The very first rail freight service has run out of London Gateway – two months before the port is due to open.
DB Schenker was drafted in to run an emergency service out of the new deep sea port after a cargo ship was forced to dock for maintenance after a blaze broke out on the vessel.
A fully-loaded service left London Gateway on September 24 for Db Schenker’s Trafford Park terminal.
Carsten Hinne, managing director, Logistics for DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “This has been an incredible effort and demonstrates how the team, and indeed the industry, has come together to help support ZIM and its customers.
“I haven’t seen collective support from the industry like this in any way before and it’s amazing to think we have put a service together in just a few days – let alone from a non-operational port.”
DB Schenker Rail will run regular services to Trafford Park and Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal from London Gateway when the port officially opens in November.