Clifford Chance advises MEDLOG on the acquisition of Phase 2 at iPort Rail

Global law firm Clifford Chance has advised client MEDLOG, the global logistics and supply chain provider owned by global shipping company Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), on the expansion of its operations at the iPort Rail multimodal freight terminal in Doncaster to include a long lease of the newly developed Phase 2 of the project.

The firm advised MEDLOG in connection with the acquisition of operations at Phase 1 of iPort Rail back in February 2024 and iPort’s developer Verdion has since been working on the construction of Phase 2 pursuant to the terms of a pre-letting agreement with MEDLOG.

iPort Rail is an open access terminal with daily services running to and from Southampton, Felixstowe, Teesport and Scotland. It is an important facility within the wider iPort logistics hub that accommodates distribution facilities for businesses including Amazon, CEVA, Fellowes, Lidl, Woodland Group and EuroPool Systems.

The newly built Phase 2 doubles storage capacity at the terminal and increases the number of trains it can accommodate daily, providing extra capacity to continue the low-carbon movement of goods to existing iPort occupiers and businesses across the region.

The transaction team was led by Real Estate Partner Ian Painter who said: “Having acted for MSC and MEDLOG on a number of UK transactions in the last few years we were delighted to help them capitalise on the success of Phase 1 of the iPort Rail freight terminal by expanding their operations to a newly developed Phase 2. The transaction is another example of the Clifford Chance team’s extensive real estate development and infrastructure investment capabilities.“

Ian was supported by Senior Associates Holly Porter and Katie Kempthorne on real estate and rail regulatory/planning matters respectively, as well as Real Estate Associate Daniel Murray. Planning assistance was also provided by Head of Environment & Planning Nigel Howorth and construction input was provided by Construction Partner Ed Bretherton.

The lead MEDLOG/MSC lawyer was Christopher O’Connor.

MEDLOG is a global logistics and supply chain operator that facilitates inland transportation of goods with integrity, responsibility and respect for the environment. MEDLOG operates independently as part of the MSC Group of companies, encompassing a Cargo Division with Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), Terminal Investment Limited (TiL), MEDLOG, and a Passenger Division led by MSC Cruises.