This month, Transfesa Logistics will begin a new express freight train service to the UK using refrigerated containers.
Tesco, the UK's largest supermarket chain, has partnered with Transfesa Logistics to transport fruit and vegetables from Spain to the UK.
Fifteen trains a week will run from Almussafes Rail Terminal in Valencia to Barking Rail Terminal in London.
Barking Rail Terminal is operated by DB Cargo (the same group which operates Transfesa Logistics). On the route, the wagons will pass through the Transfesa axle changing facility at the Cerbère to adapt the axles to UIC gauge.
The route and operation will be reviewed weekly and monthly, and the volume may expand depending on the performance of the service.
The train will depart at 8 pm, so the fresh produce can be collected on the same day as departure, meaning the maximum quality of the food is guaranteed.
Additionally, permits have been requested to increase the weight of the cargo that is being transported on HS1 in the UK, with the goal to maximize the transit time.
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Should be ideal as the UK has voted to leave the EU.
Well anonymous I will call you Mr Leaver. Businesses will sell their products to any customer who can pay in spite of political circumstance. I know I am one !!
Could other major supermarkets like Morrisons, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Waitrose, Iceland, Lidl, Aldi, Farmfoods and M&S Foodhall could follow on what Tesco is doing.
Two things – It will last as long as the next ( frequent ) French rail workers strike ! ( As with the Peroni beer container train service and others !) And two why do these trains never have a back load? ( the water train from Daventry and others ) Admittedly harder with refrigerated containers !! But you mean to tell me that no one in the UK exports to Italy ,France or Spain!?