The inauguration of the new Solent Rail Terminal by the Minister for Rail and HS2, Huw Merriman, signifies the completion of a £17.5 million partnership investment between Associated British Ports and Solent Stevedores.

The extensive rail upgrade project, spanning 18 months, bolsters Southampton’s stature as the UK’s premier gateway for deep-sea trade. Celebrated with a plaque unveiling ceremony on March 20, the event brought together leaders from the rail freight and maritime sectors at the Solent Stevedores’ operated Solent Rail Terminal in the western docks.

Alastair Welch, Regional Director of ABP Southampton, Stuart Cullen, Executive Chairman of Solent Stevedores, Rail Minister Hew Merriman, Fiona Robson, Managing Director of Solent Stevedores and Mark Hooper, Rail and Containers Director of Solent Stevedores at the Solent Rail Terminal opening.

This substantial investment in the port’s rail infrastructure has birthed an expansive 18-acre facility, enlarging the intermodal rail transport site. Laden and empty container handling, storage, maintenance, and repair services are now consolidated within a single-site boundary—a pioneering feat for the Port of Southampton.

Key features of the new site include a redesigned track layout that facilitates simultaneous train arrivals and departures, bolstering terminal efficiency. Moreover, the rail loading pad has been extended by 130m. The expanded intermodal site, inclusive of container storage with comprehensive maintenance and repair facilities, is geared to accommodate a 71 percent surge in daily services, handling a 125 percent increase in container volume.

This novel offering for deep-sea shipping lines has already garnered acclaim, clinching the Driving Rail Freight Growth award at the RFG Awards last year, which honours entities contributing to rail freight growth, benefiting both the environment and the economy.

The construction endeavours, spearheaded by Ryebridge Construction, have not only fortified rail facilities at the Port of Southampton but have also conferred customers with greater autonomy over container placement and storage.

Stuart Cullen, executive chairman of Solent Stevedores, remarked, “The completion of this project heralds a transformative era for intermodal transport at the Port of Southampton. As the latest addition to our long-term investment agenda, it significantly augments our container management capabilities at the port. This leap in efficiency at the rail terminal markedly contributes to the government’s objective of achieving Net Zero by 2050.”

Alastair Welch, regional director of ABP Southampton, echoed this sentiment, stating, “This project exemplifies expansion in container handling, augmented rail utilisation, reduced reliance on HVGs, and the introduction of new services within the port precinct. We take pride in our enduring partnership with Solent Stevedores, aiding them in their mission to curtail carbon emissions across both their operations and the wider port.”

Rail minister Huw Merriman affirmed, “The railway plays an indispensable role in ferrying goods to and from ports across the UK, underpinning economic growth and mobility. Hence, last year, the government articulated an ambitious objective to propel rail freight by at least 75 percent by 2050. Today’s inauguration of the Solent Rail Terminal underscores the industry’s resilience and growth aspirations. I am gratified that this multi-million-pound enhancement will furnish the Port of Southampton with the requisite capacity to flourish.”

For more information visit www.abports.co.uk

21 March 2024