Maritime Transport has introduced two intermodal rail services linking DP World London Gateway with its inland terminals at Hams Hall and iPort Doncaster.
Operating Monday to Saturday, the new services began last week in partnership with GB Railfreight.
They were launched in response to rising volumes at DP World London Gateway, where a £1 billion ($1.3 billion) expansion project is set to start this month to boost port capacity.
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John Bailey, Managing Director – Intermodal, Maritime Transport, said: “London Gateway is seeing strong growth in container volumes, supported by its role in the Gemini Cooperation’s Asia–Europe network and a major expansion project that will further strengthen its position as one of the UK’s leading deep-sea ports.
“These new rail services provide the additional capacity needed to support that growth, enhance our national network, and enable a more meaningful shift from road to rail as part of a lower-carbon, more efficient UK supply chain.”
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Julie Garn, Intermodal Director, GB Railfreight, stated: “Rail plays a hugely important role in our national supply chains. In addition to driving our economy, moving goods by rail reduces emissions and supports the UK’s transition to more sustainable transport.
“Using rail freight reduces carbon emissions by c.76 per cent compared to road. These new services are a great example of what long-term collaboration can achieve, delivering practical, lower-carbon alternatives to road that benefit the wider supply chain.”