Forth Ports in partnership with Eddie Stobart and Direct Rail Services (DRS) have announced a new weekend service linking, for the first time by rail, the ports of Tilbury and Grangemouth, Scotland’s main port.
The new two-way rail service will commence on Friday 28thJune and has been launched on the back of customer demand to open up the rail link between the South of England and Central Scotland. The first train will leave Tilbury on a Friday via Daventry and travel overnight arriving into Grangemouth on a Saturday.
The service has a capacity to travel with 36 containers andwill be managed by Eddie Stobart working closely with both Forth Ports and DRS. The containers will carry cargo to Scotland from the South East including retail goods, food and drink. The return journey from Grangemouth, Scotland’s largest port, will support the country’s export market with the movement of spirits, chemicals and fresh food including potatoes.
Rail continues to be a key focus due to the reduced carbon emissions and this new service will connect ports in the South of England and Central Scotland without using the already-congested UK road network.
John Clark, Sector Director at Eddie Stobart said: “Eddie Stobart Logistics remains one of the only UK operators to offer genuine modal choice for customers, and we’re delighted to be able to extend our rail offering through our new partnership with Direct Rail Services and Forth Ports.
Unlike many rail operators, our services are built in direct response to customer requirements – that’s why we’re introducing a new service that will link the Port of Tilbury to Grangemouth for the first time. We believe this will help to provide our customers with a cost effective and sustainable means of moving goods between the South of England and Central Scotland.”
Peter Ward, Commercial Director at The Port of Tilburysaid: “Linking our ports in the South East and Scotland by rail has been a priority for us and we are pleased to partner with Eddie Stobart and DRS on this new service. The service comes on the back of an increase in business at our busy container terminals and underpins our commitment to provide sustainable and cost-effective logistics solutions for our customers, aiding growth and competitiveness in the supply chain. This is the first time that a rail service truly links our ports in Tilbury and Grangemouth which opens up a number of import and export opportunities for our business and customers.”