Investment in the UK rail network to accommodate standard sized 9ft 6″ containers on more routes while also enabling additional intermodal freight trains to operate on core corridors, will ensure that the growth in demand for containers to be moved in the UK can be moved by rail.
This view was outlined by Dr Carsten Hinne, Managing Director Logistics for DB Schenker Rail UK, in an address on Friday 11 November, to the International Freight Transport Symposium, London.
Dr Hinne said: “International growth factors have led to a worldwide growth in containerisation, with less bulk goods and more high value industrial goods being shipped.
“As such, efficient logistics solutions have become essential to get products quickly into the hands of end customers.
“With the UK projected to increase the volume of containers shipped in and out of the country year on year, new container terminals and additional paths on core rail corridors from ports and the Channel Tunnel to inland terminals are crucial to accommodate this growth.
“Such investment really does deliver. The investment in the rail network from the Port of Southampton to enable 9ft 6” containers to be moved by rail has worked, with DB Schenker Rail UK hauling 25% more containers from this port since April as a result.
“We are committed on the back of this rail network investment to continue working with port operators to find strategic solutions to enable more containers to be moved by rail, through the introduction of longer and faster intermodal trains across the UK rail network.”
Dr Hinne continued: “The delivery of a fast, efficient intermodal rail network for the UK is happening today, and DB Schenker Rail will deliver services designed to meet customer aspirations to support intermodal rail freight growth.
“As such, this also represents a major opportunity to help decarbonise container transportation by maximising modal shift from road to rail.”
