News Release

22nd October 2003

Port of Felixstowe On Track With New Rail Enhancements


22-Oct-2003

The Port of Felixstowe is celebrating the launch of new rail services by Freightliner Limited and GB Railfreight from its North Rail Terminal.

In response to growing demand for rail services from Britain’s premier port, Freightliner has launched a new service to Tibbett & Britten’s distribution facility at Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal. This new freight link commenced on Monday 20th October 2003, and provides one inbound and one outbound train daily between Felixstowe and Daventry, with a further destination planned to be added to the service.

Freightliner’s Deputy Managing Director and Commercial Director, Peter Maybury, said:

“Rail must at least match freight movement by road in terms of service and price, and we are confident that we are providing a realistic logistical choice to port users. This is our 16th service, and it targets premium logistic and maritime container haulage companies wishing to save time and money.”

GB Railfreight has also added to the range of rail services offered by the Port of Felixstowe with the launch of its new Midlands service on 20th October 2003. The daily service runs between Felixstowe and the recently expanded Hams Hall freight interchange near Coleshill. Trains leave Felixstowe Monday to Friday at 11.25 hours, and arrive at Hams Hall at 19.00 hours the same day. The return trip departs at 02.00 hours, arriving back at the Port at 08.16 hours.

The train is open to any shipper and does not rely on long-term contracts. Phil McGrath, GB Railfreight’s Business Development Director, explained:

“This new service meets the market need for those who prefer to ‘turn up and go’. We feel this is just what the market is looking for.”

Both services carry single loads, and are available to shippers that want to move as little as one container to or from the Port.

Commenting on the new rail developments at the Port, Richard Pearson, Managing Director, said:

“We warmly welcome Freightliner and GB Railfreight’s considerable investment in the future of rail at the Port of Felixstowe. The Port is committed to increasing the share of freight transported on the rail, and these new services will contribute towards this goal. These services provide clear evidence of the continuing demand for rail, but additional investment in the national rail network is essential if the Strategic Rail Authority is to achieve its objective of an 80% increase over a ten year period to 2010.”

There are now a total of 22 inbound and 21 outbound trains per day from the Port of Felixstowe’s North and South Rail terminals. These trains link the Port to Coatbridge (Glasgow), Trafford Park (Manchester), Liverpool, Leeds, Cleveland, Birmingham, Cardiff, Tilbury, Doncaster, Selby, Widnes, Hams Hall, and now Daventry. The Port also handles two forest products trains per day at its dedicated paper-handling rail terminal.