A rail freight service launched to transport containers from the Port of Liverpool to Scotland has been a major success, according to its operator Peel Ports, and has helped to minimise pressure on local roads.
Since launching in August 2018, the rail service has saved over half a million road miles being driven on the UK’s motorways. It has also resulted in a significant reduction in HGV movements around Seaforth, and saved around 500 t of carbon dioxide in the process.
In excess of 2500 containers packed with imports have already travelled from Liverpool to Mossend terminal in Glasgow using the service, giving Scottish exporters a new route to international markets. Containers are returning to the Mersey with goods including food and drink destined for overseas via direct deep-sea routes from Liverpool.
Peel Ports has a longstanding commitment to reducing road haulage miles locally around the Port of Liverpool. It launched a rail route between Liverpool and Drax Power Station in 2015, shipping biomass pellets to the site in North Yorkshire.
Jouke Schaap, Container Director at Peel Ports, said: “Cargo owners are always looking for the most efficient ways of getting their goods from A to B. By moving cargo using a range of transport modes including rail, our service has been able to offer a cost-effective solution for the trunk haul, storage and last mile delivery of containers. It has proven attractive to a number of shipping lines and forwarders, and has also given Scottish exporters greater exposure to global markets. With this in mind we expect the service to grow further in 2019.”