure investment, a fair transition to a greener economy and joint action to encourage more young people and jobseekers into logistics careers.
Mr Fletcher said the sector was central to Northern Ireland’s economy.
“The logistics sector is crucial to Northern Ireland’s economic growth, resilience, trade, jobs and decarbonisation,” he said.
He said more than 6,000 logistics businesses were working to supply households and communities with the goods they need.
Mr Fletcher said Northern Ireland’s economy had performed strongly in recent years, but warned that long-term infrastructure investment must now be prioritised.
He said investment was needed to support efficient logistics and more balanced regional growth, with delivery of the A5 highlighted as a key priority.
A green transition that keeps costs down and protects resilient supply chains was also needed, he said.
Mr Fletcher said logistics businesses also wanted to work with policymakers to promote the sector to young people and jobseekers.
He said this would help attract new talent and address a “widening capability gap”.
Logistics UK said the sector’s priorities cut across several government departments, making a dedicated Northern Ireland freight and logistics strategy essential.
Mr Fletcher said success would depend on stronger collaboration and coordination.
“Logistics businesses continue to operate on narrow profit margins and face daily pressures such as regulatory complexity and additional costs,” he said.
He said a Northern Ireland Freight and Logistics Strategy should tackle the specific challenges facing operators within Northern Ireland, as well as those moving goods between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
Such a strategy would be “key to enabling further growth and building resilience”, he added.
Mr Fletcher said Logistics UK wanted the Northern Ireland Executive to work more closely with the sector to unlock investment and maximise its value to the economy.
“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,” he said.
“We look forward to continuing to collaborate with Northern Ireland’s policymakers and advocating for our members.”
During the visit, Mr Fletcher and colleagues also met Philip Brett MLA, chair of the Northern Ireland Assembly’s Committee for the Economy, and Stuart Anderson, director of public affairs and international relations at the Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce.
Logistics UK said its members span road, rail, water and air, as well as businesses that rely on freight services, including retailers and manufacturers.
The group said the movement of goods was becoming increasingly important as decarbonisation, new technology and changing border requirements reshape supply chains across the UK.