IPort Rail is linked in…
The UK’s newest rail freight terminal has opened and is keen to boost connectivity for the freight sector
Intermodal rail freight continues to grow in significance, having increased by 6% in 2015-16 according to Office of Rail and Road statistics. It provides a greener, safer and more efficient way of transporting goods than by road, and reportedly contributes almost £1 billion to the country’s economy every year.
What’s more, growth is forecast to continue. Sea port capacity is sufficient, and shipping lines are also continuing to invest. In the past six months alone, two major international shipping companies have announced a building programme for ships of 22,000 TEU (twenty-foot equivalent unit).
Rail freight also helps ensure British manufacturing can compete globally, by sending products on the first or last leg of their global journeys. To ensure that this demand is satisfied, it is important that there is sufficient inland terminal capacity and for new strategically located, purpose-built inland terminals to be available as an integral part of these modern supply chains.
iPort Rail in Doncaster aims to fulfil a major part of this need for central and northern England. iPort Rail was fully connected to the national rail network in December 2017, with the signalling completed in late January 2018, and it is now ready to play its part in the regional and national intermodal landscape, especially around Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Humberside and the M62 corridor.
Doncaster itself has a real location advantage, with access to more than ten million people (around 16% of the UK population) within a 50-mile radius.
The new purpose-built rail terminal - the newest inland facility of this kind for ten years, and one of the top five largest in the UK - is set on some 30 acres that form part of the larger 337-acre iPort site, being developed by European logistics real estate investor and developer Verdion.
John Clements, European Development Director of Verdion, says: “iPort Rail is a huge asset to the wider iPort development.
“It is an important part of our offer to potential customers because of its connectivity and the quality of facility we can provide. Businesses taking space here will be able to take advantage of the major benefits that better access to rail freight offers - even down to occupiers being able to use their own vehicles to link into the rail facility because the entire site is a private estate.
“Verdion’s decision to operate iPort Rail independently also means we will be able to offer all our customers the same high standard facilities and services, and that we are committed to its success long-term. This is the start of something very exciting.”
iPort is one of the UK’s largest multimodal logistics hubs, with planning consent for six million sq ft. Last year Verdion completed a 1.1 million sq ft facility for Amazon on the site, stretching half a kilometre in length. CEVA and Fellowes also operate from the site, while Lidl is set to open a 685,000 sq ft warehouse this year. Build-to-suit opportunities of up to one million sq ft are complemented by a phased speculative development programme to suit more immediate needs.
The rail connection to the national rail network is from the South Yorkshire Joint Line, to the west of Doncaster, on the freight-only line which goes on to Maltby and Worksop. The site is also close to St Catherine’s loop, adjacent to the East Coast Main Line and the gauge-cleared connectivity that the ECML offers both North and South.
The rail facilities include two sidings capable of handling 775-metre trains and a run round loop. There is further space to expand the rail
head as demand grows, potentially doubling the size of the iPort Rail terminal. Two new reach stackers are now on site, and there is space to offer secure storage of up to 1,500 TEU of laden and empty containers.
The site will be open 24 hours a day, six days a week, and according to iPort Rail the rail yard has been designed to maximise operational flexibility and efficiency, while keeping costs down. For instance, there will be opportunity to deliver containers from the railhead directly to distribution centres and warehouses on the iPort estate using IMV/tugs, with associated road delivery cost savings.
Partnerships are important. Clements says that throughout the facility’s development and construction, the iPort Rail team worked closely with Network Rail and will continue to do so, and it will work with customers in the same way. The intention is to help site occupiers to improve their supply chains and all aspects of multimodal distribution.
The management team comprises a number of experienced logistics professionals, headed by Steve Freeman as managing director. He will be supported by David Cross as commercial manager and Andy Wishart as head of operations, while Jane Harrison will head the finance team.
The IT systems have been developed in such a way that real-time direct electronic dealings with customers will be available. iPort Rail says it will continue to work with customers to create fully integrated software solutions based on their needs.
The team at iPort Rail also aims to be a market leader in turn-around times for rail and road. While primarily dealing with intermodal, the facility will look at other freight sectors, such as automotive, steel, energy and parcels to take advantage of the site’s connectivity.
For example, in addition to having good rail links, iPort is well-connected by road for ‘last mile’ deliveries. A brand new dual carriageway, known as Great Yorkshire Way, is already open and allows for easy access to iPort. The M18 is just half a mile away, and the A1 and the M1 are both within easy reach.
However, part of the purpose of iPort Rail is to facilitate the migration of freight from the roads to the rail network. The increased use of rail transport in the freight logistics chain makes sense both economically and environmentally. Transporting goods by rail rather than road reduces CO emissions by 70% per tonne, while nitrous oxide emissions are also reduced 15 times over. Furthermore, an average train can save around 60 longdistance HGV movements.
Security is also very important. The facilities at iPort Rail have been built to SACTIF-approved secure facility standard for international European movement of freight, and the development is considering becoming a HMRC/Border Force recognised site. AEO (Authorised Economic Operator) status is also being considered.
Preparations are also being made in the event that there is an increase in demand for cargo clearance of imported goods from inside and outside the EU. The present Brexit discussions could change existing cross-border arrangements, and iPort Rail will need to be primed to cope with any such changes.
Clements says that whatever happens in terms of Brexit, the company is building links that will help facilitate imports and exports. Discussions are under way with the major deep water ports at Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton, as well as the Humber ports, Teesport and a number of logistics providers in Scotland.
The geographic location of iPort and its rail links through Doncaster mean that all the deep water ports are within around seven hours of the facility. The opportunity for high-speed cross-border intermodal services through the Channel Tunnel is also being considered. New origins and destinations for rail freight are very much part of these discussions.
Clements concludes: “iPort Rail is a truly visionary rail freight terminal, providing highly modern logistics solutions in a strategically important location. And now, after many years’ hard work it is ready to welcome new customers.