Freightliner has run its first rail service out of London Gateway, the new deep-sea port, to collect import containers destined for the Midlands.
It loaded boxes discharged from the fire-damaged container ship ZIM Rotterdam. DP World London Gateway provided an emergency berth for the ship at short notice even though the port is not yet operational.
“The departure of the first Freightliner train, fully laden with containers going to Hams Hall, is a tremendous achievement, reflecting the hard work put in by both Freightliner and the London Gateway team,” said London Gateway commercial director Charles Meaby.
Successful delivery was made to the customer during the early hours of Tuesday 1 October.
Adam Cunliffe, managing director of Freightliner, said: “We were pleased to be able to make our first call at London Gateway and test the services and infrastructure in place for rail freight on site.”
* DB Schenker Rail UK has named one of its locomotive “DP World London Gateway” in a naming ceremony at the port.
The ceremony, coincided with the arrival of three more giant quay cranes at the port. The nameplate was unveiled on a DB Schenker Class 66 locomotive (66185), by Simon Moore, CEO of DP World London Gateway.
