DP World’s Modal Shift Programme Moves 100,000th Container
Organisations must integrate sustainability into their supply chains to meet evolving consumer and regulatory requirements, strengthen brand reputation and improve efficiency.
Multinational logistics company, DP World, has celebrated the success of its Modal Shift Programme trail by recording the 100,000th container to be moved by rail from its Southampton logistics hub.
The programme - which was introduced in September 2023 - aims to encourage the use of rail transport over road for moving import-laden containers from its Southampton logistics hub.
The 100,000th container was carrying goods for motoring and cycling retailer Halfords.
Emma Tillsley, International Logistics and Customs Manager at Halfords, states: “We’re committed to reducing emissions from all parts of our supply chain. Moving freight from road to rail is an important part of that strategy.
"We’re thrilled to learn that a container carrying Halfords products was the 100,000th to be moved by rail from Southampton under this DP World programme.
“The reduction of CO₂e, coupled with the added benefits of a reliable rail service, has provided a first-class overall service for our logistics network.”
How else is DP World embracing sustainability?
DP World has continued to showcase its commitment to sustainability through its ‘Our World, Our Future’ sustainability strategy.
This strategy will ensure DP World can focus on the people, environment and communities in which they operate and improve smarter trade to create a more sustainable future.
It also helps the logistics organisation to effectively handle the ever-changing challenges of social inequality, education and climate change.
DP World’s Carbon Inset Programme has also recently experienced success, registering more than 100,000 TEUs worth of import laden containers by cargo owners in its first two months.
The programme is a world first at a container port and rewards importers that move through DP World’s London Gateway and Southampton terminals with 50kg CO₂e of carbon inset credits for each loaded import container transported.
DP World’s Modal Shift Programme
DP World’s Modal Shift Programme (MSP) aims to minimise road congestion, reduce carbon emissions and enhance the financial attractiveness of rail by paying customers a financial incentive for every import laden container moved by rail from DP World Southampton to a railhead within 140 miles.
As a result of the programme, DP World has:
- Changed around eight million road miles to road freight
- Removed more than 25,000 tonnes of CO₂e from supply chains
- Share of rail freight for onward journeys via containers arriving by sea at DP World Southampton has risen to 30% (21% at the start of the programme)
The MSP incentive remains aligned with rail share uptake and the income of the scheme, varying from £100 and £50.
Between 1 October 2024 and 31 March 2025, the incentive has increased to £70 - this is fixed to help meet changes to rail share of import laden containers.
Four new daily cargo rail services from Southampton to Birmingham, East Midlands Gateway, Cardiff and Doncaster have been created as a result of the programme.
The MSP has also supported DP World to win the ‘Driving Rail Freight Growth’ and ‘Business of the Year’ award at the Rail Freight Group's honours event in 2024 and an decarbonisation award for ‘Transportation and Mobility Project of the Year’.
DP World is now striving to rise the share of rail freight to 40% by 2026.
John Trenchard, Vice President – Commercial & Supply Chain, DP World in the UK, explains: “I would like to thank all our customers who have embraced the Modal Shift Programme and made the positive choice to use rail as a lower carbon option for their international supply chains through DP World Southampton.
"Reaching this groundbreaking milestone of an additional 100,000 containers moved by rail rather than road is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our team to make the Modal Shift Programme trial the success it is now.
“This is a unique programme that sits at the heart of DP World’s ambition to offer market leading, more sustainable options to our supply chain partners in the UK.
“Through a combination of detailed analysis, customer engagement and responding to new market trends, we have further refined the programme trial since its launch in September 2023 and set our sights on continued growth in the share of rail freight for the onward journeys all containers make after arriving at Southampton.”
How will this help the future of green logistics?
DP World’s Modal Shift Programme has set an industry benchmark for sustainable transport and green logistics.
Not only does the programme make rail transport a more eco-friendly and cost-effective option by offering financial incentives but it also supports companies to meet global net-zero goals and changing sustainability regulations.
DP World’s recent achievement of moving its 100,000th container through the programme highlights how the company is proving that sustainable logistics can improve operational efficiency and environmental benefits.
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