Two of the UK’s largest freight operators have announced plans to combine their expertise — “to increase rail freight capacity and competition in the intermodal market”.

After reaching agreement in principle with DB Cargo UK, Maritime Transport Ltd has launched a new division called Maritime Intermodal.

DB Cargo UK (www.dbcargo.com) will be run Maritime Intermodal’s rail operations out of Felixstowe and Southampton, while Maritime Intermodal will take on responsibility for DB Cargo UK’s terminals in Trafford Park and Wakefield.

Maritime Intermodal is committed to significant investment in both equipment and groundworks at the two sites,
improving turnround times while also increasing container storage capacities.

The terminals will remain open to both intermodal and non-intermodal services. Maritime Intermodal will retain existing services and seek additional services from all UK ports with all freight operating companies, with the intention of increasing its intermodal offering.

It will also take responsibility for DB Cargo UK’s existing intermodal customers at Felixstowe and Southampton. DB Cargo UK will retain — and grow — its remaining intermodal business, including key flows to and from Scotland.

Hans-Georg Werner, CEO of DB Cargo UK, said: “This agreement brings together two of the largest freight companies in the UK to offer an industry-leading service to customers.

“It will enable DB Cargo UK to focus on what it does best — the efficient and reliable running of rail freight services — while giving Maritime the platform to offer its customers further capacity to move its container traffic.

“Intermodal is the fastest-growing freight market, yet our terminals were under-utilised. Maritime is a very successful logistics business; it has the volumes to turn these assets into sustainable and profitable distribution centres.

“It’s a real ‘win-win’, and we look forward to working with Maritime.”