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Intermodal
November / December 2016

Intermodal

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Aurizon opens Sydney shuttle

Australia ’ s largest rail based transport business , Aurizon has commenced its inaugural rail port shuttle from the Port of Botany to the Aurizon ’ s Enfield Intermodal facility in Sydney . The Enfield to Port Botany service is part of Aurizon ’ s investment at Enfield , providing customers with “ efficient and seamless ” services from the Port to Western Sydney . A single port shuttle also removes up to 45 individual truck movements per day from Sydney roads . The initial service is operating six times a week with plans to increase the number of services over the medium term to accommodate customer demand . Recently Aurizon announced a new five-year contract with K & S Freighters including the movement of up to 20,000 TEU a year . K & S will be a beneficiary of the new port shuttle . Aurizon began operations at Enfield on 9 May 2016 under a 10-year lease of facilities at Enfield Intermodal Logistics Centre ( ILC ) owned by NSW Ports . Aurizon executive vice president customer & strategy , Mauro Neves said the Port Shuttle Service represents a breakthrough for customers in the congested Sydney region . “ We are delighted to have operated the first shuttle and look forward to welcoming more customers on board through delivering safe , efficient and reliable rail services through Sydney ,” Neves said . “ The Enfield Intermodal Terminal is ideally positioned in Sydney ’ s inner west with direct and dedicated rail freight corridor to Port Botany .” he said . NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas said that the commencement of the port shuttle service is another important milestone in the development of the Enfield site . “ Intermodal facilities such as Enfield will become a vital part of the future port supply chain for New South Wales , becoming inland extensions to Port Botany , allowing the needs of the people and businesses of New South Wales to be met into the future ,” said Calfas . “ NSW Ports has set a target to move three million TEU per year by rail by 2045 to meet the state ’ s growing trade needs into the future ,” Calfas continued . “ The commencement of the port shuttle service at Enfield is important in achieving this and provides a platform for the future growth and development of this new transport and warehousing hub in Sydney .” Every one million TEU moved by rail reduces the number of trucks on the roads around Port Botany by more than 900 trucks each day , Aurizon claims .

Expanding Ely

Work to increase track capacity at Potter Logistics ’ rail freight terminal in Ely , Cambridgeshire , UK has been completed . Building on over 25 years of rail freight distribution at Ely , 5.7 km of new track , spread across 13 sidings , is being introduced on 10 acres of the site for train storage . The terminal , which benefits from Potter Logistics ’ existing rail connections , was originally bought by the company in 1981 . Security at the site is assured with high security fencing , CCTV and remote monitoring as part of the new development . Thanks to work carried out by Potter and suppliers Alma Rail , the site boasts up-to-date and improved opportunities for the Ely and wider Anglia region . Potter Logistics ’ commitment to the area does not stop there : another 15 acres of the site is primed for B2 and B8 land development . Commercial director Stuart Taylor said : “ The Ely site has always offered great potential for development for railconnected train and wagon storage and we are pleased that our plans are about to be realised . The latest expansion of the terminal ’ s facilities is one more step in the site ’ s success story and we look forward to seeing the benefits that this growth - and future land developments - will bring to the area . In addition , we expect the site ’ s success to provide a blueprint for similar development at Potter ’ s other terminals in Selby , North Yorkshire and Knowsley , Merseyside .”

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