DB Schenker, DP World in London Gateway rail deal

   DP World London Gateway and DB Schenker Rail said Monday they have signed an agreement to provide rail services from the new U.K. deep-sea port, which opens in the fourth quarter of 2013.
   The agreement will see DB Schenker Rail introduce at least four rail freight services a day (four in, four out), subject to volumes, and will serve a range of inland terminals including potential new U.K. locations. Additional rail freight services will be introduced in the future, the German company said.
   DB Schenker Rail will also pursue the development of rail freight services from London Gateway to mainland Europe using the Channel Tunnel.
   “London Gateway is the most significant logistics project in the intermodal sector, and it will be home to the largest rail freight terminal in the U.K.,” said Carsten Hinne, managing director of logistics for DB Schenker Rail U.K. “The services which we will launch at London Gateway will be the first of many freight trains that we will operate from the port, forming a strong rail freight network across the UK and mainland Europe for customers.
   “The wider DB Schenker group is pursuing a range of shipping line options for its international clients through London Gateway, in the anticipation that they can have containers handled through the port during late 2013.”
   DB Schenker said the trains will help remove more than 4,000 truck moves per week from U.K. roads.
   “Rail freight services to and from London Gateway will provide a reliable, easy and efficient movement of goods between the port and the major population centers in the U.K., while reducing the carbon footprint for cargo owners,” said Simon Moore, chief executive officer for DP World London Gateway. “We believe rail will be more competitive from London Gateway than any other U.K. port destination.”