A new intermodal service has been launched by GB Railfreight (GBRf) between Southampton on the South Coast and Hams Hall rail freight terminal in the West Midlands.

This will be the first intermodal service that GB Railfreight has run from Southampton to the West Midlands, with the initial service being for five trains a week.

An option also exists for an intermodal service to be introduced between Southampton and Mossend International rail freight terminal in Scotland. At both terminals, final-mile delivery will be available.

GB Railfreight will deploy its new high-density FEA-G intermodal wagons for the service, as they have a greater cargo-carrying capacity.

Forming part of an incentivisation programme by the port’s owner DP World, the new service is a trial in the use of Modal Shift by cargo owners to use rail for transporting cargo within 140 miles of the port.

The company hopes that the new service will result in thousands of fewer lorry journeys each year with a consequent reduction of 30,000 metric tonnes in carbon dioxide emissions.

By 2025, GB Railfreight hopes to operate about 80 intermodal services a day, contributing to the UK Government’s long-term aim of increasing rail freight by at least 75% by 2050.

DP World also owns the UK’s most integrated logistics hub London Gateway on the River Thames.

This new service from Southampton to Hams Hall has been made possible by DP World’s Modal Shift programme and the new investment made at Solent Rail Terminal. Flagship initiatives like this help harness the benefits of rail freight allowing Britain’s supply chains to move goods more sustainably, efficiently and reliably

Julie Garn, GB Railfreight Head of Intermodal

This is real positive news from GB Railfreight, giving customers the opportunity to utilise rail and support the Government’s targets for rail freight growth along with reducing carbon emissions which should be on everyone’s agenda. This new service also aligns with DP World’s Modal Shift Program where customers can take advantage of the incentive available as Hams Hall is within a 140-mile zone from the Port.

With the recent official opening of our Solent Rail Terminal and the £17.5 million partnership investment between Associated British Ports (ABP) and Solent Stevedores, this is a major investment into the future of rail and reducing the reliance on HGVs

Mark Hooper, Director of Rail & Containers, Solent Stevedores

The first six months of the Modal Shift Programme trial at our Southampton logistics hub has been a major success so far, with the share of freight units being moved by rail instead of road increasing by two thirds – from 21% to 35%. The success of the trial is proof that rail can be effectively utilised to achieve lower carbon international supply chains that better serve the UK economy and environment, and so we are delighted that the new Southampton-Hams Hall service will contribute to this

John Trenchard, DP World Vice President UK Commercial & Supply Chain

We are delighted to see GB Railfreight taking full advantage of Hams Hall’s strategic position on the logistics map with the introduction of this new service, connecting a major UK port with an important gateway to the West Midlands. Shifting freight to rail and reducing carbon emissions is a key part of our environmental strategy and this service paves the way for regional businesses to actively join us in this effort

John Bailey, Managing Director – Intermodal at Maritime Transport