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XPO helps Baxter Healthcare get on the right lines in Ireland

[ June 13, 2023   //   ]

XPO  has started shipments for Baxter Healthcare from the Irish Rail Freight facility at Ballina, in the west of Ireland.

Containers of medical products are now being transported to destinations in mainland Europe, the Nordic countries and Turkey

Iarnród Éireann’s (Irish Rail’s) director of commercial business units, Glenn Carr, said, “We warmly welcome Baxter Healthcare’s decision to begin moving containers with our Ballina to Waterford service, operated in partnership with XPO Logistics.  There is significant demand from industry for sustainable transport alternatives, and rail freight can deliver that alternative. 

“We know Baxter and others are ambitious to do more, which is why our Rail Freight 2040 Strategy envisages a five-fold increase in rail freight services.  We are working with industry, logistics companies, and Government agencies to develop the infrastructure and ensure the policy framework exists to meet this demand.  Baxter Healthcare is already examining the possibilities that the forthcoming rail link to Shannon Foynes Port, funded by the Department of Transport, will deliver, as are many other potential customers.”

James Jordan, head of planning and logistics at Baxter Healthcare, added: “This first rail freight shipment marks a key milestone in Baxter Castlebar & Swinford’s program to improve sustainability by reducing carbon emissions throughout our supply chain. It was made possible by a close partnership with Irish Rail, XPO Logistics and Brian Cunningham Transport to open the route for rail shipments from Ballina to Waterford port.”

Baxter Healthcare next plans a rail connection at its Castlebar site, which will transport more than 20 containers per day through the Western Rail Corridor, which connects Castlebar to the Waterford port. Thois will avoid the 25 mile road journey to Ballina.

Mr Jordan added: “The development of an Inland Rail Freight Hub at Castlebar and the reopening of the Western Rail Corridor are key infrastructure enablers to support this drive to sustainability and will be fully supported by Baxter and other local businesses in the area.”

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