Freightliner invests in new wagon to meet growing 40 ft container market demands
Publication date: 27 April 2012
Author: Freightliner Limited
Tagged with: Freightliner Limited
Freightliner Limited, The UK’s Most Reliable Rail Freight Operator* has made a significant investment in new container wagons to meet the evolving deep sea container market towards 40ft containers.
Freightliner has placed an order with VTG, a leading wagon hire company, for a fleet of twin platform Ecofret ‘Shortliner’ wagons. The wagons are a twin set of 40ft deck length wagons and are designed to maximise the amount of 40ft containers that can be hauled on one service without empty running or 20ft wasted space.
Ecofret ‘Shortliner’ wagons are enabling Freightliner to maximise port and inland capacity, reduce CO2 emissions and increase network utilisation by maximising the amount of boxes that can be hauled on one service.
Freightliner through the use of these new wagons and the operator’s unique ability to haul longer, heavier trains, using the state of the art PowerHaul locomotives, are creating Shortliner services. Through Shortliner services, Freightliner is increasing the amount of 40ft containers hauled per train by over 42% in comparison to a standard Class 66 service hauling 24 wagons, whilst still fulfilling the 20ft market demand.
Adam Cunliffe Managing Director, Freightliner Limited commented: “Freightliner Ltd’s investment in the new Ecofret ‘Shortliner’ wagons demonstrates Freightliner’s dedication to meet our customers’ needs in a market which is increasingly dominated by 40ft containers. These new wagons complement our existing 60ft wagon fleet ensuring maximum utilisation of both 40ft and 20ft containers. Our capability to haul longer, heavier trains teamed with our new wagons is ensuring more containers can be moved by rail, reducing CO2 emissions and removing more lorries from the UK’s congested roads.”
Freightliner will be exhibiting at the 2012 Multimodal event in the NEC, Birmingham and will be able to answer any questions on our services.
VTG will also have a prototype of their triple wagon on display at the Multimodal event, 1-2 May.
*Awarded Best Operational Performance – Freight Performance Measure at the annual Golden Whistles based on MAA
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There is no indication of where these new wagons will be built but, as there are no British manufacturers left, Germany-based VTG will undoubtedly arrange for them to be imported into the UK – probably from Eastern Europe.