THE Port of Felixstowe has set a new record for the number of containers handled by rail in a single week.

The new landmark figure of 11,474 containers (representing 17,211 TEUs – twenty foot equivalent units, the standard industry measure for container capacity) was the culmination of three consecutive record-breaking weeks for rail freight volumes at the port.

Container traffic representing around 750,000 TEUs a year is already handled through the port’s two existing rail terminals and a third, currently under construction, will eventually more than double capacity for rail freight.

David Gledhill, chief executive of Hutchison Ports (UK), which owns the Port of Felixstowe, said: “These record-breaking volumes have come at a fundamental time, as the Government considers the upgrades to the rail network it will procure over the next five years.

“Whilst a number of works on the Felixstowe to Nuneaton connection have already been completed, these record figures highlight the importance of a strong rail network nationwide, as rail freight becomes an ever more popular method of goods movement.”

He added: “These volumes highlight customer confidence in the rail facilities at Felixstowe, consolidating our position as the port-of-choice for UK importers, and justifying beyond question both the investments we have been making, and those required in the future, to improve still further the choice and frequency of the rail services available to all our customers.”