GB Railfreight and Maritime Transport have agreed a new multi-year contract to move freight across the United Kingdom. The deal extends a long-standing relationship between the rail operator and logistics firm. Their collaboration is centred on intermodal flows linking deep-sea ports with inland terminals. Services will continue to connect key gateways, including Tilbury, London Gateway and Felixstowe, with Maritime’s network of rail-served distribution sites across the country.
The agreement reinforces the role of rail freight within Maritime’s wider logistics model, particularly on long-distance trunk haulage. Both companies say the contract will support supply chain resilience while contributing to lower emissions. Shifting container flows from road to rail is expected to reduce lorry mileage, easing congestion on key corridors while supporting efforts to improve air quality and network reliability.
Rail flows link ports with inland terminals
Under the new agreement, Peterborough headquartered GB Railfreight will continue to operate services between major container ports and Maritime’s inland terminals. These include established rail hubs positioned to serve regional distribution markets, offering an alternative to long-distance road haulage. The flows form part of a broader intermodal strategy, combining port connectivity with inland handling and storage capacity. Maritime is also pioneering zero-emissions ‘final-mile’ heavy logistics, which is something they showcased at the recent official opening of Northampton Gateway, their latest inland rail terminal.
The partnership between the two companies dates back more than twenty years, during which time services have expanded in both scale and geographic reach. New routes have been introduced as inland terminals have developed, reflecting demand for rail-connected logistics. The latest contract provides continuity for existing flows while allowing scope for further network adjustments as volumes and customer requirements evolve.
Integrated logistics model gains traction
Maritime Transport, owned by a subsidiary of shipping giants MSC, has increasingly positioned rail at the centre of its logistics offering. That’s particularly notable for trunk movements between ports and inland hubs. The approach aligns with wider industry efforts to reduce dependence on long-distance road haulage, especially as pressure grows on driver availability and network capacity. Rail services offer predictable transit times and the ability to move higher volumes in a single movement.
At the same time, the company has been investing in road fleet decarbonisation and terminal infrastructure. Sites such as Northampton Gateway have been developed as integrated hubs, combining rail connectivity with warehousing and road distribution. This allows rail to handle the main line haul, with road vehicles used for shorter, local delivery legs from inland terminals to final destinations.
Another sweet deal: Coke goes zero
On the same day as the rail contract announcement, Maritime confirmed a separate agreement with Coca-Cola to deploy electric heavy goods vehicles on distribution work. The deal will see eHGVs (electric heavy goods vehicles) used for deliveries from key logistics sites, forming part of a broader shift towards lower-emission road transport. It reflects growing interest in battery-electric vehicles for short-range freight applications.
The development underlines how Maritime is linking its rail operations with emerging zero-emission road technologies. Electric trucks are already being considered for final-mile distribution from rail-served terminals, including sites such as Northampton Gateway. In this model, rail handles the long-distance movement, while eHGVs complete the last stage, offering a combined approach to reducing overall logistics emissions.