New port rail service

The service, operated by GB Railfreight for Maritime Transport, is the 38th for Hutchison Ports Port of Felixstowe and connects the port with Birch Coppice in the Midlands. It is the 15th operated by GB Railfreight and the 12th daily rail connection from the port to destinations in the Midlands.

“Increasing the proportion of traffic moving by rail is an important part of our strategy to offer the widest possible range of sustainable transport options through the Port of Felixstowe,” said Robert Ashton, operations director at the Port of Felixstowe.

“With three dedicated rail terminals at the port we offer more rail services to more inland destinations with greater frequency than any other UK port,” he added.

The average freight train removes up to 76 HGVs from the road, according to Julie Garn, general manager intermodal at GB Railfreight. “Working closely with Maritime Transport and the Port of Felixstowe, this new service will play an important part in alleviating some of the pressure facing the UK supply chain,” she said.

As part of its commitment to reducing carbon, the port recently placed an order for 48 battery-powered terminal tractors and 17 zero-emission remote controlled electric rubber-tyred gantry cranes.