Brexit transition indicates opportunities for rail freight
Freight trains are running well through the Channel Tunnel in the immediate aftermath of the Brexit transition period on January 1, according to Rail Freight Group Director General Maggie Simpson OBE.
Problems suffered by the road haulage sector (as reported in the national media) appear not to have had an impact on the rail sector. Indeed, Simpson sees opportunities for rail freight.
Speaking to RAIL on February 2, she highlighted changes that are also being made to the way containers were being shipped to the UK and how deep sea operators were moving to facilities such as Port of Liverpool, which can handle vessels carrying up to 14,000 TEUs (Twenty-foot equivalent units). More TEUs were also being diverted to Tees, Immingham and Hull Docks. All are served by rail.
Simpson also said there was an increase in unaccompanied trailers being sent by businesses from Europe, which could mean “opportunities for freight through the Tunnel”.
There have been issues with some companies in the supply chain suspending cross-Channel business, but that’s largely down to them needing time to learn the new Brexit protocols. Simpson expects that to be resolved quickly.
HS1 also remains an option, she said: “It’s really good for containers or European-gauge wagons, but traditionally we’ve only been allowed on it at night.
It’s not cheap, but that doesn’t always matter because it is quicker to London. There has to be opportunities there for more containers - opportunities for the displacement of air freight.”
GB Railfreight Managing Director John Smith told RAIL on February 1 that there has already been migration from vessels using the Dover Straits to deep sea ports around the UK. Some smaller ports were also beginning to receive enough containers for a trainload.
He added that while GBRf retains an interest in using the Channel Tunnel, delivering new trains built in Europe for the UK and a china clay service from Belgium is the current expectation for European traffic.