iPort Rail in Doncaster, the UK’s newest intermodal inland rail freight hub, is now open and fully operational, welcoming its first train this week.
Located on a 30-acre site within the 337-acre iPort logistics hub, iPort Rail is a state-of-the-art rail freight facility able to accommodate the UK’s longest trains up to six times a day. It has storage capacity for 1,500 TEUs and a reach stacker operation with a 115-tonne front axle load.
The site connects to the East Coast Main Line and is located next to the M18, close to Doncaster Sheffield Airport and within two hours of the East Coast’s deep water ports.
John Clements, European Development Director at Verdion, said: “This is an enormous milestone for iPort. Demand for rail freight is increasing and having a dedicated rail terminal on site is an important asset for our occupiers.
“iPort Rail’s opening means we can offer even better connectivity to and from the Yorkshire region for national and international freight transport.
“We are also seeing a great deal of interest from businesses in the region not located at iPort wanting to take advantage of this rail connection to move and store their goods.”
iPort itself also offers up to 6 million sq ft of logistics warehousing, with Amazon, CEVA, Fellowes and Lidl already operating here. Amazon’s 1.1 million mega-shed was completed last year.
Michael Hughes, CEO of Verdion, said: “iPort Rail has been years in the making but it is now open and fully operational.
“Sitting within the wider iPort logistics hub, iPort Rail is a state-of-the-art rail terminal designed to serve the Yorkshire region with excellent road, rail and air connections for national and international freight transport.
“We have an experienced team already in place and everything is designed to help companies move goods quickly and minimise supply chain downtime.
“The demand we are seeing, even at this early stage, is already proving that the case for more integrated rail freight is overwhelming. Our next milestone will be welcoming the first commercial train, which we are anticipating will be later this quarter.”