Martin Harris OBE, UK Ambassador to Romania, officially opened Tibbett Logistics’ second intermodal (road-rail) terminal in Bucharest this week, following a 6.4 million euro investment in the development.
Tibbett Logistics is part of the fast-growing UK-based Keswick Enterprises group.
The opening ceremony at Europolis Park was attended by some 200 guests from multinational manufacturers, retailers, forwarders and shippers, along with other local dignitaries.
His Excellency Ambassador Harris emphasised in his speech the environmental benefits of the new terminal – pointing out in particular that analysts predict savings of 16.6 million tonnes of CO2 a year as a result of fewer truck movements in and around Bucharest because of the terminal development alone.
He commented: “When I arrived in Romania in 2010 one of my first trips was to Constanta, which is one of the largest ports in Europe.
“I found it extraordinary that many companies in Romania preferred to be supplied from Rotterdam, two thousand kilometres away by truck. One year later, that is changing.
“The upgrade to the railway line, and the new intermodal terminal in Bucharest, make Constanta an increasingly attractive option.”
The first stage of Tibbett Logistics’ second intermodal terminal in Bucharest commences operations with 12,000 sq metres of platform and 2.5 km of rail track, plus an accompanying 6,500 sq metre rail-connected warehouse in the middle of the site.
This platform provides an immediate capacity of approximately 1,200 TEU – a figure that is set to double by the fourth quarter of 2012 with the scheduled completion of the second development phase.
As well as block trains operated by Tibbett Logistics itself between Constanta and Bucharest, the terminal is open to all end-users and operators, and will handle trains to/from the EU, Turkey and western Romania. Early 2012 will see the arrival of the first trains with car-transporter wagons.
CEO, David Goldsborough, said:
“This is a proud moment for both Tibbett Logistics and Keswick Enterprises – and it is gratifying to see so many visitors and such interest from the industry.
“With the price of diesel in Romania rising 55% since January 2009, rail-based transport operations have become not only environmentally friendly, but also financially vital.
“The success of any intermodal terminal development rests not only on its facilities, but also on its location. This is where we really score – as freight trains are now able to travel from the port of Constanta almost to the door of the major retailers and manufacturers in Bucharest.
“At this site we are within a few kilometres of all the city’s main industrial and logistics parks – from which the major part of the logistics needs of the nation are served.”
Tibbett Logistics is Romania’s largest privately owned contract logistics specialist.
