Britain’s biggest container port, Felixstowe, officially opened its new rail terminal last week, doubling rail capacity. The new rail terminal is a £40 million investment that’s part of a scheme to increase capacity at the port that includes the two new berths that were opened in November 2011. Co-financed by the European Union Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) programme, the terminal will allow the port to accommodate trains up to 35 wagons long, with nine additional tracks being laid.
The new North Rail Terminal was inaugurated in a ceremony attended by HRH the Duke of York, who said: “Coming here today and seeing how Felixstowe is taking the challenge of delivering goods and services for British exporters and British importers to the next level is really encouraging, and I would wish not just to congratulate you on so far, but also encourage you to continue the good work and investment you have committed to the United Kingdom.”
Clemence Cheng, CEO of Hutchison Ports (UK), owner of the port of Felixstowe, said: “Rail is becoming the mode of choice for an increasing number of shipping lines, forwarders and shippers to move their goods to and from ports.
“It provides cost, environmental and reliability benefits for many customers and the port of Felixstowe offers more rail services, to more destinations, more often than any other UK port.
“I am also pleased to announce today that the 60th daily rail service at Felixstowe will be operated by Freightliner.
“The new North Rail Terminal will increase still further our rail capability. By allowing us to run longer trains, as well as more of them, it will allow users of the port to improve the efficiency of their supply chains and at the same time reducing cost for them.”