THE Port of Felixstowe has been named Business of the Year at the annual Rail Freight Group awards.

FELIXSTOWE port has been named Business of the Year at the annual Rail Freight Group awards.

Felixstowe, the largest container porty in the UK, was recognised for its extensive and continuing investments in rail operations, which currently involve 28 scheduled freight train arrivals and departures from the port each day.

The port has worked closely with its freight train operating customers - which include Freightliner, First GBRf and DB Schenker - and Network Rail to achieve sustainable long-term solutions for rail freight from the port.

The award also acknowledges the work done in demonstrating to shipping lines, forwarders, importers and agents that distribution by rail, can be as reliable and flexible as the trucking alternative as well as being a low carbon “green” option.

David Gledhill, chief executive of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, which owns of the Port of Felixstowe, said: “Winning this award is a fantastic achievement and a huge 'pat on the back' to everyone involved in rail operations at the port. Our rail team has worked tirelessly to improve the levels of service we provide to rail users, and the award recognises those efforts.”