Freightliner Ltd officially Class 66 No. 66594 NYK Spirit Of Kyoto at Southampton on 13 June 2007.

The official unveiling ceremony took place at Freightliner’s Southampton Millbrook Terminal and was Freightliner’s tribute to NYK for their consistent drive to transport more of their container business by rail on Freightliner services. The fitting of the new nameplate to Freightliner’s new low emission locomotive No. 66594 demonstrates the two companies’ determination and desire to work together to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by promoting the campaign to shift more freight from road to rail.

The aspiration of both companies to reduce the effects on the climate system is reflected in the new name; NYK Spirit Of Kyoto. This environmental name was suggested by NYK employee Paul Squires, as part of an employee competition within NYK’s UK Liner offices. His inspiration reflects the Kyoto Protocol; the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change which is an amendment to the International agreement to stabilise greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere.

Dave Elsom, Director, NYK UK, says: “I am delighted that Freightliner has given us the opportunity to name one of their new locomotives. It fits perfectly with our Corporate Social Responsibility strategy to reduce our corporate carbon footprint and it is apt that the locomotive chosen is designed to produce lower emissions. It is equally apt that it should be a Freightliner locomotive, since our partnership with Freightliner continues to flourish with increasing demand in service levels expected from the container haulage industry.”

Peter Maybury, Managing Director, Freightliner Ltd, added: “NYK are one of our largest contract customers, running 33 wagons daily through various destinations including Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool and Coatbridge. NYK’s rail business has grown by a staggering 50% over the past 12 months and we are both committed to increasing the number of boxes moved by rail through Southampton in future”.