DB Cargo UK hosts top-level talks on plans to grow international rail freight traffic

The event was hosted by the company’s CEO Andrea Rossi and involved a range of influential figures from Government, business and the rail freight sector.

Among the attendees were senior representatives from the Department for Transport, the Department for International Trade and the Great British Railways Transition Team. They were joined by representatives from DB Cargo UK’s European sister company Transfesa, Channel Tunnel operators Eurotunnel and major names from the supermarket retail and automotive sectors.

During the meeting they discussed the barriers and opportunities to increase the volume of rail freight going through the Channel Tunnel, which is particularly relevant given the huge problems currently being experienced at some of the UK’s ports.

DB Cargo UK’s CEO Andrea Rossi said:

“Growing our international traffic and developing new European corridors are key strategic objectives for DB Cargo and there is no better time to drive forward discussions on what needs to change to achieve this.

“I was incredibly heartened by everyone’s willingness to engage in open and frank discussions on the future of international rail freight and the solutions it presents to many issues facing society at the present time,” he added.

DB Cargo UK recently successfully bid for funding to create a new ‘Customs Approval Area’ at its intermodal terminal at Barking in London.

Thanks to a £470,000 award from the Government’s multi-million pound Port Infrastructure Fund, work is due to begin shortly to build a new inland border control facility at the site to speed up the seamless movement of goods into and out of the country following the end of the Brexit transition period.

The investment will fund the construction of a new warehouse, where Border Control staff will be able to conduct inspections and where containers can be loaded and unloaded for onward travel. It will also include a new secure storage area to hold any confiscated/seized goods, additional site security and office and welfare facilities for HMRC staff.

“Barking is already a key staging post between the UK and Europe and plays an important role in the import and export of materials, consumer goods and produce for use both home and abroad,” said Andrea.

“Every week train-loads of refrigerated containers and automotive components from Spain pass through the terminal en-route to suppliers up and down the country. This latest investment will ensure Barking continues to play a significant role in the seamless transportation of goods to and from Europe,” he added.

ENDS

For further information contact DB Cargo UK Head of Strategy and Policy Kathryn Oldale on 07342 056561 or by emailing her at Kathryn.oldale@deutschebahn.com