Freeport East, centred on the ports of Felixstowe and Harwich, celebrated the coronation of King Charles with something that has become a tradition in the logistics industry. No surprise that the quayside displayed a special stack of shipping containers arranged to show “KC III” in characters over ten metres tall. This impressive display of loyalty emphasised the massive scale of intermodal operations at the port, which is also Britain’s busiest intermodal rail freight terminal.

Demurrage charges may have to be waived for the shipper waiting to load the one hundred and sixteen containers meticulously arranged to match the cypher of King Charles the Third. The stack, representing more than two train loads, is nevertheless a fraction of the multi-thousand TEU that any of the ocean-going ships deliver to Felixstowe on a daily basis. That massive throughput feeds over thirty intermodal trains a day, moving around thirty-five per cent of all the containers across the port gates at Felixstowe.

Ministerial visit a reality

Last Friday, the day before the coronation (4 May), Freeport East hosted George Freeman MP, the Minister for Science, Innovation, and Technology at the UK Government. In addition to touring the coronation containers, the Minister was introduced to innovations across the vast Freeport East area, including plans to create a Innovation Cluster that would support the development of new technologies and bring new economic opportunities. The government representative may not have counted them all, but the twenty tracks of the rail freight terminal ensure that Felixstowe will be at the forefront of rail-based innovation too.

The Minister was given an update on the Freeport East proposal for a Green Hydrogen Hub, which aims to produce 500MW by 2030, the output of which would help power electric traction, if and when the wires are extended to the port branch line. For now, Felixstowe will have to be content with demonstration trials of automated vehicles, implementation of 5G networks, and green hydrogen production within the port. Harwich Haven Authority also demonstrated their latest dredging technology, which reduces the environmental impact and costs.

Royal visit surely just a matter of time

The grand gesture of the “KC III” stack also served to reiterate the importance of intermodal rail freight operations at Felixstowe. With its vast appetite for maritime and rail traffic Felixstowe has become known as both Britain’s busiest sea port, and the busiest rail port too. However, despite potential for more rail freight handling within the port complex, Felixstowe is operating at near capacity for dispatching trains. Even though terminals are already served all over Great Britain, including destinations in the Midlands, the North West, Wales and Scotland, there is demand for more traffic from an even wider list of destinations.

Given the importance to the UK economy of trade via Felixstowe and Freeport East, it may well be not long before the new monarch makes a visit. The containers will be long gone – shipping makes no money unless it’s being shipped. By using rail, the port can move large volumes of cargo quickly and efficiently, while reducing road congestion and carbon emissions. Now, if there is one thing that King Charles has taken to heart, it is environmental matters. Encouragement from the Palace may be all it takes to see many more stacks and stacks of containers sent forth by train – with royal approval.