European Reference Center for Intermodal Freight Transport

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.

Becker Marine Systems initiated the development of a climate-neutra ferry service for Europe‘s coastal waters The first emission-free “Wadden Sea ferry“ will start service in the European coastal waters in autumn 2013. The concept was developed by Becker Marine Systems in cooperation with renowned partners and will be implemented rapidly.

The freight transport unit of the Swiss Federal Railways has initiated a new round of reduction of environmental pollution. On 9 March the first of 30 ordered hybrid locomotives was baptized at the shunting yard Limmattal and put into operation. This new acquisition allows for a more economical and greener wagonload traffic, as the company states. The locomotive will be operated both on routes and in shunting service.

The Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) welcomes the call for interim emissions reduction targets for the transport sector, as outlined in the European Parliament Resolution adopted on the European Commission’s 2050 Low Carbon Economy Roadmap.