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Immingham gains first rail box service

[ November 1, 2021   //   ]

DFDS and iPort Rail have launched a container rail service between the port of Immingham and the inland terminal in Doncaster.

The Humber Express will initially operate twice a day but the operation could be scaled up significantly, said the two partners. Initially, the trains can handle 22 containers each but this could also be scaled up to up to 36 boxes.

Although the port of Immingham is a major generator of bulk rail freight, Humber Express is believed to be the first regular intermodal operation at the port. Immingham handles regular ro ro freight services to and from Scandinavia and the north-west Continent that can carry containers as well as trailers and wheeled cargo.

Managing director of DFDS in Immingham, Andrew Byrne said: “The logistics industry is facing one of its largest challenges in a generation. There are additional complexities due to Brexit still impacting on supply chains, and the current shortage of lorry drivers is threatening to undo years of development of efficient just in time operations that rely on supply chains that operate equally as quickly and proficiently.

“With tens of thousands of containers, tank containers and trade vehicles moving in and out of the Port of Immingham every year the fact none of these are moved by rail is something that has long needed addressing. I am delighted that DFDS and iPort Rail have had the courage and commitment to make it happen.”

Managing director of iPort Rail, Steve Freeman, added: “Rail is already a greener alternative for moving goods long distance by road and is being adopted by more businesses to help make their supply chains more sustainable. It also has an important role to play in keeping goods moving while the road haulage industry is under such pressure. This new service offers businesses a reliable and efficient route to and from the Port of Immingham with the option for customs clearance in Doncaster and seamless onward transit.”

iPort Rail is part of the iPort multimodal logistics hub close to the M18 in Doncaster. The 800-acre site includes speculative and built to suit warehousing as well as a multimodal freight terminal that can accommodate the UK’s longest freight trains.

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