Neill & Brown has launched a European rail freight service between the UK and Italy in a joint venture with its Italian logistics partner, Sogedim.
The two companies have made a significant investment in Huckepack trailers to provide seamless intermodal transport to and from Italy.
The new service is suitable for a wide range of goods and reportedly complements the firm’s established European road and sea services. Additionally, it offers customers a lower-carbon alternative on one of the continent’s busiest freight corridors.
Manufacturers have already delivered six specialist reinforced trailers, designed for both rail and road transport, to Neill & Brown for carrying customers’ goods bound for Italy.
The trailers will be taken by the company’s trucks from its Hessle headquarters via road and then ferry from Hull, before cranes lift them onto a freight train at Zeebrugge.
Carl Andrew, Neill & Brown’s Logistics Director, said: “We have a superb relationship with Sogedim and believe this joint venture has great potential.
“It is a major investment in an efficient and reliable mode of transport to and from one of our most popular destinations, and we are thrilled to see the delivery of these striking additions to our fleet.
“By taking advantage of the existing rail freight infrastructure on the UK-Italy route, we can now provide more choice to our customers, who are increasingly looking for less carbon intensive haulage solutions.”
Last week, South Carolina Ports (SC Ports) advanced on two major infrastructure projects at the Port of Charleston to boost rail capacity and expand operations at the Hugh K. Leatherman Terminal.
