Logistics specialist Eddie Stobart and rail operator DB Schenker have launched a high-speed rail link via Eurotunnel from Valencia in Spain to Dagenham, Essex.
The new project brought Capespan citrus into the UK by rail for the first time last week under the freight operator’s strapline, Working Together We Deliver A Greener World.
The project features purpose-built containers, holding up to 26 pallets each on a dedicated train, typically departing from Valencia at midnight Wednesday and arriving into the Ford Motors Dagenham site on Friday at 6am.
Capespan received several citrus containers for The Co-operative from grower Torres and Schuback, and met them on arrival at The Co-operative Food’s Retail Logistics site in West Thurrock last Friday.
The Co-operative and Capespan have committed to use the service from the outset. Jim Atkinson, category buyer for produce for The Co-operative Food, said: “The end-to-end transit time was comparable with existing road transport, yet would save up to 400,000 road miles in the first season.”
Stobart Rail is looking to develop the service further. William Stobart, Stobart Group chief operating officer, said: “We are investigating the opportunity to extend the train service from Dagenham... to our multi-modal terminal at Widnes, which is the ideal hub for distribution into the heartland of the UK.
“At Widnes we also have extensive chilled warehouse and distribution facilities, adding further synergies and all part of our multi-modal logistics offering to Stobart customers,” he added.
On the return journey to Spain, the train will be full of pallets being carried for CHEP.
Eventually Stobart hopes to increase the service to five trains a week.
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