Transport
Published: June 5, 2024 | Updated: 5th June 2024
Global logistics company DP World says it’s lifting its target for the proportion of freight carried by rail (rather than lorries) from Southampton to 40 per cent in 2026.
The share of rail freight at Southampton has reached 30 per cent since the start of the company’s Modal Shift Programme last September – up from 21 per cent.
This has come in part following the launch of four new daily rail services at the Southampton terminal, taking the total number of weekly scheduled freight trains from the city to 172.
The trial for the scheme, which has been extended until the end of next year, offers customers a financial incentive to move their imported goods off the road and onto rail.
DP World aims to take an estimated 300,000 truck journeys off UK roads each year, saving customers and supply chain partners around an incremental 6,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the first six months.
“Due to the positive increase in the share of rail freight since the trial’s inception, we believe that we can target a 40% share of rail freight target in 2026”, said John Trenchard, vice-president UK commercial and supply chain at DP World.
“At a time when customers face multiple challenges, including escalating geopolitical uncertainty, increased regulatory risk, and the urgent need to decarbonise supply chains, our Modal Shift Programme has proved highly attractive.
“Over the coming year, DP World is looking forward to working closely with the market to refine the initiative further, helping to ensure it delivers the best results for our customers and their operations, as well as our own.
“We’re creating a solution that works for all partners across the supply chain.”
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