DB Cargo UK opens new rail freight terminal in Wolverhampton

Over the past 12 months the German-owned freight operator, DB Cargo UK, has more than doubled the size of its existing facility in Knowles Road, Wolverhampton, which receives imported steel from as far afield as Holland and Sweden.

The £6 million project is one of the largest investments in rail freight in the past five years and is seen as a major vote of confidence in the UK’s continuing ability to trade and attract inward investment post-Brexit.

The new state-of-the-art logistics centre will be used by some of the world’s biggest steel companies including ArcelorMittal, Tata Steel and SSAB; providing a major boost to local businesses that use their products in their manufacturing processes.

DB Cargo UK’s Chief Executive Hans-Georg Werner said: “This is a fantastic investment story for the UK. Despite all the uncertainty over Brexit, here you have a large German-owned company willing to invest significant sums of money that will greatly benefit British and foreign businesses.

“This investment demonstrates DB Cargo UK’s commitment to be the first choice for rail freight in the UK and our confidence in the resilience and sustainability of the international steel market.”

DB Cargo UK is the UK’s biggest transporter of metal products and its Midlands investment will significantly strengthen the local steel supply chain.

“There is buoyant demand for steel from engineering and manufacturing firms in the area and we are delighted to be in a position to work with our customers to help meet this demand,” said Werner.

The massive new rail freight centre stands adjacent to the West Coast Mainline, spanning 11 880 m2 and with the capacity to store some 48 000 t of steel - the equivalent of 3324 coils.

The freight operator currently transports steel to the centre by rail from the ports of Immingham, Hull and Boston, where it is then unloaded before being transferred onto HGV’s for final delivery by road.

The steel is then used in the manufacture of a range of products including household appliances, heaters and cars.

Councillor John Reynolds, Cabinet Member for City Economy at the City of Wolverhampton Council, said: “We are delighted DB Cargo UK has made this major investment in the City of Wolverhampton and expanded its business. It is yet another example of how businesses are thriving in the city and are delivering jobs for local people. There is currently £3.7 billion of investment on site or in the pipeline in the City of Wolverhampton, clearly making it the city of opportunity.”

Philippa Edmunds, from Freight on Rail, said: "Rail freight terminals help tackle our congested national roads network and improve air quality by reducing the overall number of lorries on UK roads."

Every train delivery to Wolverhampton will remove an estimated 76 HGV’s from Britain’s roads.

Read the article online at: https://www.drybulkmagazine.com/dry-bulk/25102018/db-cargo-uk-opens-new-rail-freight-terminal-in-wolverhampton/