Despite economic uncertainty and downturn in container traffic due to Covid-19, Maritime Intermodal last week launched a new rail freight service from DP World Southampton to its terminal at East Midlands Gateway (EMG) to meet growing demand in container storage, the first-ever train from Southampton to enter EMG.

Hauled by DB Cargo and with the capacity to move up to 74TEU each way, Maritime’s eighth service to date ran for two days only on Thursday 30th April and Friday 1st May, travelling from Southampton to EMG and will eventually be utilised regularly subject to container volumes.

Containers destined for the large manufacturing and consumer conurbations in the East Midlands region would have been stored at Maritime’s Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal previously which has recently seen a large increase in throughput, however EMG, now capable of storing up to 4,000TEU, will enable Maritime to cut journey times significantly whilst providing much greater flexibility and storage capacity until stock needs to be delivered.

‘This new service really highlights the importance Maritime and the wider logistics industry plays in keeping Britain moving during this difficult period,’ stated John Williams, Maritime’s Group Executive Chairman. ‘I am so impressed with our drivers and office-based staff; their commitment and determination to keep working so tirelessly and to serve our customers is nothing short of incredible. We will continue to do whatever we can to support our customers during the pandemic and providing them with reliable, cost-effective, and sustainable solutions to moving and storing their goods.’