Freight operator GB Railfreight has commenced a new Intermodal service from the rail terminal operated by Solent Stevedores at the Port of Southampton, to East Midlands Gateway, Derby.
This new service, its fourth daily service from one of the UK’s leading deep-sea container ports, marks GBRf’s continued expansion in the intermodal market and underlines the vital role rail freight plays in delivering goods around the country. The new Southampton to East Midlands service will run 5 days a week and represents GBRf’s 20th intermodal service to date.
SEGRO Logistics Park East Midlands Gateway (SLPEMG) is a 700-acre development with planning consent for up to 6,000,000 square ft of logistics accommodation. The 50-acre intermodal terminal, managed by Maritime Transport, operates 24/7 and is able to accommodate up to sixteen 775m freight trains per day. It also provides storage capacity for over 5,000 TEU – which is equal to approximately 45,000 pallets of cargo.
GBRf is able to offer both loaded and empty storage and final-mile delivery, in order to provide a seamless ‘door to door’ opportunity with a combination of rail and road resources. This new service offers the market an additional rail destination and cost-effective transport solution.
An average freight train removes a minimum of 70 HGV journeys from the roads while reducing carbon emissions by about 75 per cent compared to transport by road. When combined with rail’s advantageous performance in terms of nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter emissions, rail freight demonstrates a clear contribution to the challenge of meeting the UK’s net zero carbon targets.
John Smith, managing director of GB Railfreight, said: “I am thrilled to see the beginning of this new service. Our growth in intermodal shows GBRf’s dedication to innovation, offering flexible door-to-door solutions that meet our customers’ needs, as well as a consistently reliable service. We are very proud of the hard work that has been put in to be the industry’s trusted intermodal carrier.
“Today’s announcement also reconfirms GBRf as the rail freight company leading the way to grow the sector at a time of unprecedented economic challenge. In light of the COVID-19 crisis we are redoubling our efforts to put the UK back on track, while also doing our bit to decarbonise our economy.”
Stuart Cullen, executive chairman of Solent Stevedores, added: “Our rail terminal at the Port of Southampton was significantly upgraded last year, increasing our capacity and efficiency and we are delighted to welcome an additional service from GBRf. Now with eight daily intermodal services from the Port of Southampton, this news further strengthens our position as a UK leading rail terminal operator.”
