Freight News, Logistics, Rail


Maritime Transport unveils Northants rail hub

[ March 2, 2026   //   ]

Maritime Transport officially opened its Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at Segro Logistics Park Northampton on 27 February.

The logistics company, now owned by MSC’s Medlog arm, now operates nine rail freight terminals. The Northampton site provides direct northbound and southbound connections to the West Coast Main Line and was delivered through an £80m investment by Segro as an open-access facility. The 17-acre terminal can accommodate the UK’s longest and heaviest freight trains and up to 16 services per day, with container storage capacity exceeding 2,500 TEU.

SRFI is already operating a five-day-a-week intermodal service to and from DP World Southampton, the first to operate over the full length of the reinstated Oxford–Bletchley section of East West Rail. Additional rail services are planned as part of a phased expansion programme to deep-sea ports and other UK freight interchanges.

SLPN is next to Junction 15 of the M1, with 90% of the UK population within a four-hour drive. The development spans 600 acres and will ultimately deliver around 5m sq ft of logistics accommodation. 

As a lead partner in the government-backed Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator programme, Maritime is deploying more than 50 heavy electric trucks nationwide and developing one of the UK’s largest privately operated charging networks for large vehicles, including its new Northampton hub.

At the ceremony, Maritime Transport executive chairman, said: “Moving freight from road to rail remains one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions across the supply chain. Since 2019, we have invested more than £100 million in developing our rail terminal network, with further investment planned to increase national capacity, strengthen connectivity between the UK’s major ports and inland markets, and expand the rail capability available to our customers. We are committed to creating the cleanest, most sustainable full-load supply chain in the country, utilising rail for long-distance journeys and eHGVs for first and final miles, and Northampton Gateway Rail Freight Terminal is an important step in delivering that ambition.”

Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy added: “Our Railways Bill includes both a growth target and a duty on Great British Railways to promote rail freight. It was brilliant to be at the opening of the new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at Northampton, which is a big vote of confidence in the rail freight industry.”

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