Maritime Transport officially opens Northampton Gateway Strategic Rail Freight Interchange

Maritime Transport, the UK’s leading provider of integrated road and rail freight logistics, has officially opened its Strategic Rail Freight Interchange (SRFI) at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton (SLPN). An opening ceremony, held at the SRFI on Friday 27th February 2026, welcomed Rail Minister Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, alongside representatives from SEGRO, local authorities, government, and the wider logistics sector, to recognise the delivery of one of the UK’s most significant new rail-connected logistics hubs. 

Maritime’s ninth rail freight terminal provides direct northbound and southbound connections to the West Coast Main Line via the Northampton loop. Delivered through an £80m+ investment into rail by SEGRO and designed as a modern, open-access facility, the 17-acre SRFI can accommodate the UK’s longest and heaviest freight trains and up to 16 services per day, with container storage capacity exceeding 2,500 TEU. 

The SRFI was integrated into the national rail network in 2025, followed later that year by the launch of a five-day-a-week intermodal service connecting Northampton with DP World Southampton. The service was the first to operate over the full length of the reinstated Oxford–Bletchley section of East West Rail, establishing a new east–west corridor across central England. Additional rail services are planned as part of a phased expansion programme at Northampton, providing further inland connections to the UK’s major deep-sea ports and other UK freight interchanges. 

Located at the heart of the UK’s logistics ‘golden triangle’, SLPN sits adjacent to Junction 15 of the M1, offering direct access to the national motorway network and ability to reach 90% of the UK population within approximately 4 hours’ drive time. The development spans over 600 acres and will ultimately deliver around five million sq ft of logistics accommodation, with rail connectivity embedded as a central element of the site’s design. 

The opening event brought together senior figures from across the logistics community, including ports, shipping lines, freight forwarders, retailers and supply chain partners, as well as representatives from local authorities and central government. Speakers included Minister of State for Rail Lord Hendy of Richmond Hill CBE, Huw Merriman of the Rail Freight Group and former Transport Minister, Paul Dunne, Managing Director, Operations, Digital and Customer at SEGRO plc, and Maritime Group Executive Chairman John Williams. 

Alongside rail investment, the event also highlighted Maritime’s growing zero-emission road capability. Four eHGVs were on display, delivered through Maritime ZERO, the company’s zero-emission road transport division. 

A lead partner in the government-backed Zero Emission HGV and Infrastructure Demonstrator (ZEHID) programme, Maritime is deploying more than 50 eHGVs nationwide while developing one of the UK’s largest privately operated charging networks for heavy goods vehicles. As part of this programme, Northampton will host high-powered charging infrastructure and eHGV operations under the eFREIGHT 2030 project, enabling zero-emission road movements to be integrated directly with rail services, positioning the site as a flagship rail-served hub for low-carbon logistics and demonstrating how rail and road decarbonisation can be delivered across commercial freight operations. 

John Williams, Executive Chairman, Maritime Transport:
‘This year, as Maritime marks 25 years in business, the official opening of our Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton represents another significant milestone in our journey from a small container haulier to a fully integrated road and rail freight logistics partner. Moving freight from road to rail remains one of the most effective ways to reduce carbon emissions across the supply chain. Since 2019, we have invested more than £100 million in developing our rail terminal network, with further investment planned to increase national capacity, strengthen connectivity between the UK’s major ports and inland markets, and expand the rail capability available to our customers. We are committed to creating the cleanest, most sustainable full-load supply chain in the country, utilising rail for long-distance journeys and eHGVs for first and final miles, and Northampton Gateway Rail Freight Terminal is an important step in delivering that ambition.’ 

Lord Peter Hendy, Rail Minister:
‘Our rail freight industry is hugely important to keeping goods moving across the country. We’re committed to growing it because of its benefits for both the economy and environment, and our Railways Bill includes both a growth target and a duty on Great British Railways to promote rail freight. It was brilliant to be at the opening of the new Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at Northampton, which is a big vote of confidence in the rail freight industry, and I’d like to thank SEGRO and Maritime Transport for delivering this great new facility.’ 

Huw Merriman, Rail Freight Group and former Transport Minister:
‘Congratulations to John Williams and the teams at Maritime Transport and SEGRO for investing in, and delivering, this phenomenal new rail-connected logistics hub. The jobs, trade and growth which Maritime and SEGRO have delivered for UK Plc is in the finest traditions of the private sector and what it can do for our economy if encouraged and given the foundations to thrive. This new rail hub is a boost for all who strive to grow rail freight and is a testament to Maritime and SEGRO’s commitment to move more freight on the UK’s railway and decarbonise the logistics sector. It was a pleasure to watch the project develop during my time in Government and to join for the opening on behalf of the Rail Freight Group.’ 

Paul Dunne, Managing Director, Operations, Digital and Customer, SEGRO plc:
‘Strategic rail freight interchanges are complex, capital-intensive infrastructure projects that only happen where we have the right location, policy environment and long-term commitment from developers, operators and Government. At SEGRO Logistics Park Northampton, we have invested over £80m to build the freight terminal and rail connections to the West Coast Main Line, helping strengthen the UK’s rail freight network while supporting international trade and national supply chain resilience.’ 

Gary Walsh, Route Director West Coast South, Network Rail:
‘The successful delivery of the Strategic Rail Freight Interchange at Northampton is testament to collaboration across the industry and demonstrates how we can unlock new opportunities for sustainable transport. Working closely with our partners, we’re delighted to play our part in moving freight from road to rail, supporting Network Rail’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions and help build a greener future for Britain’s supply chains.’