Freight operators Maritime Transport and DB Cargo UK are to combine their expertise to increase rail-freight capacity and competition in the intermodal market.
The proposed agreement will see DB Cargo run Maritime Intermodal’s rail operations out of Felixstowe and Southampton and Maritime Intermodal will take on DB Cargo UK’s terminals in Trafford Park, Manchester and Wakefield in West Yorkshire to strengthen its national network of strategic hubs.
Maritime Intermodal will also take responsibility for DB Cargo UK’s existing intermodal customers on its Felixstowe and Southampton services. And DB Cargo UK will retain and grow its remaining intermodal business including key flows to and from Scotland.
The agreement is long term and will enable each organisation to operate to its strengths, driving up service and efficiency which will result in increased intermodal capacity and growth in rail-freight.
Maritime Transport has also launched a new “Maritime Intermodal” division which will initially contract four dedicated services out of Felixstowe and Southampton in principle with its agreement with DB Cargo. It is committed to significant investment in both equipment and groundworks at the two sites, as well as intending to increase its intermodal offering.
Maritime Intermodal was “created with the intention of offering increased resource to our customers in an increasingly difficult market place,” said Maritime Group executive chairman John Williams. “In addition, over the four services alone, more than 32 million miles will be taken off the UK road network each year, reducing both congestion and carbon dioxide emissions.”
