Rail freight operations at the Europe-based Freightliner Group have been strengthened with US parent company Genesee & Wyoming Inc’s acquisition of container experts Pentalver Transport Limited. From its container terminals at four key UK seaports, Pentalver provides a key inland logistics link and storage facility.

With headquarters in Southamptons, Pentalver has an inland terminal at Cannock in the West Midlands, close to many of the country’s largest industrial distribution centres, and its new position will enable Freightliner to consolidate its position as the largest provider of maritime container transportation by rail in the UK.

‘unlock efficiencies’

Geese and Wyoming Inc (G&W) says its expects the acquisition of Pentalver will enable it to improve its UK services by providing rail and road transportation, widen its port and inland storage options and ‘unlock efficiencies’ from shared services between Pentalver’s and Freightliner’s own large fleets of trucks. It currently operates off-dock container terminals, most of which are under long-term lease, at Felixstowe, Southampton, London Gateway and Tilbury.

Pentalver will continue to be run by its current Managing Director, Chris Lawrenson, and will operate as part of G&W’s U.K./Europe Region, led by Russell Mears. It is a subsidiary of global ports provider APM Terminals, itself a subsidiary of logistics conglomerate A P Møller-Maersk, which operates in 130 countries.

‘excellent strategic fit’

Jack Hellmann, President and Chief Executive Officer of G&W, said: “The acquisition of Pentalver is an excellent strategic fit with our existing intermodal offering in the UK. With the advent of larger container ships and the growth of distribution centres in the Midlands and throughout the UK, our maritime intermodal customers are seeking greater service optionality, which includes not only rail and road transportation but also the ability to store, maintain and position containers. Amidst the dramatic changes that are structurally altering the global shipping industry, we are pleased to be enhancing our service capabilities to meet the long term needs of our intermodal customers in the UK.”