The Port of Felixstowe, the UK's largest container port, is celebrating after being named 'Business of the Year' at the annual Rail Freight Group awards.  The awards recognise excellence in a number of categories as well as the overall Business of the Year.

The port was recognised for the continual, and extensive, investments it has made in rail operations. These have resulted in there now being 28 scheduled freight train arrivals and departures from the port each day. 

The port has also worked closely with its freight train operating customers, and Network Rail, to achieve sustainable long-term solutions for rail freight from the port.  The award acknowledges the work done demonstrating to shipping lines, forwarders, importers and agents that distribution by rail, as well as being a low carbon green option, can be as reliable and flexible as the trucking alternative.

Commenting on the award, David Gledhill, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Limited, owners 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.

"By working with our freight train operating customers we have developed a network of rail services at Felixstowe that are unrivalled by any other UK port in their frequency of service, and range of destinations.  This allows us to provide shippers with a fuller range of environmentally advantageous distribution options."

This is the second major award won by the port this year.  In March the port was named 'Private Business of the Year' at the Business Weekly awards, the longest-running and most respected business awards in the region.

Rail freight services at Felixstowe are offered by Freightliner, First GBRf, and DB Schenker.  Daily connections are available to and from Coatbridge (Glasgow), Trafford Park (Manchester), Liverpool, Leeds, Daventry , Barton Dock ,Cleveland, Birmingham, Tilbury, Selby, Wakefield, Hams Hall, Birch Coppice, Ditton, and Doncaster.