Freightliner wins contracts from Hapag-Lloyd, MSC

Freightliner wins contracts from Hapag-Lloyd, MSC    The U.K. subsidiaries of Germany’s Hapag-Lloyd and Swiss-based Mediterranean Shipping Co. have both signed contracts for rail services from Freightliner, the largest haulier of maritime containers in the United Kingdom.
   Freightliner secured a two-year agreement from Hapag-Lloyd UK Ltd. to provide rail services to and from Southampton Container Terminal.
   The German ocean carrier is the largest customer at the Port of Southampton following its purchase of CP Ships and the decision by the Grand Alliance to switch calls from Thamesport to SCT. Freightliner expects to move more than 35,000 containers each year for Hapag-Lloyd at SCT.
   'Due to the increasing volumes through Southampton it is important for us to use a reliable rail freight operator,' said Thomas Mandelkau, managing director at Hapag-Lloyd UK Ltd.
   MSC (UK) Ltd. has contracted with Freightliner to carry the equivalent of one full train daily to and from the Port of Felixstowe and Widnes in the North West of England.
   David Petchey, managing director of MSC (UK), said the deal was made 'anticipating growing congestion on Britain's roads and the need to cope with projected growth by greater use of rail and other modes of transport wherever possible.'