MacAndrews: new refrigerated railfreight service in Spain
MacAndrews has launched a new refrigerated railfreight service in Spain. The new Murcia to Bilbao railway will be used to ship refrigerated containers from Santurce. The method allows reefers to be loaded directly at a shipper's site and be conveyed to the port of loading without further man-handling or cross-docking. This pioneering project is a result of a joint venture between MacAndrews, Transport Fuentes and Continental Rail. The new operational phase is starting with two trains a week, and there are plans to boost the service to daily. The project will enhance the future Logistics Activities Zone (ZAL) that entrepreneurs are setting up in Murcia.
http://www.macandrews.com/blog/news/reefer-train-inauguration-in-murcia.aspx
CargoLine achieves “green hat trick”
CargoLine is the first general cargo alliance to achieve an environment protection hat trick. Shortly after publication of the DIN EN 16258 standard for measuring energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of transport services. The certification confirms that the general cargo alliance’s method to calculate its carbon footprint corresponds to the pan European standard that was specially developed for the logistics industry. The norm requires that all greenhouse gas emissions are recorded and converted to CO2 equivalents. The calculation includes the output of methane, nitrous oxide and hydrocarbons.
Railway undertaking CargoServ is on track from June 1, 2013
CargoServ has set the course for the official start of operation. From June 1, 2013 Cargo Service GmbH will officially operate as a private railway undertaking (RU). On April 4, 2013 the subsidiary company of Logistik Service GmbH (LogServ) has received the safety certification from the railway authorities, permitting the operation of transportations on the public rail network. Since then the private RU CargoServ has been offering full range concepts for cargo transport on the rail from sidings via the publich rail network to the customers.
Infrastructures create added value for traffic relocation
A powerful, state-of-the-art freight corridor via Gotthard compensates a major part of the operational contributions for combined traffic required today. In combination with new large-scale terminals in Switzerland, the NEAT line is able to bring further traffic volumes of maritime and continental traffic to the tracks.
http://www.hupac.com/index.php?MasterId=g1_315&altlng=2&id_item=315&lng=3&node=363&rif=4492442085
Found of GOMULTIMODAL
With the slogan “Think Multimodal - GOMULTIMODAL“ the GOMULTIMODAL GmbH is to be launched on June 1, 2013. The associates mean two experienced experts, who are recognised in the market for the new consulting enterprise based in Hamburg. GOMULTIMODAL will be dealing with all issues associated with combined transport and intermodal transport concepts.
Regular shuttle train connection Frenkendorf - Melzo offers Swiss industry rail connection to Genoa, La Spezia and Ravenna
On May 15, 2013, the neutral Basel-based operator IMS Rail Switzerland AG starts operating the new shuttle train connection "Frenkendorf - Melzo shuttle". The connection is oriented to the unaccompanied combined transport (UCT) between the Swiss container terminal Fenkendorf (close to Basel) and the Italian container terminal Melzo (east from Milan).
http://www.imscargo.com/content/en/media/pressreleases/Default.aspx?PublishedYear=2013#.UZNLYsq3RGM
HHLA Grows in a Difficult Market Environment
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) increased its container throughput in the first three months of 2013 by 5 per cent to 1.8 million TEU. The transport companies which were continued following the realignment of the Intermodal segment achieved considerable increase in volume, with growth of 23.9 per cent. Revenue fell by 2.7 per cent to EUR 279 million due to consolidation, while the operating result (EBIT) increased by 13.2 per cent to EUR 38.5 million.
http://hhla.de/en/home/overview/2013/05/hhla-grows-in-a-difficult-market-environment.html
Rotterdam Expands Intermodal Container Service
The CLIP Container terminal at Swarzedz (near Poznan), Poland has joined InlandLinks. This brings the total number of terminals to 35: 27 in the Netherlands, 4 in Germany, 3 in Belgium and 1 in Poland. Swarzedz is directly connected to the Port of Rotterdam by a shuttle train running three times a week, operated by ERS Railways.
Market Place Seminar successfully held in Vienna
The International Union of Railways (UIC) and the International Freight Forwarders’ Association (FIATA) successfully opened the 5th edition of the Market PlaceSeminar entitled “Intercontinental corridors –New opportunities for Rail Freight?”, with the support of Rail Cargo Group, IBS and Zentralverband Spedition und Logistik, in Vienna.
During the First Session on “South East Corridors”, Dr Ivan Petrov, General Manager of Trans Express, focused on South East European Logistics by ferry links to CIS countries, in particular passing through the city of Varna in Bulgaria, which is the major link between Europe and Russia with ferry lines across the Black Sea and a direct route to Ukraine, Russia, Georgia and Turkey. From a legal perspective, it becomes more complicated to continue to eastern countries because of the various railway bills and political issues. This represented a major example of co-modality – the tendency to optimise and combine the use of different modes of transport in order to propose comodal solutions that meet customer needs, including door - to - door deliveries.
http://www.uic.org/com/IMG/pdf/market_place_seminar_vienna.pdf
Samskip Van Dieren Multimodal expands rail service in Sweden
As from May 2, the intermodal network of Samskip Van Dieren Multimodal will be expanded, with a shuttle service between Duisburg (D) and Älmhult (SE). The combi train will be pulled by 'through going' locomotives, guaranteeing a transit time of only 15 hours. The new combi train Älmhult will strengthen the presence of Samskip Van Dieren Multimodal in the Swedish market. The wholly-owned subsidiary of Samskip is already operating daily shuttle trains to and from Helsingborg, Göteborg, Nässjö and Katrineholm. The combi trains are able to carry Huckepack (mega) trailers, as well as 45 ft (curtain sided) containers. An in-house trucking operation takes care of all pre- and on-carriage of loaded units.
Rail Baltica on track
Baltic transport ministers came a step closer to an agreement on making a high speed railroad system – from Tallinn to Berlin. The formalities for the establishment of a “Rail Baltica 2″ company will be settled by the end of July.
New train linking the ports of Vienna and Rostock
Dragon Multimodal Shuttle: New edition in cooperation with Metrans
The intermodal block train Dragon Multimodal Shuttle, which has been launched by the Turkish logistics enterprise Dragon Shipping & Multimodal in August 2012 will be relaunched on May 15, 2013 based on a partnership with Metrans (Danubia) a.s. in the segments terminal services, customs service as well as regarding the use of the many feeder options available within the Metrans network. The Metrans terminal Dunajska Streda will then serve as a hub within the Dragon Multimodal Shuttle system.
New Container Hub
The rail operator Metrans has opened its most modern hub terminal for containers in Ceska Trebova (Czech Republic), 180 km to the east of Prague. In doing so, Metrans, a subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), has expanded its transport network in Central and Eastern Europe. It is strengthening its position as the leading rail operator in hinterland transportation between these destination regions and the German seaports of Hamburg and Bremerhaven.
http://hhla.de/en/home/overview/2013/05/new-container-hub.html
Greener and safer trucks debate with Siim Kallas turns into gigaliner discussion
Most of the new rules tabled by the Commission on truck weights and sizes were welcomed in a debate with Commissioner Siim Kallas on Tuesday. MEPs said these rules would help cut fuel consumption and improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists. But they remained divided over whether member states should be permitted to allow the use of longer and heavier vehicles (LHVs) in cross-border transport. At Parliament's request, conditions for using LHVs across borders are included in the new rules.
UK gears up for longer trains
Rail facilities across the UK are gearing up to handle the next generation of longer trains. Exhibitors at Multimodal 2013 exhibition explained how their investments would help make rail freight more competitive with road.
FreightArranger
As the attempt to improve the rate of freight transfer from the road haulage sector to rail continues a new player is due to enter the field bidding to assist those seeking to investigate intermodal options. The new online service is designed to make intermodal freight cheaper, easier and greener and claims to be the first of its kind, making the best use of the UK's rail network, reducing congestion and producing less carbon by finding money-earning uses for the spare capacity of both road and rail hauliers.
Tie Up Between European Rail Cargo Specialist and Freight Forwarder Means More Intermodal Options
German based wagon hire and rail logistics company VTG Aktiengesellschaft and Swiss headquartered freight forwarder, Kuehne + Nagel, are planning a merger of parts of their rail logistics activities. The new joint venture would expand the present rail logistics activities of the partners, continuing the growth strategy of VTG Rail Logistics and enabling Kuehne + Nagel to offer its customers an extended, and presumably intermodal, product range. The principal goal is to strengthen the market position of both companies within the field of European rail logistics.
European Commission launches call for tender to identify a follow-up of Marco Polo II
The EU Commission has published a call for tender for a fact-finding study to support the development of an EU strategy for freight transport logistics. The call is open until 24/05/2013. The objective is to provide the Commission with the necessary information to identify and analyse suitable policy options and their different impacts, in order to support the development of a follow-up to Marco Polo beyond 2013. The aim is to establish a clear business and operational approach for providing efficient, sustainable and international freight transport services, under the Trans-European Transport Network programme and in the framework of the Connecting Europe Facility.
http://ted.europa.eu/udl?uri=TED:NOTICE:104532-2013:TEXT:EN:HTML
Port of Linz starts modernising its container terminal
Following the completion of the silting-process of the three port basins (total investment EUR 10.8 million), the port of Linz is entering the next stage of reorganising multimodal transport and cargo transhipment. With an investment of EUR 5 million, the facility will be equipped with a new gantry crane, a new container repair hall, an expanded quay wall and new warehousing and transhipment areas by mid-2014. This shall boost the annual container volume to more than 350,000 TEU. The capacity of the container depot will be expanded from currently about 4,000 TEU to about 6,000 TEU.
New EU rules for safer and more environmental lorries
The European Commission proposed new rules to allow manufacturers to develop more aerodynamic lorries which will reduce fuel consumption by 7-10%, cut emissions of greenhouse gases, and also enhance the safety of vulnerable road users.
The main advantages of the proposal are: Better environmental performance, Promoting intermodal transport, Better road safety
http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/kallas/headlines/news/2013/04/lorries_en.htm
New Kalmar's RTG in the Port of Kiel
Kiel port has received its brand new rubber-tyred gantry crane which will enhance the intermodal terminal Ostuferhafen. Previously rail-ship transhipment was done with the use of reach stackers; now the new RTG will take over and load rail wagons. The new EUR 1.5 mln equipment is 30 metres wide can span three rail tracks as well as the corresponding loading lanes. Lifting height under spreader amounts to 12 m, while the total height of the gantry crane adds up to approx. 21 m. The RTG can hoist trailers, containers, swap bodies and the like and comes with a lifting power of up to 45 tonnes. Moving the crane alongside the rail tracks is supported by a GPS.
http://www.portofkiel.com/News/items/gantry-crane-for-intermodal-handling-arriving-in-kiel.html
Corridor de Fret 2
Delegates from the rail network operators ProRail, Infrabel, French Rail Network, CFL and SBB have just established a management committee (Comité de gestion) for Europe’s important freight train corridor 2, which is expected to go into full service on 10 November 2013. The new dedicated railway line will provide a through connection from seaports in Rotterdam and Antwerp, via Luxembourg and Switzerland, to the South of France and Spain. Parts of the line will be equipped with Europe’s train safety system ERTMS. The freight train corridor is among the most important railway connections in Europe. At present, the line is used by some 30,000 freight trains hauling 20 million t of cargo every year.
http://www.rff.fr/fr/gestion-page-d-accueil/actualites/le-corridor-de-fret-2-sur-les-rails
The Marco Polo call for proposals 2013 is open!
The available budget for the 2013 Call is €66.7 million. Special environmentally-friendly maritime projects, inland waterway projects and rail projects with single-wagon loads are priorities in 2013.The measures proposed under the Marco PoloWork Programme 2013 shall contribute to achievements of the EU goals for sustainable growth as established in the Europe 2020 Strategy. The call was published on 26 March 2013 with a deadline for the submission of proposals of 23 August 2013.
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/marcopolo/getting-funds/call-for-proposals/2013/index_en.htm
http://ec.europa.eu/transport/marcopolo/getting-funds/application-packs/2013/index_en.htm
DB Schenker Rail mandates SBB Cargo in Switzerland
Switzerland's state-owned railfreight operator SBB Cargo has been mandated to handle a substantial part of DB Schenker Rail's transit traffic through Switzerland from when the new 2013/2014 timetable takes effect. SBB Cargo expects to handle several thousand trains a year, depending on order volumes. The new task will enable SBB Cargo to make optimal use of its resources and create a few new jobs as needed. The production processes as well as further details of the operation will be jointly planned by DB Schenker Rail over the coming weeks. The agreement envisages SBB Cargo carrying out operational and traction tasks for DB Schenker Rail on the Basel/Singen–Gallarate/Chiasso routes, as well as on the Basel–Domodossola stretch.
http://www.sbbcargo.com/de/medien/news.newsdetail.2013-4-0204_1_cargo.html
RCA Intermodal to enhance its maritime transport
In spite of the fierce economic situation – e.g. on the routes between Austria and the north-range ports Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Rotterdam – Intermodal Logistics remains a business division that has major strategic importance for Rail Cargo Austria.
Supply Chain Group Says New Logistics Centre Will Offer Freight Forwarding and Multimodal Options
Supply chain and logistics service provider, ModusLink Global Solutions has announced plans to move its operations in The Netherlands from the current site in Apeldoorn to a new location in Venray. Initial work to transition client services is underway and the new facility is expected to be fully operational by July 2013 and will offer good multimodal options locally.
http://www.news.moduslink.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=103545&p=irol-newsarticle&nyo=0
ELEVEN ORGANISATIONS from across industries and transport modes join forces today to drive forward the electrification of surface transport
Alstom, AVERE, CER, ETRA, EURELECTRIC, EUROBAT, Going Electric, Nissan, Polis, UITP, and UNIFE join forces by creating a Platform for the Electrification of Surface Transport. The Platform for the Electrification of Surface Transport sees electrification as a key way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from transport and to reduce the dependence of the European Union on imported oil. In their common statement, the eleven organisations call upon public authorities to support the further electrification of surface transport on the basis of a multi-modal approach.
http://www.cer.be/index.php?id=366&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=971&cHash=7f55e2660196d9ffd606223d6bda7fe3
http://www.cer.be/uploads/media//130319_Press_release_for_Platform_19_March.pdf
Transporting Containers with Surplus Green Power
An ambitious project is currently under way at the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder to find out how the batteries of heavy goods vehicles can be charged exactly at the same time that there is a surplus of wind or solar power in the grid. In order to determine the optimum time to charge the batteries of container transporters from an environmental and operational perspective, the HHLA Container Terminal Altenwerder, a subsidiary of the Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), the Gottwald Port Technology GmbH (Gottwald) and Vattenfall have joined forces with the universities of Oldenburg, Göttingen and Clausthal, which are coordinated by the Energy Research Centre of Lower Saxony (EFZN). The comprehensive research project BESIC (Battery Electric Heavy Goods Transports within the Intelligent Container Terminal Operation) is subsidised by the Federal Ministry of Economics and Technology and has a total volume of around € 10.4 million.
http://hhla.de/en/latest/overview/2013/02/transporting-containers-with-surplus-green-power.html
Trieste to take part in inland waterways project
Italy's Trieste Port Authority (APT) is taking part in the ‘Upgrading of inland waterways and sea ports’ (INWAPO) European project in a bid to boost freight traffic. The three year project, which ends in September 2014, aims to improve intermodal transport and boost maritime and river transport currently underutilised along three waterway river systems, the Elbe, Vistula and Oder.
http://www.portstrategy.com/news101/world/europe/trieste-to-take-part-in-inland-waterways-project
A step further towards a new shortsea policy
The work on the new shortsea policy started almost a year ago when the Minister of Fisheries and Coastal affairs invited shortsea operators to the first of many meetings. The goal is to transfer freight from road to sea. The strategy will be part of the Norwegian National Transport Plan 2014-2023, which will be ready in a few weeks time.
DESTINY - Deployment of Standards for Intermodal Efficiency
Intermodal freight transport plays an important role in the European objective to achieve better sustainability. Standardisation is a great way to enhance the efficiency by a commonly agreed, homogeneous best practice. This is particularly true in intermodal transport which involves numerous actors. Standards can only deliver their beneficial effects if they are applied and eventually become a part of daily best practice.
The project will facilitate the deployment of existing standards related to EN13044 identification (ILU-Code) and codification of intermodal loading units, safety (Cargo Securing) and the transport of dangerous goods. The objective of this common learning action is to unite a critical mass of actors for the deployment of standards leading to more safety and efficiency and therefore a higher attractiveness of intermodal solutions.
Logistics Group Offers More Multimodal Freight Options with Refurbished Terminal
DB Schenker says it has significantly increased multimodal freight options for its customers in the region with the completion of a major re-investment programme at one of the logistics company’s main UK land hubs at Nuneaton. The 5,200 square metre shared logistics facility in Tamworth is adjacent to the M42 and was completed in December, particularly to serve Schenker customers operating in the automotive, industrial and consumer industries. DB Schenker Logistics is also able to provide rail freight services through its sister company DB Schenker Rail and with access from Nuneaton to rail freight terminals in the local area, such as Hams Hall, and also to mainland Europe via the Channel Tunnel, the new Nuneaton facility provides a raft of intermodal services.
Solutions for intermodality in Spain supported by the EU via grant
The European Union will co-finance with over €500,000 from the TEN-T Programme a study to assess the possibilities of using a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) scheme to finance the development of the Vilamalla/El Far d'Emporda intermodal logistics terminal in Spain. The project, which was selected for funding under the 2011 TEN-T Annual Call, concerns the realisation of a series of studies aimed at evaluating the possibility of using a PPP procedure to continue developing the intermodal logistics platform.
http://tentea.ec.europa.eu/en/ten-t_projects/ten-t_projects_by_country/spain/2011-es-94123-s.htm
Kombiverkehr launches more than 30 new trains
To enable it to meet the sharp increase in demand for transport options in Combined Transport, Frankfurt-based Kombiverkehr KG is increasing the frequency of departures or running completely new trains on many national and international routes. The routes on which Kombiverkehr increases the frequency of services include, for instance, the routes between Duisburg-Ruhrort Hafen and Köln-Eifeltor and the French city of Lyons.
UIRR’s Combined Transport Roadmap 2050
The European Road-Rail Combined Transport sector is facing multiple challenges: fierce price-competition for demand negatively affected by the economic crisis on the short run, while the challenge presented in the 2011 EU Transport White Paper, which set the aim of shifting 30% of long(er) distance road haulage tonne-kilometres (covering distances of 300km or more) to sustainable modes by 2030 and 50% by 2050.UIRR, the International Union for Combined Transport, drafted a Position Paper titled Combined Transport Roadmap 2050, which summarises the actions that are deemed necessary for Combined Transport to successfully champion these challenges and deliver the performance expected of it.
Grimaldi invests €20 million at Barcelona
The group said the investment “consolidates its strong commitment to making Barcelona the epicentre of its shortsea services in the Western Mediterranean”. Barcelona Port Authority has awarded the Naples-headquartered group a 15-year concession, renewable for another seven years, for the management of the new terminal at Muelle Costa. Grimaldi currently operates daily between Barcelona and Civitavecchia (Rome), as well plying a weekly service for passengers and freight to the ports of Livorno and Tangiers and a three-times-a-week freight-only service to Livorno and Savona. A specialist in the transport of cars and ro-ro cargo, Grimaldi in November launched a thrice-weekly “Motorway of the sea” service for freight between the Italian ports of Ravenna, Brindisi and Catania.
Financing Instruments for the EU's Transport Infrastructure
This study provides an overview of the most important current and future financing instruments and sources for the EU’s transport infrastructure, in particular for the
TEN-T. Furthermore, it includes a more analytical discussion of these instruments against the background of changes in the underlying policy framework.
http://www.europarl.europa.eu/committees/fr/studiesdownload.html?languageDocument=EN&file=79370
Samskip Multimodal introduces part load services on Norway
Samskip Multimodal is starting part load services (LCL/ groupage) on Norway as an alternative to traditional road haulage part load services. With two guaranteed weekly departures, on Tuesdays and Fridays, the service is available between Rotterdam, the Netherlands and the Oslofjord, Norway. From Norway they offer delivery throughout Europe based on their pan-European network.
2012 Report on Combined Transport in Europe
The 2012 Report on Combined Transport in Europe has just been published by UIC and its Combined Transport Group. This periodic publication, researched and prepared on behalf of UIC by KombiConsult, is the fourth in the series (previous reports focused on the years 2005, 2007 and 2009). It addresses issues such as domestic and international intermodal transport data for 30 European countries, growth forecasts for domestic and international combined transport, market structures, business models, market shares per traffic segment, combined transport's contribution to the overall economy.
http://uic.org/IMG/pdf/2012_report_on_combined_transport_in_europe.pdf
Quick response to volatile demand
In the past year, intermodal transport operator Hupac of Switzerland transported a total of 646,214 road shipments by rail, representing a decrease of 10.7%. This decline is primarily attributable to weak demand due to the current economic crisis in Europe, and particularly in Italy. Disruptions on the Gotthard line had an additional adverse effect on transalpine transports through Switzerland.
http://www.hupac.com/index.php?MasterId=g1_296&altlng=2&id_item=296&lng=3&node=363&rif=286d509aef
Kombiverkehr begins 2013 in bullish mood
Frankfurt-based Kombiverkehr KG is reckoning on a further sharp rise in consignment volumes in the 2013 financial year. By shifting transport onto environmentally friendly rail, Kombiverkehr and the customers of the company were able to cut emissions of greenhouse gas CO2 by one million tons in 2012. The number of containers, swap bodies and semi-trailers transported slipped by 4.7 per cent overall. With 927,200 truckloads altogether, though, the company remains by some distance the European market leader for shifting road transport onto rail.
EBRD supports modernisation of port infrastructure in Moldova
The EBRD is lending US$ 12 million to Danube Logistics, the owner and operator of the Giurgiulesti International Free Port, to finance the construction of a mixed gauge rail terminal in Moldova. The Giurgiulesti International Free Port is a key regional link to international railways and roads, located at the confluence of the rivers Danube and Prut in the south of Moldova, between Romania and Ukraine. The port already plays a big role in offering a tri-modal transport infrastructure, a low cost environment and a unique customs and tax regime due to its FEZ status.
http://www.ebrd.com/english/pages/news/press/2013/130110.shtml
Rostock Port: Ups and Downs at River Warnow (Germany)
22.7 million tonnes of goods (gross) were handled via the various port facilities in Rostock last year; 1.3 million tonnes or five percent less than in 2011.Despite the rather unsatisfactory cargo handling trend in 2012 the port development company invested Euro 39 million in the infrastructure of the seaport in 2012. The extension of the handling facility for intermodal transport began in the spring of 2012. Apart from three additional railway tracks with the necessary facilities and the southern craneway girder the entire southern handling areas were newly built. For this alone a total of Euro ten million was invested until the end of 2012. The construction of the northern craneway girder and the production and assembly of two new gantry cranes will be done this year.
Puerto Seco de Madrid
Puerto Seco de Madrid is an International multimodal freight terminal connected with the railway network, extending the Ports Hinterland, and promoting the intermodality and the railway transport following UE´s transport policy. Puerto Seco de Madrid is an intermodal logistic platform of the spanish port system , regular lines with four of the main spanish ports: Algeciras, Barcelona, Bilbao and Valencia.
Ekol Logistics launched RoRo operations to Trieste
Ekol, one of the leading logistics firms in Turkey and Europe, started Ro-Ro operations as of January 12th, 2013 on behalf of providing more sustainable and more competitive services to its customers. Three round trips per week will be operated between Haydarpaşa – Trieste ports with modern Ro-Ro vessels, which are equipped with state-of-the-art technology, each with a capacity of 240 trailers. The vessels' names, which are leased with a commitment to purchase, are determined as Hatche, Qezban and Paqize.
Track access price hikes could destabilise rail freight
The UK Rail Freight Group (RFG) has hit out at increases in track access charges for rail freight that could mean tariff hikes of up to 23%. The RFG said it was “disappointed” at the Office of the Rail Regulator’s (ORR’s) conclusions on the track access charges which will apply to freight traffic in the next regulatory control period. For other sectors, such as intermodal and aggregates, the prospect of charges rising even close to the capped level in 2014 is deeply concerning.
GCS/Ruscon launches Russian block-train
A new block-train service is being launched by GCS/Ruscon out of the new Ust-Luga Container Terminal (ULCT) over a distance of more than 1,100km to Nizhniy Novgorod, Russia’s fifth largest city, 400km east of Moscow. Ruscon, a logistics and intermodal operator and part of the GCS transport group is launching the service for General Motors Korea, which signed a contract with Russian motor manufacturer GAZ to assemble its Chevrolet Aveo subcompact city car.
Intermodal Europe October 2013 - Save the date
Intermodal Europe 2013 will take place at the Hamburg Messe in Germany, from 8-10 October. The exhibition provides insight into the future of the container and intermodal industry, with exhibitors showcasing the latest equipment, systems, technology and services designed to improve operational productivity and efficiency.
http://www.mhwmagazine.co.uk/LatestNews/Intermodal_Europe_October_2013_-_Save_the_date-13288.html
Government gives green light for Radlett freight terminal
Industry trade associations have responded positively to the announcement that planning permission has been granted for the intermodal interchange at Radlett in Hertfordshire.
This is the only major rail freight interchange in the North and West quadrants around London, well situated with good road and rail links, and should enable a much higher proportion of freight to use rail freight for parts of journey.
http://www.shdlogistics.com/news/view/government-gives-green-light-for-radlett-freight-terminal
EBRD grants €32.5 million loan to enhance container hub at the port of Klaipeda in Lithuania
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) has granted a loan supporting a project aimed at increasing the capacity of the container hub at the port of Klaipeda, in Lithuania. This project will create a major regional transshipment hub and will contribute to reducing shipping-related carbon emissions. Klaipeda is the deep-water and free-ice port located most northerly in the eastern coast of the Baltic Sea. It is also the largest logistics hub in Lithuania ensuring routes connecting sea, land and rail. Currently, most cargoes that reach the Baltic Sea must use logistic hubs such as Rotterdam or Hamburg and then transport the contaniers by feeder vessels. By increasing its capacity, the port of Klaipeda will become one of the most important transit logistics hubs serving the Baltic region, Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
CargoBeamer builds in Wolfsburg
CargoBeamer is building a pilot transshipment site for the handling of wagons for combined transport on the site of Volkswagen AG in Wolfsburg. bThe transshipment site allows the parallel and fully automatic loading of all types of semi-trailers, and will be taken into operation at the beginning of 2013.
http://www.cargobeamer.com/public/798186_CargoBeamer_builds_in_Wolfsburg/
Opening the door to Terminal Managers
The intention to enhance its outreach and representation in Brussels has led to the decision by UIRR’s extraordinary general assembly, to invite Terminal Managers to join the Association. Transhipment terminals establish the connection between road and rail to enable Combined Transport (CT). UIRR has dealt with many issues critical to terminals over the decades that passed since its founding. Whether it was promotion of CT, providing support services to IT systems, or conducting research and development work, CT Operators and Terminal Managers stand on the same side and share interests.
Viia and Modalohr criticise UIRR study: "trade body drew erroneous conclusions"
Viia, the logistics subsidiary of SNCF Geodis, and the intermodal service provider Modalohr have accused the International Union of combined road-rail transport companies (UIRR) of drawing erroneous conclusions from a study entitled «Transport of trailers by unaccompanied intermodal transport services through Switzerland” (Zum Transport von Sattelanhängerin im unbegleiteten kombinieten Verkehr durch die Schweiz). The two companies issued a media release saying the the UIRR conclusions are based on the clash between the traditional vertical handling technique compared to the innovative horizontal handling method, instead of promoting the joint development of all complementary techniques. Viia and Modalohr added "all the calculations in the study are purely theoretical and have nothing to do with the reality of everyday life.” From the study, the UIRR also came to conclusion that the proposed 4 m corridor through Switzerland proves to be more economical than the use of special rolling stock.
European transport research actors call for the Horizon 2020 budget for “Smart, Green and Integrated Transport” to be maintained at the €7.69bn level proposed by the European Commission
European associations representing industry, research providers, academia, infrastructure, operators and users in the road, rail, air and waterborne transport sectors today combine their voices to call for an appropriate budget share for transport research in the future Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation. Transport is the backbone of the European economy, being fundamental to the four freedoms of the European Union, and underpins social interaction and development throughout the Member States. Research in mobility and transport therefore represents a prerequisite for European progress as well as a key contributor to meeting future societal, environmental and economic challenges. European transport research actors therefore regret the recent vote in the European Parliament’s Industry, Research and Energy Committee to reduce the budget share of Horizon 2020 dedicated to “Smart, Green and Integrated Transport” by approximately 20%.
Port of Koper : Study analyses the significance of a second rail track
The most recent study conducted within the European INWAPO project by the Ljubljana-based Ljubljanski Inštitut za Finance in Ekonomijo d.o.o. - L.I.F.E. institute, confirmed that a modern railway link between Koper and the mainline at Divača is of national strategic significance as well as an investment essential for the further development of the Port of Koper and the Slovenian logistics sector in general. The study analyses three possible versions of the development of transport infrastructure linking Koper with its continental hinterland. Scenario A includes a new direct line linking Koper with Trieste; scenario B does not anticipate any investments in railway infrastructure, whereas scenario C anticipates the construction of a second track between Koper and the main line at Divača.
INWAPO-Project.eu.
The project aims at increasing the attractiveness of the waterborne transport by improving the efficiency of the river- and sea-ports, fostering the freight traffic along waterways, and strengthening the integration of the port infrastructure in the logistics chain. The project results should lead port authorities, national, regional and municipalities to understand the strategic function of the multimodal infrastructure with regard to coping with the traffic flows in the region.
Potential markets for Danube Logistics
In the last months via donau compiled a comprehensive market review on sector-specific potentials for the modal shift of transports towards the Danube waterway. The analysis was carried out on the basis of data available in studies, surveys and statistics as well as on interviews with logistics providers and users. As a service provided by via donau, the final report gives an insight in future markets for Danube navigation.
France, Italy vow to press on with high-speed Alpine rail link
The leaders of France and Italy pledged to push ahead with a high-speed rail link between Lyon and Turin despite a row over EU spending. With Britain leading calls to slash billions of euros from the European Union's 2014-2020 budget, French President François Hollande defended the rail link between southeast France and northwest Italy as essential to economic competitiveness. Italy is the second-largest market for French goods and the third-biggest importer to France but the Fréjus rail tunnel linking the countries in the Alps was built in the 19th century. It is too steeply sloped to be efficient for heavy rail cargo.
Domestic waterborne freight in the UK statistics
The Department for Transport has published transport statistics on waterborne freight in the United Kingdom 2011.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/waterborne-freight-in-the-united-kingdom-2011
Success for Intermodal Europe 2012
Considered one of the most important events in the container shipping calendar, Intermodal Europe 2012, once again saw increased attendee numbers this year at the Amsterdam RAI from 27-29 November. Intermodal Europe provides a platform for container transport and logistics professionals from all over the world to share latest industry developments, to network and to do business. This year there were attendees from over 40 different countries.
Evaluation of competing CT techniques
In preparation for its Combined Transport Roadmap 2050 paper, UIRR commissioned a study to examine the economic viability of different CT techniques in order to determine which is best suited for support under the different circumstances. Having taken various considerations into account, and conducting discussions with the partner, KombiConsult GmbH, chosen to carry out the study, UIRR decided that the various alternatives may best be evaluated on the example of transporting semi‐trailers through Switzerland.
Increased intermodal traffic despite recession
Traditional goodstranport for the Swedish industry has declined as a result of the recession. In comparison Green Cargohas increased its intermodal transport network by 25 percent during the last year.
Construction of Maasvlakte 2 Terminals on Schedule
The construction of Maasvlakte 2 is still on schedule and the first phase is close to completion.fter the ‘back door’ was closed on 11 July 2012, contractor PUMA (Boskalis and Van Oord) will open the ‘front door’ next weekend. That is when the Yangtzehaven cut-through will start. The temporary inland lake that was created on Maasvlakte 2 will disappear so that the new port will soon be accessible to the ships which need to moor at the APM Terminals Maasvlakte II (AMPT MVII) and the Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) terminal in 2014. Both container terminals are hard at work with the construction on their freshly reclaimed land. Both terminals are expected to be the most modern in the world. This will make it possible to handle the next generation of ultra-large container ships in Rotterdam. The new container terminals will each have rail connections which must meet the latest requirements in rail safety. The connections for both terminals are planned to be ready by the end of 2013. This will enable the terminals to be fully set up for the intermodal handling of the cargo – the basis of the modal shift objective of the Port of Rotterdam Authority. This means that as many containers as possible are transported to the hinterland by inland shipping and rail.
Intermed Defends Role of Mediterranean Ports
The European Parliament the Intermed association, comprising the ports of Barcelona, Marseilles and Genoa, defended the excellent potential of Mediterranean ports to achieve more balanced and sustainable logistics in Europe. According to data presented by Intermed there has been a significant increase in the traffic of containers in the Far East – Europe corridor in recent years. 75% of this international trade flow (over 19 million TEU annually) is currently channelled through the northern European ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Hamburg. A combination of maritime factors and connectivity (intermodal transport infrastructure, economies of scale, etc.) explain this imbalance in the distribution of freight between the enclaves of the north and south of Europe.
“Wet Transfer” at the Port of Hamburg: CTD Also Makes Use of Waterways
HHLA’s subsidiary CTD is the market-leading provider of container transport services at the Port of Hamburg, where it hopes to increase the percentage of transfers made with inland waterway vessels. This form of transport reduces traffic congestion and carbon emissions. When containers need to be moved from one terminal to another at the Port of Hamburg, Container-Transport-Dienst (CTD) usually organises this transfer process. CTD is increasingly offering inland waterway transport in order to give its clients an environmentally friendly alternative to trucks and to reduce the amount of traffic on roads in the port
Shippers seek intermodal solutions to further cut costs
Working with their service providers to improve supply chain efficiency remains a major priority for some of Europe’s largest shippers, according to speakers at today’s Intermodal Europe show in Amsterdam. But that means suppliers will additionally have to drive down costs, said Proctor & Gamble’s European freight and warehousing head Pieter de Maeseneer.
http://theloadstar.co.uk/shippers-seek-intermodal-solutions-to-further-cut-costs/
New Multimodal Supply Chain Deal as Freight and Logistics Group Reviews Environmental Strategy
News from logistics group DB Schenker in the past few days gives details of a new supply chain contract awarded by Nestrade SA, a 100% Belgian subsidiary of Nestlé, for the freight company to operate some supply chain services importing and re-exporting to emerging markets and providing multimodal business solutions. Meanwhile at Schenker’s head office in Essen a ‘Green Day’ was declared to reinforce the environmental improvements undertaken so far and those possible if employees concentrate on them. Schenker’s target is to become the number one industry member in terms of lowest CO2 emissions based on global transport performance and to this end last month the group signed up to the Swedish Network for Transport and Environment (NTM).
http://www.logisticsmanager.com/Articles/19553/Nestle+subsidiary+win+for+Schenker.html
Maritime and inland ports : French revolution ?
With the creation of the Haropa EIG uniting the ports of Paris, Rouen and Le Havre, certain people are forecasting a "new French ports revolution". he potential exists to go further in the collaboration strategy between inland ports and maritime ports, based on innovative multimodal solutions centred on the needs of the customer.
http://news.aivp.org/news.php?page=fragment_depeche&id_article=6126&lang=en
DB Schenker Rail UK launches D2D service
DB Schenker Rail UK has unveiled a one stop approach for customers in the intermodal market, offering an integrated transport service from the quayside direct to the warehouse. Called D2D, DB Schenker Rail UK will handle the full movement of containers for clients, utilising road and rail haulage, to ensure goods are delivered on-time as requested under a door to door service.
Bucharest International Rail Freight Terminal receives first intra-EU train
Tibbett Logistics, the operator of South-Eastern Romania's prime intermodal rail terminal, has received the first scheduled train with intermodal wagons from Germany and Austria. The new service will initially comprise two trains a week in each direction. The open-access terminal is used to transfer shipping containers arriving on rail wagons to road trailers, and vice versa. BIRFT is the only such facility in Romania operating regular scheduled block trains between Constanta Port and Bucharest, on both import and export movements. Customers include the major shipping lines and freight forwarders, as well as direct users. In addition, it is the only intermodal rail terminal offering CFS (Container Freight Station) and warehousing services within the terminal itself, linked directly to the rail tracks.
EU ministers back deep cuts in shipping fuel emissions
Tough new sulphur limits for shipping fuel will be phased in across EU waters as part of European Union efforts to free the air of toxic chemicals that shorten thousands of lives.EU environment ministers backed the rules on Monday (29 October), in a final stage of the process before official publication of the law. From 2015, the maximum sulphur content of shipping fuels will be cut by 90% to 0.1% in restricted Sulphur Emission Control Areas, which include some of Europe's busiest waters, versus 1% of mass now.
http://www.euractiv.com/transport/eu-ministers-back-deep-cuts-ship-news-515733
Marseille goes intermodal
Port operator Grand Port Maritime de Marseille (GPMM) is positioning its eastern basin as the major transhipment hub for the Mediterranean, by creating a combined-transport terminal that will provide improved links to the rest of Europe. Although the facility can only take vessels up to 7,000teu, the port authority believes its location, facilities and improvements in productivity made since the French port reforms last year are enough to bring back much-needed traffic.
Scottish Logistics Report Studies Supply Chain and Multimodal Freight Trends
The Scottish Supply Chain Conference, held recently in Glasgow saw the publication of a report on the state of logistics in Scotland. The report enlisted the expert help of Professor Alan McKinnon, of Kuhne University, Hamburg, and Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh who analyses freight transport trends in Scotland, the road, rail and air freight sectors, container shipping and roll-on roll-off ferry traffic, distribution centre development, carbon emissions from freight traffic originating in Scotland and the involvement of freight vehicles in traffic accidents.
Report :
No crisis: Kombiverkehr launches new direct trains to Spain
Frankfurt-based Kombiverkehr KG, the operator with the largest European network for shifting freight traffic from road to rail, is launching a new direct train service between Germany and Spain, starting on 15 October, that blazes a new trail. The background to the new route is that the rail network in Spain and Portugal uses a different gauge width to the rest of Europe. This meant that shipments on international CT trains previously had to be lifted by crane onto the Spanish wide-gauge wagons in the town of Port Bou on the French-Spanish border. A new railway tunnel through the Pyrenees now offers an alternative to costly and time-consuming cranes. On the French side the tunnel is connected to the conventional rail network. Some new track has been built for the onward journey to Barcelona and an additional rail has been laid on some existing track, so that trains can now roll all the way to the Catalonian capital without having to stop in what was known as the UIC gauge.
ECT and Kloosterboer to develop Cool Port
The Port of Rotterdam Authority, Europe Container Terminals (ECT) and Kloosterboer have announced they will be uniting to develop Rotterdam Cool Port. Together, the companies will develop an intermodal hub for the transhipment and storage of temperature controlled cargo such as fruit, meat and fish. The planned location for this hub is the Prins Willem Alexanderhaven on part of the current ECT City Terminal.
New initiative to coordinate an European research and innovation in transport
The European Commission launched an initiative to speed up the deployment of new transport means and solutions to achieve a competitive and affordable European transport system. In particular, it will focus on the definition of a set of roadmaps on the deployment of technologies and innovation in 10 critical areas of transport. An initiative launched by the European Commission in the form of a Communication, aims to accelerate development and market uptake of new transport technologies in ten different fields of interest for which roadmaps towards deployment will be developed. This set of roadmaps, that will start in September 2012, has as specific objective to speed up the deployment of new transport means and solutions to achieve a competitive and affordable European transport system.
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=COM:2012:0501:FIN:EN:PDF
Sluggish economy dampens handling activities
A total of 11.2 million tonnes (gross) of goods were handled in Rostock during the first half of 2012. Of this, 10.4 million tonnes were handled at the seaport and 800,000 tonnes at other port facilities in Rostock, such as the chemical port of Yara and the cargo and fishing port. The amounts of cargo at the seaport and the other port facilities of Rostock are thus seven percent below the level of the previous year. Despite this Port of Rostock plans further investments. About Euro 21million are earmarked for the further extension of the ferry and ro-ro terminal and for the intermodal transport handling facility. The start of a new intermodal transport connection to Vienna is planned for the autumn of 2012 and so is a service to Trieste with a connection to Turkey and South-Eastern Europe next year. As a part of the Baltic-Adriatic corridor the intermodal connection via Rostock is the shortest and fastest traffic route between Central Europe, Southern Europe and Scandinavia.
Finland and Estonia meet to discuss 'Rail Baltica'
Transport officials from Finland and Estonia will meet in Helsinki in September in a bid to accelerate agreement on the development of a rail-freight connection between the two countries. The talks are linked to the broader Rail Baltica project which aims to shift major freight transport in Finland and the Baltic-rim states from road to rail by creating a continuous 950 mile rail freight link for goods travelling between Helsinki and Berlin, including connections to freight hubs in central Europe.
UK and Spanish ports granted TEN-T funding
The European Commission has awarded the Ports of Tilbury and Bilbao a Motorways of the Sea grant for the IBUK - Intermodal Corridor project. Since 2009, the UK and Spanish ports have been collaborating to secure funding for the project through the EU’s Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) programme. The IBUK project aims to reduce the congestion between the UK and the Iberian Peninsula by providing a more efficient multi-modal logistics corridor. To do this the project proposes the removal of trucks on both west ern and southern European roads, the development of short sea shipping between Spain and the UK, as well as an enhanced freight service between the two countries.
http://www.porttechnology.org/news/uk_and_spanish_ports_granted_ten_t_funding/
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG : Throughput Growth Strengthens Competitive Position in Northern Europe
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) increased its container throughput to 3.5 million standard containers (TEU) in the first half of 2012. Revenue fell by 5.0 percent to € 566.3 million following the realignment of the Intermodal segment and changes in consolidation methods. The operating result (EBIT) rose by 1.2 % to € 94.2 million. Profit after tax and minority interests climbed by 20.8 % to € 42.0 million.
Kombiverkehr launches first direct train between Kiel and Verona with direct onward transport to and from Sweden
Frankfurt-based Kombiverkehr KG is launching its first train between the Baltic Sea port Kiel and Verona, Italy. The new rail service is to start on 7 October (after the scheduled opening of the Brenner block) and is to be operated two times weekly in the initial stage, offering a capacity of 1,300 tonnes of payload. This direct rail service between Verona and Kiel makes the previously necessary change in Hamburg-Billwerder dispensable. Daily shuttle trains linking Kiel and the gateway terminal Hamburg-Billwerder will remain unchanged. The daily shuttle trains from and to Hamburg links the Baltic Sea port also to the entire European network of Kombiverkehr in future as well.
Post-Kogeko, Visbeen and DailyFresh Logistics expand their cooperation
Post-Kogeko, Visbeen and DailyFresh Logistics, logistics services providers, are set to make increased use of their collective expertise and experience to promote their joint growth and expand the scope of their services. Post-Kogeko and Visbeen have been cooperating as partners in DailyFresh Logistics since 1998: they carry out daily transports of vegetables and fruit to the UK and German markets. In addition, they recently began operating a new intermodal service for refrigerated and frozen shipments between Spain, Portugal, the UK and the Netherlands. Replacing a large number of road kilometres with short-sea connections reduces costs and leads to lower CO2 emissions.
SBB Cargo to expand Swiss intermodal network
Following the successful introduction of a scheduled intermodal shuttle between Zürich Dietikon and Lausanne Renen at the beginning of this year, Swiss Federal Railways (SBB) railfreight subsidiary SBB Cargo has announced plans to develop a national network of intermodal shuttles. The network will cover the whole of Switzerland, with terminals at strategic locations. SBB Cargo already operates eight intermodal terminals, and has recently invested in two new facilities at Rothenburg and Cadenezzo, as well as new handling equipment at other locations. The operator also plans to upgrade terminals to take accommodate 750m-long trains.
http://www.sbbcargo.com/de/medien/news.newsdetail.2012-7-1107_45_1.html
Kombiverkehr striving to increase its market share in Poland
Frankfurt‘s Kombiverkehr KG appointed Krzysztof Brzezowski its own area manager for Poland. Kombiverkehr is experiencing a rapidly increasing demand on the routes from and to Poland. Following the collapse of transport quality due to railway problems in 2011 and the subsequent decline in the number of bookings, the enterprise made some changes regarding production last autumn. As a result quality rose again and transport volumes grew considerably. In the first six months of 2012 trains operated in Polish traffic registered a 47 per cent-increase.
http://www.kombiverkehr.de/web/Deutsch/Medien_Details/?&show_article=4771
Hamburg and Bavaria bringing more containers on to rail
“Hafen Hamburg 62 +” is the name of the project aimed at transferring more container transport between Hamburg and Bavaria from road to rail. A beginning has been made on some of the solutions, for example stronger networking of transport companies irrespective of state boundaries in Germany, expansion and upgrading of rail infrastructure to meet market requirements, additional container depots and longer opening hours at existing terminals for multimodal traffic (KV). With transport distances of between 500 and 900 kilometres, rail is the optimal carrier for economical and environmentally friendly organisation of transport between Bavaria and Hamburg. Between 62 and 65 percent of the standard containers transported between the Port of Hamburg and Bavaria are currently handled by rail, with the remained trucked. A five-percent boost to the rail share would enable 34,500 containers to be transferred or 23,000 truck tours to be saved, leading to a CO2 reduction of 15,000 tons.
http://hhla.de/en/home/overview/2012/07/more-containers-on-to-rail.html
Dragon Shipping & Multimodal
Dragon Shipping & Multimodal, offer services that combine sea freight and land transportation methods (land transport- railway transport) for tansportations that require this multimodal transport service due to geographical restrictions. This service is primarily for CIS countries, especially to the countries without ports, for more affordable transportation services in a competitive manner. Dragon Shipping & Multimodal offers multimodal transport services for both conventional and container ways of transportation.
SNCF Geodis plans Transalpine road-rail service
SNCF Geodis has confirmed that it is planning a new combined (road-rail) service for semi-trailers across Switzerland from Germany, via the Gotthard rail tunnel. Named ’Transhelvetica,’ it could enter service in 2015, transporting 100,000 unaccompanied semi-trailers annually, the equivalent of around 21% of the heavy goods traffic on roads serving this itinerary.
Marseille selects operator for new 'combi' terminal
The Marseille Port Authority (GPMM) has selected a consortium to build and operate a combined transport hub facility located near the Mourepiane Med Europe Container Terminal in the port’s Eastern Basin. The consortium will be led by transport infrastructure development specialist Progenor and will be comprised of SNCF Geodis subsidiary, Naviland Cargo, CMA Rail and T3M. The ’combi’ hub will handle up to 150,000 containers and swap bodies annually, doubling current capacity levels for rail-borne container traffic in the port zone generated by freight trains operating routes to northern France and also to European destinations. It would also form the cornerstone of a proposed ro-ro rail service linking North Africa, Northern France and Northern Europe via Marseille and with a possible start date in late 2013.
http://www.marseille-port.fr/presse/communiques/fichiers/2012/CP_TTC_Mourepiane_CS_29_06_12.pdf
Greenmodal Transport
France’s first tri-modal operator, GREENMODAL TRANSPORT, was set up on 15 April 2012 to provide a door-to-door service by barge or rail with the “last kilometre” by truck. The objective is to promote modal transfers, with the main advantage being that as a multimodal operator GREENMODAL TRANSPORT has total control over all means of transportation. As a result, any major logistics problems can be overcome by replacing one saturated or disrupted means of transport with another. GREENMODAL TRANSPORT also offers solutions for Equipments and Containers (container storage, repairs, sale & rental) and goods (storage, packing, unpacking, palletizing).
BLS Cargo offers new Rotterdam-Switzerland blocktrains
The Swiss private railfreight operator BLS Cargo has further expanded its position in the intermodal import/export segment, now transporting overseas containers from Rotterdam to terminals in Rekingen and Frenkendorf (both Switzerland) for IMS, with traction in Germany and the Netherlands being carried out by ERS Railways. BLS Cargo thus links the maritime port of Rotterdam and other North Sea hubs up to Frenkendorf five times a week and to Rekingen four times a week.
http://www.bahnonline.ch/wp/48257/bls-cargo-neuverkehr-rotterdam-frenkendorf-rekingen.htm
TFG Transfracht fully integrated into Deutsche Bahn
Effective July 1, 2012, the transfer of all shares in TFG Transfracht to Deutsche Bahn became legally valid. The operations of Europe’s largest provider of seaport hinterland transportation services are now controlled by DB Schenker Rail. Until this date, 50.0% of the shares remained in the hands of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA). In return for assigning its shareholding to TFG, HHLA will take over DB’s minority holding in Metrans and Polzug. The conditions required by the antitrust authorities for the takeover of TFG Transfracht by Deutsche Bahn were approved on June 15.
TFG Transfracht is Europe’s market leader in containerized seaport hinterland transportation services from the ports of Hamburg and Bremen to destinations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
DB Schenker Rail wins contract for London Gateway Services
DP World London Gateway and DB Schenker Rail have announced an agreement to provide rail services from day one at the new deep-sea port and Europe's largest logistics park, which opens in Q4 2013. DB Schenker Rail will operate freight trains over 700 metres in length from London Gateway, amongst the longest in the UK. The new hub is likely to become the UK's busiest rail freight terminal. DB Schenker Rail will also pursue the development of rail freight services from London Gateway to mainland Europe using the Channel Tunnel. London Gateway is the most significant logistics project in the intermodal sector. The services which DB Schenker Rail will launch at London Gateway will be the first of many freight trains that it will operate from the port, forming a strong rail freight network across the UK and mainland Europe for customers.
Kombiverkehr increases sales by 11.9% to €430 million
972,600 truck consignments transported, up 4.2% on the previous year. Never has Frankfurt-based Kombiverkehr relieved the environment to a greater extent than in the last financial year. By shifting 972,600 truck consignments to rail, up 4.2% on the previous year, it has helped to cut CO2 emissions by 1.046 million tons. In terms of sales, the Company recorded an increase of 11.9% to €430.0 million, only €2.0 million below the previous record, in 2008.
RWG starts construction container terminal
Rotterdam World Gateway (RWG) has started construction of the first phase of its deep-sea container terminal on Maasvlakte 2. The 108 hectare site with a quay wall of 1,150 meters (depth of 20 meters), and a 550-metre quay specifically designed for barges has already been built by the Port of Rotterdam. The terminal capacity of the first phase will be 2.35 million TEU and it will open in the second half of 2014. Total investments amount to some € 700 million. RWG will be fully equipped and synchronized to handle container intermodal. Many containers as possible will therefore continue their journey into the hinterland of Europe by barge or rail transport which will ease road traffic congestion and keep environmental emissions to a minimum, thereby complying with sustainable transport agreements with the government.
http://www.rotterdamworldgateway.nl/nieuws/rwg-start-bouw-containerterminal-maasvlakte-2/
Significantly weak margin with European rail cargo transport
A current study conducted by SCI Verkehr GmbH (Cologne) iluminates the unsatisfactory situation of European cargo transport on the railway: However transport performance of the railway companies have been rising again after the crisis in 2009, but adequate profit remains out of reach for Europe’s enterprises. The reasons therefore are the fierce competition in intermodal prices combined with often economically ruinous road freight traffic on the one hand, but also uneconomical structures of European cargo railways on the other hand. “European railway companies will have to face serious consolidation tasks and will be exposed to a continuous process of concentration during the coming years“, is the result of the study. In 2011 about EUR 18 billion were turned over in European rail cargo transport. This figure is far below the high of about EUR 20 billion reached in 2008, but growth development since the 2009 crisis has been quite positive. However, development of the transport companies’ revenues stayed below the rise of transport performance since 2010, which aggravates the economic situation of the operators. “In spite of current streamlining programs cargo railway companies in European rail cargo traffic are economically inefficient – as opposed to North America“, the study reads.
http://www.sci.de/fileadmin/user_upload/en/pressreleases/pdf/120620_SGVStudie_PM_SCI.pdf
European Commission launches survey on quality and efficiency of ports in Europe
As part of its on-going review of European ports policy, the European Commission has launched an online questionnaire, open until 24 August 2012. The port sector has a significant potential for creating jobs and growth. Ports are crucial to sustaining an export-led economic recovery. With the new proposed approach for the Trans-European Transport Networks and the Connecting Europe Facility, the Commission is giving ports the priority they deserve. The results of the survey will be presented and discussed with Member States, the European Parliament and stakeholders at a high-level conference on European ports in Brussels on 25-26 September 2012. The objective of the ports policy review is to ensure that ports in Europe fully contribute to the recovery and long-term competitiveness of the European economy. Ports handle 40% of the internal market freight exchanges and up to 90% of EU international trade. The Commission intends to assist ports on their way to even higher efficiency: this will boost the performance of European industry, create more quality employment and ensure a stable environment for investment in ports.
Scottish rail freight investment fund
The Scottish Government will invest £30 million in strategic Scottish rail freight enhancements. The announcement was published as part of the Scottish Minister's High Level Output Specification (HLOS) and Statement of Funds Available (SoFA) between 2014 and 2019. According to the HLOS, the fund should support sustainable transport for freight, thereby reducing the supply chain’s transport emissions and reducing road congestion. It will facilitate, or contribute towards, strategic infrastructure interventions on the Scottish Network to enable rail freight to deliver against these objectives.
Commission clarifies existing rules on cross-border use of longer trucks
The European Commission provided an interpretation of the Directive on weights and dimensions of road vehicles and the conditions to be met when adjacent Member States wish to authorise longer trucks to cross the border between them. The clarification has been sent to the European Parliament following questions asked by the International Road Transport Union. The Commission clarified that adjacent Member States who wish to use the three derogations to authorise longer trucks to cross the border between them can only do so if specific conditions are met.
New governments in German Laender saying no to mega trucks
After the elections in the German federal states of Schleswig-Holstein and North Rhine-Westphalia it is now certain that there will be no mega truck experiments in both states. In its coalition agreement the newly elected government of Schleswig-Holstein unmistakably clarifies what it thinks of so-called trials with obversized trucks: "The use of longer vehicles, so-called Gigaliners, is refused by us. Therefore Schleswig-Holstein will retreat from the trial with longer trucks. The promotion of combined transport has priority for us."
http://www.nomegatrucks.eu/news/2012/new-governments-in-german-laender-saying-no-to-mega-trucks/
APMT kits out Maasvlakte II
APM Terminals is busy kitting out its future Maasvlakte II terminal and Cargotec and Bromma have both been selected this week to supply quay cranes and ship to shore spreaders to the operation. The new equipment will be capable of serving the largest container ships calling at Rotterdam. The strategy is that on an intermodal level, everything should come together to allow the ondock rail terminal to serve the high volume cargo the terminal will generate to the European hinterland both quickly and efficiently.
http://www.portstrategy.com/news101/news-extra/apm-terminals-increase-orders
Regular Sassnitz-Ust-Luga railroad and ferry services launched
A regular railroad-ferry service between Sassnitz (Germany) and Ust-Luga (Russia) has been launched. At the launch ceremony in Sassnitz that was attended by illustrious guests including Germany's leader Angela Merkel and President Vladimir Yakunin of JSC Russian Railways, the latter said that "this is a new transport corridor that enables us to provide intermodal cargo transits between Asia Pacific and Europe via Russia and the CIS. We can make better use of the geopolitical locations of our countries." JSC Russian Railways and Deutsche Bahn have been involved in setting up a railway-ferry service between Sassnitz-Mukran and Baltiysk and Luzhskaya (Russia) since 2006.
http://www.ndr.de/regional/mecklenburg-vorpommern/faehrlinierussland101.html
CO2 tool for multimodal transport
ABCO2 presented a new tool to calculate CO2 emissions for global multimodal transport. With ABCO2 alternatives can also be calculated. For example, the effect of other modes or combination of transport flows are calculated. ABCO2 is a so-called software as a service (SaaS) solution and the process is fairly simple: ABCO2 sends the mission or task automatically eMagiz technology to ABCO2. Based on the global, multi-modal network of the client ABCO2 calculates in the background CO2 emissions of the selected route. ABCO2 then sends this calculation back to the Transport Management System (TMS) of the principal with alternative emissions per available modality between the sender and the receiver of the shipment. The calculation uses validated computational factors of CE Delft, Mendix technology and knowledge of the University of Twente.
Container Shipping Giant Reveals Multimodal Freight Solution
Having released less than auspicious trading figures for the first quarter container shipping giant CMA CGM has revealed in detail the plans it has long hinted at with a remodelling of the organisations five multi modal subsidiary companies. What the group is calling France’s first tri-modal operator was set up in April with the objective of centralising all freight movements within the world’s third largest box carrier. The new organisation, called Greenmodal Transport, apparently combines five companies in the CMA CGM Group including Rail Link Europe (offering combined rail-road services for France, Germany and Belgium), River Shuttle Containers (combined barge-road services), Progeco (container storage and repairs), and TCX (warehouses).
Port and Intermodal Technology Conference
Alfaland and the Valencia port Foundation organized a conference on new technologies and optimization for the carriage of goods for the port and intermodal sector.
http://www.alfaland.es/NO_NoticiasAmpliar.aspx?CodNoticia=168
New service concept with Europorte Channel und Ewals Cargo
Europorte Channel, the cross-Channel Railfreight operator, has launched a new unaccompanied trailer transport service between Antwerp and London in cooperation with Ewals Cargo Care and Ewals Intermodal. This new service which enables the transport of complete trailers – wheels, flatbeds and container loads, is fast and has a very low carbon footprint. It can operate over long distances such as from Belgium, Germany or Eastern Europe. A successful test run transporting goods for the Vauxhall Group was conducted, on 21-22 May over the almost 400 km distance between Antwerp in Belgium and Barking, in the United Kingdom.
STEF promotes combined rail-road transport
Premiere in combined rail- road transport. STEF provider for transport of fresh and frozen products has contracted with YEO, Toulouse manufacturer of yogurt and sour cream to transport their products by combined rail-road from Toulouse to Paris.
Forecast: four times more freight traffic in 2050
By 2050 the volume of global freight traffic will increase between two and fourfold compared to that of today, and double in the OECD states. This information stems from a document entitled “Transport Outlook 2012” that was presented by the OECD secretary general, Angel Guria, at the transport ministers’ summit meeting in Leipzig (Germany). According to these forecasts, the emission of greenhouse gases will rise, but thanks to environment-friendly technology the increase in CO2 will only be between one and a half and two and a half times the current amount.
http://www.internationaltransportforum.org/Pub/pdf/12Outlook.pdf
Kombiverkehr expands transport capacity with Austria
Kombiverkehr Deutsche Gesellschaft für kombinierten Güterverkehr mbH/Co KG (Frankfurt/Main) is increasing its capacities in traffic with Austria. From 16 May ten instead of the previous eight direct train services on each course will be operated on the route between Neuss in the Ruhr area and Vienna. Thus the offer grows by 25 per cent. In total Kombiverkehr will operate 23 weekly direct train pairs between Germany and Austria.
http://www.kombiverkehr.de/web/Deutsch/Medien_Details/?&show_article=4684
New Thames Deep Sea Container Port Places Intermodal Link and Logistics Contracts
Despite the economic woes besetting the world’s trade at large, and container shipping perhaps more than most, the project to construct Britain’s new deep sea port continues to take shape. The logistics park, proposed as the largest in Europe, which will occupy the hinterland and where intermodal freight will transfer for storage and distribution. Opening date for London Gateway is set at Q4 of 2013 and with one third of all traffic set to transfer from rail, Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering has been appointed to construct the first of three rail terminals and double track the branch line into the complex to safeguard against higher traffic levels in the future. Trains up to thirty four wagons long will be able to be accommodated, whilst overall the port is scheduled to throughput up to three and a half million TEU per annum.
