ARiFT handles first Holyhead rail freight operation
(Posted on 28/08/18)
The Anglesey Rail intermodal freight terminal (ARiFT) in Holyhead is now operational, marine and logistics operator Armitt Group announced.
The 5.5 ha rail facility (can be expanded to 10 ha) is part of the 213 acre Orthios Logistics Hub & Eco Park site which is connected to the West Coast Main Line via the North Wales Coast Line. It is also adjacent to the A55, close to Anglesey Airport and within 2 km of Holyhead Port. The terminal can handle up to six trains per day with the maximum length of 750m. It has an 700m reception siding and two 400m handling sidings with provision for extending to 950m in the future. The site provides a storage capacity of 550 TEU laden 950 TEU empty, and is perfectly placed to support international movements.
‘Orthios ARiFT is now open and fully operational’, said Armitt Group MD Allan Seedhouse on July 27th. ‘Sitting within the wider Orthios Eco Park, ARiFT has been designed to serve Anglesey and the North Wales region, with excellent road, rail and air connections for national and international freight transport. We have an experienced team already in place and everything is designed to help companies move goods quickly and minimise supply chain downtime. Our proximity to the Freight centric port of Holyhead with its 10 daily services to and from Ireland is ready to be exploited in this time of uncertainty regarding Brexit. Whatever format Brexit takes one thing is certain, that our trade with Ireland is strong and growing and the ARiFT is perfectly placed to ease the flow on that burgeoning corridor.
Sean McCormick at Orthios group added “Orthios are delighted that the Orthios-ARiFT is now operational and ready for business. We see the range of freight moved through the ARiFT can be grown. We enjoy the support of the local council and Welsh government to expand the ARiFT which will provide the opportunity to help to relieve some of the pressure on the roads, with freight traffic being taken onto the rail network and so help alleviate congestion on the road bridges.”
Scott Lang, Rail Operations Manager at Armitt, said: “Only 7 days after our re-opening of the Orthios Anglesey Rail Freight Terminal ARiFT our first freight operation has already been completed. This initial unit of 5 passenger cars forming part of a 100 plus railcar contract was received on site, connected together in preparation for transfer to UK commissioning depots and collected by Rail Operations Group ROG for final delivery to customer.
Latest News
Antwerp-Bruges stands firm as geopolitical forces reshape trade flows
(Posted on 16/07/26)In the first half of 2026, Port of Antwerp-Bruges handled 133.9 million tonnes of maritime cargo, a... Read more
PD Ports announce Paul Foreman as new CEO
(Posted on 16/07/26)PD Ports, one of the UK’s major port and logistics businesses, announced today that Paul Foreman... Read more
New San Diego bulk sugar import facility to use only electric trucks
(Posted on 03/07/26)The Port of San Diego Board of Port Commissioners has approved an Option to Lease Agreement and authorised... Read more
Expanded partnership through bulk infrastructure development at Khalifa Port
(Posted on 30/06/26)AD Ports Group, an Abu Dhabi based, leading global enabler of integrated trade, industry and logistics... Read more
Port of Hamburg strengthens partnership with China
(Posted on 29/06/26)The Hamburg Port Authority (HPA) and SPG Qingdao Port Group have signed a Port Partnership Agreement... Read more
Contract awarded for Pilbara Ports Zone 5 Bypass Channel
(Posted on 29/06/26)The Cook Labor Government in Australia has welcomed the award of a dredging contract to Jan De Nul ... Read more
Netherlands Parliamentary rules out Maasvlakte II as location for new nuclear power plants
(Posted on 29/06/26)A parliamentary letter in the Netherlands on the selection of a site for the construction of two new... Read more
SSAB’s port operations in Raahe develop safety together with ESL Shipping
(Posted on 25/06/26)The long-term safety cooperation between ESL Shipping and the port of SSAB’s Raahe site is visible... Read more
Liverpool sees 200% rise in fertiliser imports interest amid ongoing uncertainty
(Posted on 22/06/26)The Port of Liverpool is experiencing a surge in demand from fertiliser importers as continued uncertainty... Read more
PD Ports strengthens Teesport bulk handling with £5.4m crane investment
(Posted on 18/06/26)PD Ports has further strengthened its bulk handling capability at Teesport with the arrival of... Read more
