TruckandTrackAutumn2019

Truck and Track Autumn 2019 www.truckandtrack.com 78 PORTS Forth Ports has announced that, in partnership with Direct Rail Services (DRS) and Eddie Stobart, the rail service which provides a regular weekend link between the Port of Tilbury and the Port of Grangemouth, Scotland’s largest port, has been made permanent. Following a successful trial, the new regular two-way rail link now serves Forth Ports’ customers in the South of England and Central Scotland from Friday (9th August). The service which uses DRS’s state-of-the-art locomotives and wagon fleet has the capacity to travel with 36 containers and is managed by Eddie Stobart, working closely with both Forth Ports and DRS. The containers travelling from Tilbury carry cargo including retail goods, food and drink while the return journey supports Scotland’s export market with the movement of spirits, chemicals and fresh food. The two-way rail service provides Forth Ports’ customerswith a cost effective and sustainable means of moving goods between ports while benefiting from reduced carbon emissions without using the already-congested UK road network. The first train leaves Tilbury on Friday evening, via Dagenham, travellingovernight toarriveat GrangemouthonSaturdaymorning. Rob Mason, Senior Commercial Manager at Forth Ports, said: “The response from customers to our two-way rail service between the Ports of Tilbury and Grangemouth has been so encouraging that it means we can now operate the service regularly every weekend starting this Friday. “Business at our busy container terminals is growing rapidly and it has become hugely important that we were able to connect these two ports by rail. This new service highlights our commitment to providing sustainable and cost-effective logistics solutions for our customers, helping them to grow and increasing their competitiveness in the supply chain. “We look forward to partnering with Eddie Stobart and DRS on what is the first regular rail service linking our ports in Tilbury and Grangemouth and opening up a number of import and export opportunities for our business and customers.” John Clark, Sector Director at Eddie Stobart, said: “Following on from a successful trial in June, the service now allows the South of England to be connected by rail into Grangemouth at the weekend when road driving resource is at a premium. “Working in partnership with Forth Ports and Direct Rail Services, we are extremely confident that this service will prove to be a real benefit for logistics companies at both ends of the country.” Forth Ports introduces permanent rail service between Grangemouth & Tilbury The Port of Ayr has signed a new multi-year contract with the leading Scottish trader of grains and animal feed raw materials, Cefetra Ltd, further strengthening its position as the agricultural trade centre for the SouthWest of Scotland. A number of recent ABP investments in infrastructure and port handling equipment have helped secure this new contract. These include the construction of the port’s new£2.2millionBute agribulk terminal, as well as new state-of-the-art cranes and wide-ranging improvements to shore side infrastructure.. AndrewMackay CEOCefetra Ltd, said: “We are pleased to announce that we will be expanding our operations in Scotland by adding the Port of Ayr as a location. This will enable us to offer our customers in the South West of Scotland a local port to source some of their key rawmaterials. “We appreciate the effort and commitment that ABP has shown to Scottish Agriculture by agreeing to provide a first-class, purpose- built, facility that meets all the industry standards and that will allow Cefetra to provide the efficient supply of key rawmaterials to our customers in the SouthWest of Scotland.” Built by 3b construction, a Scottish, family-owned company, the new terminal offers 4,000 sqm of storage space and will enhance the port’s customer offering. The newdeal will also result in an increase in the volumes of animal feed and foodstuffs passing through the port, which will in turn help support South West Scotland’s growing agricultural sector. Currently, the port supports a growing number of customers from the Scottish agricultural sector and it plays an important role in supporting the region’s economy. Stuart Cresswell, ABP’s Port Manager at Ayr and Troon, said: “We look forward to strengthening our partnership with Cefetra with this new deal, which represents one of the most significant developments at the port for many years. The development also helps to cement the growing role that the Port of Ayr has been playing in supporting SouthWest Scotland’s farming community.” “Our continuous investments in our ports in Scotland mean that we are equipped with the right facilities and skills to provide our customers with the highest standards of service and help grow the region’s economy.” Port of Ayr wins new animal feed customer Left to right: AndrewMackay, CEO Cefetra Ltd and Stuart Cresswell, ABP’s Port Manager at Ayr and Troon LOADS MORE TRUCKS & TRAILERS 01543 420 121 www. deker .co.uk