A new rail freight service linking Port of Immingham to a major inland logistics hub has launched, freeing up more than 80 HGV drivers a day to ease pressure on the industry.
Shipping giant DFDS and IPort Rail in Doncaster have united to launch the Humber Express - the first ever intermodal service to leave the complex.
Arriving in Immingham from destinations around the globe, containers are loaded up at an existing terminal, with a huge programme of work on the South Bank rail line making it possible.
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Two daily services carrying an initial 22 containers a time has begun, with potential to scale up significantly.
Andrew Byrne, managing director of DFDS Seaways, said: “The logistics industry is facing one of its largest challenges in a generation. There are additional complexities due to Brexit still impacting on supply chains, and the current shortage of lorry drivers is threatening to undo years of development of slick and efficient just in time operations that rely on supply chains that operate equally as quickly and proficiently.
“With tens of thousands of containers, tank containers and trade vehicles moving in and out of the Port of Immingham every year the fact none of these are moved by rail is something that has long needed addressing. The Humber Express will complement the efficient logistics and transport operations which already successfully run out of the port. I am delighted that DFDS and IPort Rail have had the courage and commitment to make it happen.”
IPort is described as the Ƶ’s most advanced multimodal logistics hub, forming an 800-acre terminal and warehousing site sitting beside the M18 in South Yorkshire, with further rail connections and enhanced access to the motorway network.
Those behind the project said wagon availability could see 34 to 36 containers a journey, with the facility open to all users of the port - the largest by tonnage in the Ƶ and fourth when measured by such units crossing the quayside. In 2020 it handled more than 10 per cent of all containers, behind Dover, Felixstowe and London.
There is also a strong emphasis on encouraging shipping lines to ease South East congestion and use northern ports, closer to many end destinations.
Steve Freeman, managing director of IPort Rail, said: “Rail is already a greener alternative for moving goods long distance by road and is being adopted by more businesses to help make their supply chains more sustainable. It also has an important role to play in keeping goods moving while the road haulage industry is under such pressure.
“New approaches and strong strategic partnerships are going to be increasingly important if businesses are going to maximise their potential in the current circumstances. This new service offers businesses a reliable and efficient route to and from the Port of Immingham with the option for customs clearance in Doncaster and seamless onward transit.”
Until now Immingham has only moved bulk or break-bulk products by rail, with coal and now biomass strong trades, along with raw materials for the likes of steel manufacturing.
Network Rail has completed a huge phase of works to lower the track bed under bridges to allow the switch of the global standard containers to rail.
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