UK’s Latest Intermodal Rail Freight Hub Opens in Doncaster
22nd February 2018
iPort Rail in Doncaster, the UK’s newest intermodal inland rail freight hub, is now open and fully operational, welcoming its first train this week.
Located on a 30-acre site within the 337-acre iPort logistics hub, iPort Rail is a state-of-the-art rail freight facility able to accommodate the UK’s longest trains up to six times a day. It has storage capacity for 1,500 TEUs and a reach stacker operation with a 115-tonne front axle load.
The site connects to the East Coast Main Line and is located next to the M18, close to Doncaster Sheffield Airport and within two hours of the East Coast’s deep water ports.
iPort Rail has been developed by pan-European logistics specialist Verdion, who will also operate the site rather than outsourcing its management in order to maintain an integrated facility.
Michael Hughes, CEO of Verdion, said: “Rail freight is going to become an increasingly important part of the supply chain over the next decade. Customer demand for next day – and even next hour – delivery is increasing and just one train can replace 60-70 HGV movements with only a quarter of the carbon emissions.
“Connectivity is the most important factor. Rail terminals need to be properly integrated into logistics hubs for greatest efficiency. But with strains on the road network and questions over customs arrangements over the next three years, the certainty that rail freight and inland ports offer should make them important factors in corporate decision-making.”
iPort itself also offers up to 6 million sq ft of logistics warehousing, with Amazon, CEVA, Fellowes and Lidl already taking space. Amazon’s 1.1 million mega-shed was completed last year.