NEWS\\\


Issue 5 2021 - Freight Business Journal


7


Passengers to freight for Luſthansa A321s


Luſthansa Cargo is to permanently convert two of its Airbus 321 passenger aircraſt into freighters. The twin-engine medium-haul aircraſt will receive large cargo doors to enable the transport of containers


on the main


deck. They will be operated by Luſthansa CityLine on behalf of


Luſthansa Cargo and stationed in Frankfurt. The aircraſt can transport 28


tonnes per flight, significantly more than is possible in the bellyholds of short-haul passenger aircraſt. The carrier cited surging


e-commerce volumes as the reason behind its decision.


Irish Rail, XPO Logistics and Port of Waterford are to launch a new intermodal service between Ballina, Co. Mayo and Waterford Belview in June – only the second such train in the whole of the country. It will operate twice-weekly in both directions. The only other container rail


service in Ireland is operated by IWT between Dublin and Ballina. Using rail could transfer up


to 5,000 truck movements each year from road to rail, with a resulting reduction in road congestion and around a 75% reduction in emissions per


unit. XPO Logistics managing director


transport – UK and


Ireland Dan Irish transport minister Eamon Ryan is keen


to transfer freight from road to greener modes and said: “Rail and other sustainable solutions will play an important role on our journey to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. This new freight service offers


a climate friendly option connecting enterprises from the West to the Southeast of the country and onwards to export markets and we look forward to growing our rail freight operations soon.” Irish Rail is currently finalising a strategic plan for the growth of rail freight between key locations across the country. Chief executive Jim Meade said the announcement not


only demonstrates “the


viable opportunities that can be developed that will not just support industry and the logistics sector, but is also fully aligned with the country’s climate action plan.” The rail company is planning to support and deliver freight growth plans by procurement of a new fleet of freight wagons.


Mossend rail terminal poised for growth


Mossend International Railfreight Park (MIRP) to the south of Glasgow is expanding its operation to provide a further 2.2 million sq ft (200,000 sq m) of logistics and manufacturing space. Phase 1 gained unanimous approval from the North Lanarkshire Council’s Planning Committee in May. This covers the layout of the rail terminal, as well as a new access road to the north of the site, which will pass over the new bridge already constructed across the M8 motorway. Site preparations are now


largely complete, with rail yard construction due to start


imminently, and a construction project management team has been appointed. Andrew Stirling, director


at owner PD Stirling explains: “We have also just lodged our second application, which includes engineering works for site preparation and infrastructure, industrial and distribution use including site access, as well as site platforming, utilities and green landscaping.” Completion will be phased


with the rail terminal completed in the second quarter of 2023 and the warehouse and logistics park development will start during that same year.


Great British Railways pledges to create more space for freight


The government promised to work with the market to enhance freight capacity on the rail network for freight


and grow the market in the Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail, published on 20 May, which


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