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Maritime Transport to run West Mids rail terminal

[ April 12, 2024   //   ]

Real estate firm Oxford Properties Group and developer Logistics Capital Partners have signed an exclusive agreement with Maritime Transport to operate West Midlands Interchange, which it describes as the UK’s largest logistics development.

Maritime Transport will become long-term operator of WMI’s rail freight interchange on the West Coast main line, which will sit alongside 8 million sq ft of warehousing near junction 12 of the M6 north of Birmingham.

The first phase of development has already started at the 734-acre site.

Oxford Properties senior vice president, James Boadle, said:  “This next step to create the leading intermodal logistics facility in the UK’s Golden Triangle is a significant one. Maritime are the leaders in their field, and WMI is the leading logistics development in the country – the two coming together will deliver a significant boost to the regional and national economy.

“Demand for best-in-class logistics space that’s sustainable and well connected continues to significantly outstrip supply. With WMI poised to reduce up to 50 million kilometres of HGV traffic annually, today marks yet another milestone for a project that exemplifies both Oxford’s conviction in UK logistics, and our commitment to ESG.”

Maritime Group executive chairman, John Williams added: “As the leading road and rail freight logistics provider in the UK, West Midlands Interchange is the obvious next addition to our rail network. 

“Being the long-term operator of WMI fits exactly with our wider strategy of decarbonising the full load supply chain by moving cargo closer to the end user by rail.  

“We have already substantially increased container movements by rail, from 6% in 2019 to over 24% in 2023. 

“We are committed to this strategy of decarbonising which will lead to the introduction of BEV (Battery Electric Vehicle) effecting the first and final mile transport, creating the most sustainable full load supply chain network in the UK.

“As part of the process of preparing to operate from WMI we have submitted a planning application for our site offices and will be contacting neighbouring residents in due course.”

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