Three trains a day, operating five times a week, will deliver in each direction containers from the Port of Southampton to inland terminals at Birmingham, Manchester Trafford Park and Wakefield.

These trains will also be able to convey the industry standard sized 9ft 6" containers following the completion of clearance works on the rail route from the Port of Southampton to accommodate them.

Volumes are however expected to exceed the initial level of 25,000 containers a year as CMA CGM and DB Schenker Rail will jointly work on developing opportunities to introduce additional freight trains as demand requires.

The agreement is the largest UK container contract ever signed by DB Schenker Rail and reflects the position the company has gained as a major supplier to this market.

Graham Fraser, CEO of CMA CGM (UK), said: “Rail freight is a key component of our shipping supply chain in the UK. We chose DB Schenker Rail due to their flexibility and genuine desire to help us get more from rail. We look forward to developing our new partnership with them and in seeking ways to introduce additional services during the lifetime of the contract.”

Alain Thauvette, Chief Executive of DB Schenker Rail (UK), said: “We are delighted to have won this new contract from CMA CGM. The container market is the fastest growing sector of the rail freight industry. With each intermodal freight train capable of removing up to 70 lorries from the road network, this is also good news for reducing both carbon emissions and road congestion levels.”

Will the contract benefit CMA CGM?

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