Maritime Transport, a division of MSC, has formally inaugurated its ninth strategic rail freight interchange (SRFI) at the SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton (SLPN). An official opening ceremony was held last Friday, 27 February, marking a milestone for the sprawling warehouse complex. The event was attended by Rail Minister Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, alongside around two hundred industry stakeholders. The 17-acre open-access facility has been described as a significant expansion of the UK’s inland rail freight capacity.
The new terminal provides essential northbound and southbound connections to Europe’s busiest mixed traffic route, the West Coast Main Line, via the loop that serves the town of Northampton. Developed through an £80 million investment by SEGRO, the site can accommodate the UK’s longest freight trains, at up to 775m long. The rail freight facility has a container storage capacity exceeding 2,500 TEU and is designed to handle up to 16 daily services. This infrastructure strengthens the “golden triangle” of UK logistics, providing direct motorway access and efficient rail connectivity for the region.
Integration into the national rail network
The facility was integrated into the national network in 2025, quickly establishing itself with a five-day intermodal service from DP World Southampton (see our sister service RailFreight.com). Notably, this freight service was the first revenue-earning train to utilise the fully reinstated Oxford–Bletchley section of East West Rail – a passenger-led project that had been criticised for lacking freight intentions. This creates a vital new corridor across central England, linking deep-sea ports with inland markets. Maritime plans to introduce further services as part of a phased expansion programme to increase national supply chain resilience.
According to Gary Walsh, Route Director West Coast South at Network Rail, the project demonstrates how industry collaboration unlocks sustainable transport. He stated that the delivery of this interchange is “testament to collaboration across the industry and demonstrates how we can unlock new opportunities”. By moving freight from road to rail, the project supports broader environmental goals. The terminal’s location allows logistics providers to reach 90% of the UK population within a four-hour drive time.
Commitment to sustainable logistics infrastructure
The terminal is currently served by a quartet of diesel reachstakers – three Sany and one Kone. There are no current plans for a gantry. The opening highlighted the long-term capital investment required for such complex infrastructure projects. Paul Dunne, Managing Director at SEGRO plc, who are the overall developers, noted that these projects only succeed with the right policy environment and commitment. He stated: “At SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, we have invested over £80m to build the freight terminal and rail connections, helping strengthen the UK’s rail freight network while supporting international trade and national supply chain resilience.”
John Williams, Executive Chairman of Maritime Transport, reflected on the company’s 25-year history during the ceremony. He emphasised that shifting freight to rail is a highly effective method for reducing carbon emissions. Williams noted: “Since 2019, we have invested more than £100 million in developing our rail terminal network, with further investment planned to increase national capacity, strengthen connectivity between the UK’s major ports and inland markets, and expand the rail capability available to our customers.” Maritime was recently bought over by MSC through their Medlog operation, but retains its identity in the UK.
Decarbonising the first and final mile
A key feature of the event was the display of four electric HGVs from the Maritime ZERO division. The company is currently deploying more than 50 eHGVs nationwide as part of a UK government-backed demonstrator programme. Northampton will serve as a hub for these zero-emission operations, featuring high-powered charging infrastructure. This allows for the seamless integration of green road transport with rail services. The eFREIGHT 2030 project will further support Maritime ZERO low-carbon commercial freight operations.
Maritime aims to lead the industry in decarbonisation by utilising rail for long distances and electric vehicles for local deliveries. John Williams stated: “We are committed to creating the cleanest, most sustainable full-load supply chain in the country, utilising rail for long-distance journeys and eHGVs for first and final miles, and Northampton Gateway Rail Freight Terminal is an important step in delivering that ambition.”
Build out of the rail freight terminal is complete. The four rail lines (two reception roads and two handling roads) do not compare to the vast marshalling yards that once dotted the British landscape. However, its compact nature reflects the efficiency of modern intermodal freight handling. There is still plenty of potential to fulfil, with the terminal ready to ramp up to a capacity of sixteen trains per day.