Freightliner

Freightliner, the UK’s leading rail freight operator was presented the award for Best Operational Performance – Freight Performance Measure at the annual Golden Whistles awards ceremony, (Friday 27th January).

The award is presented to the most reliable and punctual rail freight operator in the UK based on moving annual average (MMA). The ‘Golden Whistles’ are organised by the Institute of Railway Operators in conjunction with Modern Railways magazine, to celebrate railway passenger and freight operators who have led their industry in improving their operational position during the last year.

Adam Cunliffe, Managing Director, Freightliner Ltd said, “To be named as the Best Performing Rail Freight Operator is a great achievement, and it is testament to the high level of product delivery and customer service that Freightliner offer. I would like to congratulate all the operational and engineering teams at Freightliner that have contributed to our position as the UK’s most reliable rail freight operator.”

For more information, please contact:

Monica Callus
callusm@freightliner.co.uk
0207 200 3900

MSC one of the world’s leading container shipping companies has renewed their contract with Freightliner Ltd, the UK’s leading intermodal rail freight operator increasing railed container volumes to the North West.

The renewed contract is an expansion of the existing Freightliner/ MSC service, moving 30,000 container moves per annum. The increase in volumes will remove over 6,000 additional lorry journeys per year from the UK’s congested road network.

This announcement follows the transfer of MSC’s services at The Port of Felixstowe to the ports newly developed, state of the art berths 8 and 9.

Adam Cunliffe, Managing Director, Freightliner Limited said; “We are delighted to have renewed our North West service with MSC and look forward to further developing this key rail route from the Port of Felixstowe with MSC. The contract helps to support the additional capacity that MSC is providing through the new berth 8 and 9 at Felixstowe that are able to support the new generation 14,000 teu container ships. In addition, it is intended that the service will be hauled by Freightliner’s new PowerHaul locomotives which uniquely combines, longer trains enabling increases in container volumes with reduced CO2 emissions. ”

Kelvin Wilden, Operations Director, MSC (UK) Ltd commented; “MSC (UK) Ltd is delighted to have renewed its North West contract with Freightliner that has proven to be so successful over the last five years. We have a long standing relationship with Freightliner supporting a number of services on a daily basis. Reliability and flexibility are a prerequisite of all our rail service providers and need to be proven before awarding any new contract. MSC is committed to supporting its rail product demonstrated by running some of the best utilised intermodal trains in and out of the Port of Felixstowe. Freightliner as an existing service provider remains well placed to help us maintain this commitment now and into the future.”

For more information and images, please contact:
Monica Callus
callusm@freightliner.co.uk
0207 200 3900

The revised, long term deal gives EDF Energy increased capacity to meet its future requirements and builds upon the excellent service performance record and relationship that has developed over the last 10 years.

Jim Beynon, Head of Upstream Commercial Management, EDF Energy commented: “We have worked to develop this innovatively structured deal that gives us the flexibility, reliability and security that we need to meet our future coal haulage needs. Our rail requirements become increasingly challenging in the coming years and we are pleased that this deal gives us a sound basis to meet those challenges.”

Martin Wilks, Director Coal & Deputy Managing Director, Freightliner Heavy Haul Ltd added: “Our relationship with EDF Energy is longstanding and we have worked well together over the years. We have always worked very closely with customers and industry partners and this new deal represents the continuation of the strong relationship that we share with EDF Energy, supplying haulage from UK mines and also imported coal from a number of ports.”

For more information and images, please contact:

Monica Callus
callusm@freightliner.co.uk
0207 200 3900

The wagon is a modified HHA coal hopper wagon which has covers fitted to ensure that the product is kept dry whilst being conveyed from loading site to destination.
The wagon modification was manufactured at the WH Davies workshops at Shirebrook and offers the most advanced design covered hopper wagon in the UK biomass market.

The wagon was moved from Shirebrook to the Freightliner workshops at York earlier this week and has already had viewings from several generating companies who are examining the potential for the generation of renewable power from sustainable biomass.

Michael Leadbetter, Freightliner’s General Manager Coal & Biomass, added “Visits by other customers are already lined up to examine the wagon. The wagon and concept has been extremely well received so far by everyone. We have worked well with the designers and manufacturers to develop this wagon. Having developed its design following consultation with the generation industry, I am now confident to inject it into the market and we will be undertaking trials with it in the near future.”

Freightliner welcomes the announcement by the Secretary of State for Transport about the importance of the rail freight sector as a driver of economic growth and generator of valuable benefits for society. The statement made by Justine Greening MP recognises the growth achieved by the rail freight sector so far and supports further growth in the transfer of freight from road to rail which will enable the rail freight sector to make an even stronger contribution to the country’s economic recovery.

Lindsay Durham, Head of Rail Strategy said “Following the success so far of the investment in the Strategic Freight Network it is really pleasing that further support of the development of key rail routes from the major ports has been brought forward. The announcement to invest in the doubling of the line from Soham to Ely and to gauge clear Syston Junction to Stoke are particularly welcomed as these schemes will really make a difference and will relieve current capacity bottlenecks.”

She continued by saying that “Frequently the important role of the freight transport sector is overlooked, but the Logistics Growth Review has recognised the importance of efficient transport to the success of UK businesses. Measures announced today as part of the Logistics Growth Review including support for 24/7 network access for rail freight and the identification of strategic freight paths for growth will bring confidence to customers and potential customers of rail freight and will stimulate further private sector investment in rail freight equipment, facilities and terminals.”

For the 7th consecutive year, Freightliner was awarded Rail Freight Operator of the Year.

The prestigious Rail Freight Operator of the Year award recognises excellence across the industry and is voted by IFW readers, which includes our customers and suppliers. This accolade is an acknowledgment of Freightliner’s consistent high quality service, and continual developments in the industry.

Adam Cunliffe, Managing Director, Freightliner Limited commented: “To win the Rail Freight Operator of the Year award again is a great achievement, and it is testament to the high level of product delivery and customer service that Freightliner offer. I would like to thank all our customers and suppliers and judges who voted for Freightliner.”

For more information and images, please contact:
Monica Callus
callusm@freightliner.co.uk
(0)207 200 3900