The new three-year contract, which came into effect at the end of October,
builds on Maritime’s 13-year history with the UK’s largest retailer of groceries and general merchandise, providing distribution services by road to Tesco sites nationwide.
Maritime will oversee the planning of seven daily rail services linking Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT) with terminals in Mossend, Tilbury, Wentloog, Teesport, and Inverness, whilst completing final-mile road flow operations to distribution centres and Tesco stores in Yorkshire, Middlesbrough, the Midlands, and London.
Employees of Eddie Stobart Ltd, who had previously worked on Tesco’s rail operation at DIRFT, have transferred across to Maritime under Transfer of Undertakings Protection of Employment (TUPE) regulations following a consultation process.
John Bailey, Managing Director – Intermodal, Maritime Transport, said: “This contract win with Tesco represents another step in our intermodal growth as we continue to reposition our business and focus in a more environmentally-conscious, carbon-cutting economy.
DIRFT is a great fit for Maritime and our dedicated central management team now operating on site are doing a fantastic job leading day to day operations alongside our new colleagues who we are delighted to welcome to the Company. We look forward to further significant growth opportunities as a strategic partner of Tesco, and continuing to implement our strategy to own and operate the cleanest, most sustainable full-load supply chain in the country.’
Nick Potter, Transport Director, Tesco PLC, said: “We are pleased to strengthen our collaboration with Maritime, using their extensive terminal network and expertise to support our commitment to efficient, low-carbon logistics.
“Rail freight is one of the many ways we’re reducing our emissions and the network will play an important role in achieving net zero across our operations by 2035.”