James Kemball and Ralph Morton join forces

Container hauliers James Kemball and Ralph Morton Transport are to run as a joint business again after parent company K Line Holdings (Europe) merged the management and operation teams, as well as combining the vehicle fleet.

Felixstowe-based James Kemball has been a part of K Line since 2004, while its sister company Ralph Morton was acquired by the Japanese shipping giant in 2008. Both companies had maintained their independence but K Line is now centralising the business in the James Kemball depot adjacent to the Port of Felixstowe.

The new combined fleet will comprise of 120 trucks and 160 trailers, as well as retaining its subcontractor base.

Geoff King, MD of James Kemball, says:  “This joining of forces is the next step along our planned route to expand our services and customer base, and take advantage of the expected future increase in container traffic in the UK.”

Both hauliers run day and night trunking services to and from Felixstowe, plus night trunking to inland hubs, drop-and-swap trailer operations and night and weekend deliveries.