DP World’s Modal Shift Programme moves 100,000 containers

DP World has recorded the 100,000th container moved by rail from its Southampton logistics hub as part of its carbon emission reducing Modal Shift Programme trial.

“The share of rail freight for onward journeys by containers arriving by sea at DP World Southampton has risen from 21% at the start of the programme to more than 30% today,” said DP World in a statement. “The increase means 100,000 more containers have started their onward journey by rail than without the incentive.”

The landmark 100,000th container departed Southampton by freight train carrying goods being shipped for major retailer Halfords.

In reaching this total, the Modal Shift Programme has removed more than 25,000 tonnes of CO₂e from supply chains, cut road congestion by shifting approximately 8 million road miles to rail freight. DP World now aims to further increase the share of rail freight towards 40% in 2026.

“Through a combination of detailed analysis, customer engagement and responding to new market trends, we have further refined the programme trial since its launch in September 2023 and set our sights on continued growth in the share of rail freight for the onward journeys all containers make after arriving at Southampton,” stated John Trenchard, Vice President of Commercial & Supply Chain at DP World in the UK.

The programme pays customers a direct financial incentive for each import laden container moved by rail from DP World Southampton to a railhead within 140 miles. DP World’s Modal Shift Programme trial has now resulted in the establishment of four new daily cargo rail services from Southampton to Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands Gateway and Doncaster.

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