HSBC UK pledges its support to Maritime’s multi-million pound expansion

Maritime Transport, a market-leading transport and logistics operator with headquarters in Felixstowe, is making a number of major strategic changes to strengthen the business for the future, becoming even more versatile and responsive to customer needs, after securing an eight-figure finance package from HSBC UK.

The funding has allowed the business to develop its existing freehold property portfolio, creating a strong network of strategic rail freight interchange hubs across the country. Furthermore, Maritime has used part of the funding to purchase new, state-of-the-art intermodal equipment to facilitate the development of rail-borne services and to help take long haul freight off the road.

The Company recently announced the launch of ‘Maritime Intermodal’ and a stream of new road-rail services to and from major container ports. A total of six new daily services have been launched from Felixstowe, London Gateway and Southampton, to Maritime’s inland terminals at Birmingham Intermodal Freight Terminal (BIFT), Trafford Euroterminal and Wakefield Europort.

At the end of 2019, East Midlands Gateway will open for business, and together with a brand new intermodal and conventional freight rail terminal at Tilbury which opened in June 2019, Maritime is now a leading rail terminal operator, offering new service possibilities to train operating companies, container shipping lines, freight forwarders and cargo owners in the UK.

HSBC UK has supported these developments with working capital and asset finance loans.

Alan McNicol, Executive Finance Director of Maritime Transport, said: “We are delighted to partner with HSBC UK. Our strategy is a natural development for the Company and HSBC’s understanding of our requirements made them the obvious choice for Maritime. We have been involved in providing rail terminal services for a number of years and we recognise the need to extend our capability in this important area, developing our own services and strategic hubs to offer our customers greater choice and value.”

Simon Pyatt, Area Director for Corporate Banking HSBC UK, said: “Maritime is an extraordinary business which has grown exponentially under the stewardship of Chairman and owner, John Williams, and his management team in the last 18 years. HSBC UK is really pleased to be involved with a pedigree, market leader with such exciting plans and we look forward to supporting the business as they grow.”