Martin Harris OBE, UK Ambassador to Romania, officially opened Tibbett
Logistics' second intermodal (road-rail) terminal in Bucharest this week,
following a 6.4 million euro investment in the development. Tibbett
Logistics is part of the fast-growing UK-based Keswick Enterprises group.
The opening ceremony at Europolis Park was attended by some 200 guests from
multinational manufacturers, retailers, forwarders and shippers, along with
other local dignitaries.
His Excellency Ambassador Harris emphasised in his speech the environmental
benefits of the new terminal - pointing out in particular that analysts
predict savings of 16.6 million tonnes of CO2 a year as a result of fewer
truck movements in and around Bucharest because of the terminal development
alone.
He commented: "When I arrived in Romania in 2010 one of my first trips was
to Constanta, which is one of the largest ports in Europe. I found it
extraordinary that many companies in Romania preferred to be supplied from
Rotterdam, two thousand kilometres away by truck. One year later, that is
changing. The upgrade to the railway line, and the new intermodal terminal
in Bucharest, make Constanta an increasingly attractive option."
In his speech, Ambroziu Duma, representing the Port of Constanta
Administration, also outlined the importance of hinterland transportation
solutions for the successful development of goods traffic through Constanta,
emphasising the large volume of goods that are still being transported by
road to Romania via the northern European ports - at significant unnecessary
cost to both consumers and the environment.
To mark the official opening, the first fully loaded train entered the
terminal to the accompaniment of fireworks and rousing music (Mr Blue Sky by
ELO). This coincided with the cessation of the rain that had been falling
continuously for the previous 12 hours!
The first stage of Tibbett Logistics' second intermodal terminal in
Bucharest commences operations with 12,000 sq metres of platform and 2.5 km
of rail track, plus an accompanying 6,500 sq metre rail-connected warehouse
in the middle of the site. This platform provides an immediate capacity of
approximately 1,200 TEU - a figure that is set to double by the fourth
quarter of 2012 with the scheduled completion of the second development
phase.
As well as block trains operated by Tibbett Logistics itself between
Constanta and Bucharest, the terminal is open to all end-users and
operators, and will handle trains to/from the EU, Turkey and western
Romania. Early 2012 will see the arrival of the first trains with
car-transporter wagons.
CEO, David Goldsborough, said: "This is a proud moment for both Tibbett
Logistics and Keswick Enterprises - and it is gratifying to see so many
visitors and such interest from the industry. With the price of diesel in
Romania rising 55% since January 2009, rail-based transport operations have
become not only environmentally friendly, but also financially vital.
"The success of any intermodal terminal development rests not only on its
facilities, but also on its location. This is where we really score - as
freight trains are now able to travel from the port of Constanta almost to
the door of the major retailers and manufacturers in Bucharest. At this
site we are within a few kilometres of all the city's main industrial and
logistics parks - from which the major part of the logistics needs of the
nation are served."
Tibbett Logistics is Romania's largest privately owned contract logistics
specialist. In addition to its intermodal activities it offers
comprehensive services to the automotive, textiles, retail and other FMCG
sectors throughout Romania and beyond - operating approximately 100,000
square metres of warehousing plus a distribution fleet comprising tilt
trailers, double- and triple-chamber reefers and container chassis, along
with its own intermodal rail wagons.