DB Cargo UK has signed a new seven-year contract with CAT UK to move finished vehicles from Jaguar Land Rover’s manufacturing facility at Halewood in Merseyside to the Port of Southampton.

The company’s colleagues in Cheshire, the West Midlands and Hampshire currently operate around three services a week between the two destinations.

However, with Jaguar Land Rover investing hundreds of millions of pounds at Halewood to enable it to produce the company’s next generation of electric vehicles, future output is expected to steadily grow.

Chief Commercial Officer Roger Neary said:

“It’s a real honour to play a continuing role in the transportation of such an iconic British brand. We have worked with CAT UK, formerly STVA, for more than two decades, helping them to move high-value automobiles across the UK and Europe for both import and export.

“This new contract reinforces DB Cargo UK’s reputation for providing safe and reliable rail freight services which remains the most environmentally sustainable method of moving large volumes of heavy goods.

“Rail freight offers a fast and efficient alternative to moving goods by road, with one train generating around 76% fewer harmful CO2 emissions,” he added.