Despite economic uncertainty and downturn in container traffic due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Maritime Intermodal has 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 30 April and 1 May, travelling from Southampton to EMG and will eventually be used 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 while providing much greater flexibility and storage capacity until stock needs to be delivered.

John Williams, Maritime’s group executive chairman, said: ”This new service really highlights the importance Maritime and the wider logistics industry plays in keeping Britain moving during this difficult period. 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.”