After reaching an agreement in principle with DB Cargo UK, Maritime Transport has announced the launch of a new division, “Maritime Intermodal,” which will initially contract four dedicated services out of the ports of Felixstowe and Southampton.

Maritime Transport and DB Cargo UK say the long-term agreement will enable them operate to their strengths, driving up service and efficiency, which will result in increased intermodal capacity and growth in rail freight.

Under the terms of the proposed agreement:

  • DB Cargo UK will be contracted to run Maritime Intermodal’s rail operations out of Felixstowe and Southampton
  • Maritime Intermodal will take on responsibility for DB Cargo UK’s terminals in Trafford Park, Manchester and Wakefield in West Yorkshire, strengthening its national network of strategic hubs
  • Maritime Intermodal will make a “significant investment” in both equipment and groundworks at the two sites, improving terminal turnaround times whilst also increasing container storage capacity. The terminals will remain open-access to both intermodal and non-intermodal services. Maritime Intermodal will retain existing services and seek additional services from all British ports with all freight operating companies with the intention of increasing its intermodal offering
  • Maritime Intermodal will take responsibility for DB Cargo UK’s existing intermodal customers on its Felixstowe and Southampton services
  • DB Cargo UK will retain and grow its remaining intermodal business including key flows to and from Scotland

“This is an exciting new agreement that brings together two of the largest and most successful freight companies in Britain to offer an industry-leading service to customers,” says DB Cargo UK CEO, Mr Hans-Georg Werner. “It will enable DB Cargo UK to focus on what it does best - the efficient and reliable running of rail freight services, while giving Maritime the platform to offer its customers further capacity to move its container traffic.

“Intermodal is the fastest growing freight market, yet our terminals were under-utilised. Maritime is a very successful logistics business and has the volumes and desire to turn these assets into sustainable and profitable distribution centres.”

“In addition, over the four services alone, more than 51 million km will be taken off the British road network each year, reducing both congestion and carbon dioxide emissions. This further enhances our creativity in developing intermodal solutions for our customers,” says Maritime Group executive chairman, Mr John Williams.