Scotland’s largest port, Grangemouth has completed and opened a multimillion-pound extension of its rail freight hub.
The new expanded rail freight hub saw an investment of £3 million to increase its capacity, a move it said “further secures its position as the key strategic freight and export-import hub for Scotland, with a direct link to the port’s busy container terminal”.
It said the new dual rail siding of 775 metres – previously 200 metres – can handle the longest freight trains on the UK network, describing it as the first rail freight terminal in Scotland to offer this – also providing “enhanced container-domestic intermodal options”. It said this was “of particular benefit for customers in the food, drink and perishables sectors across the Scottish freight community”.
Derek Knox, senior port manager at the Port of Grangemouth, said: “The opening of our new freight rail hub comes at an important time for the freight market as businesses are seeking flexible, resilient, and greener supply chain solutions. We have invested over £30million in infrastructure and equipment over the past five years at the port and this new rail offering, combined with our established port operations and streamlined customs processes, creates a unique solution for our existing and future customers.”
Chris Connelly, deputy CEO and rail director of NTS, owner of Grangemouth rail freight customer Direct Rail Services, said: “This is fantastic news and this investment demonstrates the vital role rail freight plays in our economy and its importance in ensuring goods reach supermarkets quickly and reliably. Rail freight reduces carbon emissions by 76 per cent compared to road and this new siding will allow even longer, heavier trains, further increasing their environmental credentials and meaning fewer lorries on our roads.”
The Port of Grangemouth has on-site distribution warehouses with cross docking possibilities and is within a few miles of the main supermarket distribution centres within Central Scotland. Existing services link Grangemouth and its sister port in Tilbury on the Thames with a connection through Daventry.
First published on www.lloydslist.com
