The Manchester Ship Canal will be home to the country’s largest inland freight terminal, following approval of plans by Salford Council. The port will be able to handle 300,000 containers per year and eventually will have the capacity to handle two containerships simultaneously. The scheme should boost the economy of Manchester and lead to a net transfer of freight kilometers from the road network, due to the unique combination of rail, road and shortsea shipping capacity which will be made available. The development will be able to accomodate up to 16 freight trains per day, and should create more than 2,000 jobs.