UK-based logistics company Maritime Transport is getting closer to completion of East Midlands Gateway (EMG), its new intermodal terminal at Castle Donington. The facility will be launched in early 2020. EMG will be able to handle up to sixteen 775-metre freight trains daily and store up to 5,000 TEU.

EMG will become the largest rail terminal in the Maritime Transport’s network and will serve the major conurbations of Derby, Leicester, Nottingham, Castle Donington, and Kegworth. It is already occupied with tenants such as Amazon, Shop Direct, K&N, and Nestle. Together with ongoing construction works, the logistics company is providing the future 17-acre terminal with the necessary handling equipment. Three new Sany reach stackers and two Sany empty container handlers have been delivered by Cooper Specialised Handling to the location recently.

“We believe the numerous benefits EMG has to offer will quickly be realised, and so having these machines ready to go to work will be crucial in enabling us to meet all customer requirements. Operating this terminal is a major milestone, and we look forward to offering customers even more advanced rail solutions,” said John Bailey, Operations Director at Maritime Transport.

Maritime Intermodal

Besides handling containers, EMG will also serve as a headquarters of Maritime Intermodal, the company’s rail subdivision launched in April of this year. The latter will have a three-storey office at the terminal. Maritime Transport plans to use the new facility customer appointments, training workshops, and day-to-day operations, with state-of-the-art facilities for staff to utilise. Moreover, the company obtained planning permission for a vehicle maintenance unit to carry out container repairs and conversions as well as trailer servicing and minor vehicle repairs to its fleet. Refuelling and reefer points will also be installed on the terminal.

Maritime Transport is doing intermodal business in the UK market for over 18 years. It offers container transport and storage, freight management, curtain-sided distribution and intermodal services. Within this year, the company is being actively developing its rail services. After launching Maritime Intermodal division, it concluded an agreement with DB Cargo UK for hauling its rail connections with two Class 66 diesel locomotives branded in the livery of Maritime Transport. In July the logistics provider launched two dedicated rail services from DP World London Gateway to its rail terminals in Trafford Park and Wakefield.