EWS has launched a new online facility to provide relief for logistics managers trying to move intermodal containers to and from some of Britain’s busiest ports and inland terminals.
The new online timetable allows customers to view last minute availability for the movement of containers on rail services operating either later the same day or the following day. EWS says that its new timetable will target transport managers, logistic suppliers and road hauliers who need short term and last minute intermodal transport capacity.
The move is a first for the rail industry, as it allows last minute availability on import and export rail services to be shown. Although these trains frequently operate fully loaded, changes in the requirements of customers can lead to space becoming available 36 hours before the planned departure. To use this space, the timetable will allow customers with a short-term need, to move containers across the country by rail.
The service, updated throughout the day, will enable customers to view space available on trains for standard and high cube containers.
Customers can also subscribe to daily e-mail alerts, allowing them to be informed the moment the latest availability information is published on the EWS website.
Phil Webster, EWS national business manager intermodal, said: “Any logistics manager will know the pressures of having to seek transport solutions at short notice. This new development enables them to quickly look at rail options first instead of reaching for the telephone numbers of road hauliers. This is very much about rail freight delivering a vital last minute service for the logistics industry.”