Stobart Rail part of the Stobart Group has launched a rail intermodal service for temperature-controlled cargoes from Valencia to the UK via the Channel Tunnel
The service will offer a shared multi-client train for new and existing customers of Stobart and DB Schenker UK. By working together, says a DB Schenker statement, all road and rail assets will achieve high levels of utilisation, thereby enabling a commercially sustainable door-to-door solution for companies involved in the export of fresh products.
Rail traction will be provided by a single rail freight operator across three countries, with the involvement of DB Schenker's European subsidiaries - Euro Cargo Rail in France and Spain and the former EWS in Great Britain.
"Stobart's planning infrastructure and capability in the fresh and chilled sector will ensure that the product is monitored from the pack-house to the store as well as its delivery on time and in optimum condition," continues the official statement. Stobart Group's CEO Andrew Tinkler said:
"We are pleased to announce the collaboration with DB Schenker and believe this adds a massive opportunity for both companies to enable a cost effective and environmentally friendly solution for moving fresh and ambient produce throughout Europe.
"Every train will contain 30 reefer boxes and the direct service from the pack-house to the store will reduce waste and increase the shelf life. "These factors will provide obvious savings to our customers. In addition, the service will save 13.7 million road kilometres per year operating three trains per week, annually reducing CO2 emissions by 8625 tonnes.
"This will in my opinion provide customers with a seamless reliable road and rail freight service. This goes a long way in meeting our aspirations of moving more goods by rail."
DB Schenker Rail (UK) CEO Keith Heller commented: "The development of this product has been made possible by the investments that we have made in Euro Cargo Rail in France and Euro Cargo Rail in Spain over the last four years.
"By working with Stobart Rail we can deliver a superior product that will play a major role in European modal shift aspirations from road to rail. With increasing environmental and cost pressures we see tremendous growth opportunities for similar services to France and Germany."
