New rail record for Felixstowe

The increased volumes follow a number of track and equipment improvements made over the past two years including a 39 m extension of the South Rail Terminal to accommodate 22-wagon trains, a major line refurbishment of the same terminal over the New Year 2008/9, and the acquisition a second new RMG in August this year.

“In a world where shippers are looking to reduce carbon footprints, the use of intermodal rail freight offers one of the best ways to make substantial carbon savings, and there are more rail services, to more inland destinations, more often, from Felixstowe than any other UK port,” said David Gledhill, CEO of Hutchison Ports (UK) which owns the Port of Felixstowe.

In 2009 two new services were introduced from Felixstowe to Hams Hall and Birch Coppice near Birmingham, bringing the total number of daily services to 28, and 2010 has seen the first trials of 30 wagon trains from the North Terminal. However, the new volume record represents increased volumes across all services, and not just the recent additions.