Leading pan-European logistics provider P&O Ferrymasters is leasing a further 400 trailers from TIP Trailer Services in the latest stage of its fleet expansion and replacement programme.

The first phase came last September when P&O Ferrymasters agreed a seven-year lease deal with TIP for 200 coilers and 100 huckepack trailers to meet growing demand on intermodal rail services between Rotterdam, Zeebrugge and markets in central and eastern Europe.

Now the companies have reached another seven-year agreement that will add 250 Euroliner huckepacks – including 100 coilers - to the CEE fleet and bring 150 replacement Euroliners to the Irish division.

The new type P390 huckepacks will operate largely on the dedicated P&O Ferrymasters train serving Curtici in Romania, which has been operational since September 26. They will also support the company’s intermodal route to and from Italy.

As before, all units are being built by Germany’s Schmitz Cargobull and will be supplied with the superior EN 12642 Code XL rating for load bearing capacity. The first units will be delivered within ten weeks.

The contract – which once again includes full trailer maintenance – was signed on May 7 on the
P&O Ferrymasters stand at the Transport Logistic trade show in Munich. The deal extends a relationship of more than 20 years with Rotterdam-based TIP, which is among Europe’s biggest equipment services specialists.

Rogier Laan, European commercial leader at TIP, notes: “The supply of another 400 ultra-modern trailers is a confirmation of our long-term cooperation and strengthening of our future relationship.”

P&O Ferrymasters managing director Bas Belder added: “When last September’s agreement was announced, we said that the fleet would be expanded on a similar scale in 2015 and we have now fulfilled that commitment. The new units will be invaluable in growing our share in key markets.”