EV Cargo Reforges Future on Global Forwarding, Sells UK Arm to WS Holdco

HONG KONG and LONDON – March 17, 2026 – In a landmark strategic overhaul, global logistics giant EV Cargo is divesting its UK-based Solutions division to sharpen its focus on its international freight forwarding operations. The move will see the company concentrate on an asset-light, technology-driven model, while the divested arm is set to become part of a strengthened UK transport powerhouse led by industry veteran William Stobart.

EV Cargo announced today that it will sell its Solutions division, which includes domestic transport and contract logistics, to WS Holdco. The transaction marks a pivotal moment for both entities, signaling a strategic divergence where EV Cargo doubles down on its global ambitions and WS Holdco consolidates its command of the UK domestic market.

Following the sale, for which financial terms were not disclosed, EV Cargo plans to leverage a stronger, debt-reduced balance sheet to accelerate investment in artificial intelligence, customer-facing technology, and targeted growth within its global forwarding network.

A Strategic Pivot to an Asset-Light Future

For EV Cargo, this decision is a return to its roots, albeit with a futuristic lens. The company's heritage traces back to the founding of Allport in 1963, a firm dedicated to managing international supply chains. The newly focused EV Cargo Global Forwarding is a formidable player, handling approximately 350,000 TEUs of ocean freight and over 100,000 tonnes of air freight annually.

By shedding its domestic transport and warehousing assets, EV Cargo is embracing an 'asset-light' model—a growing trend in the logistics sector. This strategy prioritizes flexibility and capital efficiency, allowing the company to scale operations without the constraints of owning and maintaining a large physical infrastructure. The move will free up capital to be channeled directly into its core global forwarding platform, which spans 21 countries with a workforce of around 1,300 professionals.

"Diversification helped us build scale, resilience and capability," said Heath Zarin, Founder and Executive Chairman of EV Cargo, in a statement. "Now, increased focus will help us unlock the full potential of our global forwarding network."

This sharpened focus is designed to enhance customer value and generate more sustainable returns. Zarin added, "With a focused strategy, a global forwarding platform... and a clear sense of mission, values and purpose, we are extremely excited about EV Cargo’s future and the role we will play as a trusted global forwarding partner for years to come."

The Rise of a UK Logistics Powerhouse

The sale simultaneously marks a significant expansion for the buyer, WS Holdco. The acquisition of EV Cargo's Solutions business is a transformative step for the UK-focused platform, which is led by William Stobart and backed by private equity firm DBAY Advisors.

William Stobart is a towering figure in UK logistics, with a career deeply intertwined with the iconic Eddie Stobart haulage empire. Having served in top executive roles at Stobart Group and Eddie Stobart Logistics, and more recently as Deputy Group CEO at Culina Group, his leadership of WS Holdco lends immediate and substantial credibility to the venture. DBAY Advisors has a history of partnering with Stobart, having previously backed the 2014 acquisition of a majority stake in Eddie Stobart Logistics.

WS Holdco's existing portfolio already includes The Alternative Parcels Company (APC), the UK's largest independent parcel delivery network, alongside specialists like William Stobart & Son. The integration of EV Cargo's Solutions division, with its strong road logistics operations and blue-chip customer contracts, is projected to create a combined group with annual revenues exceeding £300 million. This consolidation creates a formidable new force in the UK's competitive domestic logistics landscape, poised to offer a more integrated suite of services.

EV Cargo expressed confidence in the transition, stating that the Solutions division, its employees, and its customers will benefit from being part of a group whose core strategy is squarely focused on UK-based transport, with dedicated capital for fleet and depot investment.

Fueling Growth with AI and Digital Transformation

Central to EV Cargo's new strategy is a profound commitment to technology, particularly artificial intelligence. The company has long signaled its ambition to lead the digital transformation of logistics, and this strategic pivot provides the financial firepower to realize that vision. The proceeds from the sale are earmarked for accelerating the adoption of AI and other technologies across its global operations.

EV Cargo's proprietary digital platform, "ONE EV Cargo," is at the heart of this plan. The company also intends to expand its SaaS product, "EV Source," which is designed to enhance supply chain visibility, efficiency, and sustainability from sourcing through to final delivery. This focus aligns with powerful industry trends, where data and predictive analytics are becoming as critical as the physical movement of goods. Research from firms like Accenture indicates a strong push within the sector to reinvent supply chains using generative AI, suggesting EV Cargo's strategy is well-timed.

By investing in these technologies, the company aims to deliver superior value to the global brands it serves, offering enhanced tracking, route optimization, predictive risk management, and greater overall efficiency. This tech-first approach is seen as essential for competing in a global forwarding market beset by challenges like port congestion, regulatory complexity, and volatile shipping costs.

This strategic split exemplifies a defining trend in the modern logistics industry: the simultaneous need for both global, digitally-native networks and consolidated, asset-strong domestic players. As EV Cargo charts a course across the world's oceans and airways powered by data, WS Holdco is set to strengthen its grip on the roads and warehouses of the United Kingdom, creating two distinct, more specialized leaders from a single entity.