April 17 - UK-based multimodal supply chain specialist AV Dawson has signed a strategic deal with Network Rail to take control of its neighbouring Middlesbrough goods yard.
The deal, which gives the company control of the full rail sidings linking its site to the East Coast mainline, comes as AV Dawson has completed work on its expansion plans, which include the creation of a new deepwater River Tees quay; a railfreight terminal, the Tees Riverside Intermodal Park (TRIP); and a huge automotive steel store.
AV Dawson says that the deal means its customers can take advantage of using the company as a single supplier - from mainline rail through to, road, sea terminal or warehouse; reducing costs through improved efficiencies and integrated infrastructure.
The 99-year lease to manage the Middlesbrough goods yard site includes all the operational rail sidings and will form an integral part of the overall intermodal logistics operation at AV Dawson's Riverside Park headquarters.
The deal also means that AV Dawson takes over responsibility for maintaining the point of connection and private infrastructure of Cobra Middlesbrough, which operates a dry bulk handling terminal.
The Network Rail deal marks a new model of freight infrastructure ownership, where rail freight end users take direct control of the management and investment in the siding infrastructure that supports their rail business, said AV Dawson.
