Port of Southampton rail freight growth leads to DB Schenker Rail expansion

Publication date: 28 June 2012
Author: DB Schenker

Tagged with: David Cross, DB Schenker, Tony Berkeley

Increasing demand to move containers by rail has led DB Schenker Rail UK to relocate its Port of Southampton office to larger premises within the port.

The expansion comes as DB Schenker Rail UK continues to increase the volume of containers moved by rail achieving continuous year on year growth.

Over 60,000 containers travelling through the Port of Southampton were conveyed on DB Schenker Rail freight trains last year providing choice and a reliable rail alternative to road haulage for shipping lines.

The new DB Schenker Rail UK office was formally opened by Lord Tony Berkeley, Chairman of the Rail Freight Group, on Wednesday 27 June as part of a comprehensive tour of the Port of Southampton by Rail Freight Group members.

Starting with four employees in 2007, when DB Schenker Rail UK established a permanent base at the Port of Southampton, the consistent growth achieved over five years will see over 30 people employed in the new office with room already secured for further expansion.

As well as handling intermodal trains operated at the Port of Southampton, the office also handles bookings for all intermodal rail freight trains operated elsewhere in the country by DB Schenker Rail UK.

David Cross, Customer Service Manager for DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “Our intermodal services have grown well in recent years, and this new office ensures that we have the space to continue expanding in years to come. We are honoured that Lord Berkeley was able to open our office and we look forward to continuing to increase the volume of containers moved by rail.”

Lord Tony Berkeley, Chairman of the Rail Freight Group, said: “I am delighted to have formally opened DB Schenker Rail UK’s new office at the Port of Southampton. They have grown remarkably well at the port since opening their terminal five years ago. Demand to move containers by rail continues to increase year on year and I hope this new facility will help encourage even more growth in rail freight.”