Freight News, Rail


Freightliner welcomes government rail freight growth plans

[ September 8, 2026   //   ]

Freightliner has welcomed the Government’s new interim rail freight growth target of 40% by 2040. The rail company – now part of the CMA CGM Group – said it was an important stepping stone towards the already published longer-term ambition of 75% growth by 2050.

Freightliner said the 2040 target is particularly significant because the date is now within touching distance, bringing into sharper focus the planning, infrastructure and investment decisions needed to deliver rail freight growth.

For the first time, rail freight growth targets have also been broken down by commodity, with high-value goods, which include intermodal traffic, are expected to grow by 65% by 2040.

The company added that delivering the target will require continued partnership between Government and industry. Alongside investment in network capacity and capability, private sector investment will play a vital role. Freightliner is already investing in 150 new more efficient Shortliner wagons entering service next year and further wagon investment is planned.

Freightliner chief executive, Chris Lawrenson, added: “We see the 2040 target as a floor, not a ceiling. It is an ambitious target, but one we believe rail freight can surpass if Government and industry work together over the coming years to create the framework needed to unlock growth.

“With Government expecting high-value goods, including intermodal traffic, to grow by 65% by 2040, moving more containers by rail will be central to achieving the ambition. As the UK’s largest intermodal rail freight operator, we are already investing in additional capacity and stand ready to play our part in delivering that growth.”

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