Leeds, West Yorkshire: International Produce, a logistics supplier to Walmart, has named DB Schenker Rail UK as its “Most Sustainable Transporter”. Schenker won the award for delivering low-carbon distribution solutions that enabled International Produce to increase the volume of fruit and vegetables moved by rail in 2010.
Schenker, in the UK, transports temperature-controlled intermodal containers for IPL which have predominately been imported from South Africa. Fruit transported by rail includes grapes, apples, melons, and pears.
Trains operate over nine months in accordance with the South African growing season. During this period, two trains a week operate from the Port of Tilbury to Wakefield, where International Produce have a major distribution terminal.
Wayne Olivier, Deepsea and Inland Logistics Manager (UK) for International Produce (IPL), said: “IPL looks for opportunities to reduce carbon from its supply chain and recognises that rail helps us achieve this.
“DB Schenker Rail has worked hard on delivering solutions that enabled us to increase our use of rail freight. We are proud to have presented this award to them in recognition of their achievements.”
Carsten Hinne, managing director logistics for DB Schenker Rail UK, said: “We worked on the opportunity IPL gave us and developed what we believe is an efficient, reliable and economic alternative to road haulage.
“The fact that rail freight delivers five times less CO2 per tonne kilometre than road haulage and that IPL have recognised the value of the service we provide to them by making this important award to us are added bonuses.”
