People on the move – Solent Stevedores names Mark Hooper as Director of Rail and Containers

Solent Stevedores, a port terminal operator working throughout the UK, Channel Islands, and Singapore, has announced the appointment of Mark Hooper as Director of Rail and Containers across operations in the Port of Southampton and London Gateway.

Hooper will play a key role in accelerating the continued growth of the newly expanded rail offering at the Port of Southampton and further strengthening the established empty container handling facility in London Gateway.

Fiona Robson, Managing Director of Solent Stevedores, said: “We’re thrilled to be welcoming Mark into the team having just boosted our container and rail offering with substantial investment in Southampton. “The freight industry is reacting to the Government’s net zero target and the intermodal rail approach is at the forefront of the response. Mark will play a significant role in maximising the opportunities for customers and driving forward our rapid growth in this area.”

Mark Hooper said: “Solent Stevedores has an exemplary reputation in this industry and I’m excited to join the team. Rail plays a key part in the future of intermodal transport, which is where my passion lies, and I’m looking forward to working with our port partners and customers to push the rail and container offering forward.”

Solent Stevedores welcomes Hooper, former Business Development Director for DP World, following its recent multi-million-pound partnership investment into the Solent Rail Terminal.

Hooper brings his extensive 35-year port experience including 15 years at Mitsui O.S.K Lines (MOL) as Senior Intermodal Manager. He also spent two years on the Board of Directors for the Rail Freight Group (RFG).