Since the 2014 restitution by Network Rail of its operational infrastructure connecting Sunderland Port to the national rail network, rail freight volumes have slowly re-established at the facility.
According to the port, the rail freight uptake is thanks to partnerships between the port, Network Rail, and DB Cargo UK.
This collaboration, says Sunderland Port, has provided a major boost to the port’s multimodal credentials, allowing it to maximise the advantage of longer and heavy rail consignments.
Commenting on the rail freight growth at the port, Matthew Hunt, director at Port of Sunderland, said:
“Seeing rail freight flows utilising our multimodal facility for regular, scheduled flows is most welcome. Since the return of rail cargo to the port, we have worked tirelessly to promote our multi-modal capabilities and demonstrate the sustainable efficiencies in supply chains that working with the port can provide and this is a marvellous example of this. It really is industry collaborative working at its best, helping to sustain the supply of a vital feeds stock commodity to one of the Port’s valued customers, creating a real positive economic impact and we’re proud to be playing a part in helping enable that. Long may it continue.”
Kevin Newman, senior route freight manager at Network Rail, added:
“We’re delighted to be supporting the Port of Sunderland as we continue to encourage an acceleration to move to rail freight. The breaking of this record is a huge achievement and aligns well with Network Rail’s ambitions to greatly reduce carbon emissions and support the UK Government’s net zero target of 2050.”
Finally, Roger Neary, chief sales officer at DB Cargo UK, also commented:
“There is a growing demand for freight companies to run longer and heavier trains as it makes clear economic and environmental sense. As the UK’s largest transporter of metal products, we were proud to play a part in this record-breaking delivery.”