DP World lifts rail freight target after success of trial

Global logistics company DP World says it is lifting its target for the amount of freight carried by rail (rather than lorries) from the port city of Southampton to 40% in 2026 following the success of its modal shift programme.

The share of rail freight at Southampton has reached 30% since the programme’s launch in September last year, up from 21%.

READ MORE: DP World launches programme to encourage cargo owners to shift to rail

This has led to the launch of four new daily rail services at the Southampton terminal, taking the total number of weekly scheduled trains at Southampton to 172.

The scheme trial, which has been extended until the end of next year, offers customers a financial incentive to move their imported goods off the road and onto rail.

The firm said it has already contributed to DP World’s goal to take an estimated 300,000 truck journeys off UK roads each year and saved customers and supply chain partners around an incremental 6,400 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the first six months.

"Due to the positive increase in the share of rail freight since the trial’s inception, we believe that we can target a 40% share of rail freight target in 2026," said John Trenchard, the vice-president UK commercial and supply chain at DP World.

"At a time when customers face multiple challenges, including escalating geopolitical uncertainty, increased regulatory risk, and the urgent need to decarbonise supply chains, our Modal Shift Programme has proved highly attractive," he added.

"Over the coming year, DP World is looking forward to working closely with the market to refine the initiative further, helping to ensure it delivers the best results for our customers and their operations, as well as our own.

We are creating a solution that works for all partners across the supply chain."

As well as hubs at Southampton and London Gateway, DP World’s offer includes logistics, freight forwarding and European transport capabilities, all of which are being integrated into a global network handling 10% of world trade.