Maritime Transport will build, lease and manage Tritax Symmetry’s proposed £750 million ($953 million) Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at Hinckley National Rail Freight Interchange (HNRFI).
The company stated that once fully operational, a 40-acre SRFI will be capable of processing 16 trains each day.
At full capacity, the SRFI will reportedly eliminate over 83 million HGV miles off the UK’s road network. The substantial number of products moved from road to rail might save around 70,120 tonnes of CO2 per year.
The new terminal, which will be built with 7 million square feet of prime warehouse space, is slated to improve rail freight links between the Midlands and the key ports of Felixstowe, Liverpool, London Gateway, Southampton, Teesport and Mossend, which service Scotland.
The scheme remains dependent on the Secretary of State for Transport’s approval of a Development Consent Order; the outcome is due in September 2024.
READ: Maritime Transport set for multimillion-pound expansion at Port of Liverpool
John Williams, Executive Chairman of Maritime Transport, said: “This development will strengthen our rail-connected network and our strategy of decarbonising the full load supply chain in the UK, moving cargo closer to the end user by rail.
“Our strategy of decarbonising the supply chain will extend to the introduction of BEV (Battery Electric Vehicles) to perform first and final mile transport, creating the most sustainable full load networked, intermodal logistics offering for occupiers at HNRFI and beyond.”
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Maggie Simpson, Director General, Rail Freight Group, stated: “The development of a national network of strategic rail freight interchanges is paramount to ensuring the long-term future viability of the UK Government’s target to enhance modal shift of freight from road to rail.
“We are encouraged by Tritax and Maritime’s commitment to rail freight, and this display of support for the UK’s latest SRFI before the DCO decision is determined is extremely welcome for advancement of sustainable, rail-based logistics.”
In November 2023, Maersk’s containership, the Mumbai Maersk, established a new record for the deepest draft vessel to call at the Port of Felixstowe.
