Two new rail freight routes from Spain to the UK are bringing essential hygiene, medical and food products from terminals in Valencia and Murcia to the UK.
Transfesa Logistics, working with DB Cargo UK and Network Rail, has launched the new 72-hour express rail services using refrigerated containers, expanding the company’s national and international activity. The intention is to develop these railway operations into a daily service to keep supermarkets shelves stocked.
The new services operate into DB Cargo UK’s Barking Intermodal Terminal in London, which is strategically connected to the High Speed 1 (HS1) rail link. Thousands of tonnes of goods will be transported by freight to support the economy and keep supermarkets stocked up with vital supplies.
Roger Neary, Head of Sales at DB Cargo UK, said: “Despite the ongoing restrictions, we continue to provide our customers with new, reliable and sustainable rail solutions on both a national and international level.
“We are delighted to be working with our DB Cargo group partners at Transfesa Logistics to deliver this essential rail freight service across the continent in these challenging times. Rail freight has a vital role to play in the sustainable transportation of international goods and it’s currently more important than ever that we ensure these supplies reach the UK.”
Bernd Hullerum, CEO of Transfesa Logistics, added: “This is another step in the development of our international corridors, thus expanding services to a strategic segment.
“In Valencia we have also just opened a 2000m² warehouse for food products. The railway is, now more than ever, the most sustainable and reliable means of transport.”
Transfesa is using a new, lighter ‘UNIT 45’ container for these services, allowing 30 containers to be carried on each train and so keeping 30 long-distance lorries off the road.
John Halsall, managing director for Network Rail Southern region, said: “Rail freight plays a vital role in supporting our economy as we continue to battle coronavirus.
“It is essential we keep freight services running so that goods can be delivered to supermarkets, power stations are fuelled and crucial upgrades on the rail network continue, so we can keep people who have to travel, moving.”
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