Combined Transport Performance Improves by 4.25% in Q2 2024 Despite Future Challenges

The second quarter of 2024 brought about a 4,25% rebound in the Combined Transport performance as some of the disturbances of the previous months did not recur.

Nevertheless, the Combined Transport sector cannot consider itself out of the woods as severe works-related disruptions are projected to impact during the summer months: the Simplon route, the Passau section, the Rhine Valley, the Sofia-Nis section, and Budapest to name but a few. The business sentiment of CT decision-makers is unchanged at ”neutral”, which contains an amount of optimism concerning the management of the aforementioned works-related disruptions.

Poorly coordinated infrastructure works can easily undermine the quantity and quality of Combined Transport services in several regions of Europe. Concerns about war and economic growth also remain. The Combined Transport community nevertheless continues its investments into new transport and terminal capacities and digital solutions to enhance its competitiveness further. The support of policymakers is needed to reinforce the business confidence that is the fuel for the development of our supremely efficient Combined Transport services. The reindustrialization of Europe requires more Combined Transport.

UIRR welcomed the newly elected European Parliament and congratulated Ursula von der Leyen upon her re-election as the President of the European Commission. The three European Parliament committees, which deal with legislation impacting Combined Transport remain Transport (TRAN), Industry and Energy (ITRE), and Environment (ENVI). The European Combined Transport Community’s Transport Policy Expectations for the 2024-2029 Legislative Period will be presented to EU policymakers by the new UIRR Board of Directors in September.

The Hungarian Presidency signaled its intention to begin the trialogue on the Rail Infrastructure Capacity Management Regulation as soon as possible. The Combined Transport Directive amendment was identified as a Presidency priority. UIRR will assist the Member States and the European Commission with the implementation of the revised TEN-T Regulation (2024/1679 - published on 28 June) using implementation position papers expected to be published in September.

Going forward, the State Aid Guidelines and the Transport Block Exemption Regulation, as well as the Track Access Charging Guidelines will keep Combined Transport stakeholders active. The latter is especially crucial, as several Member States have announced significant track access charge increases for freight users. The Combined Transport Community is asking for a compensation scheme to make up for extra operating expenses stemming from unusually excessive works-related disturbances and bypass routes. The competitiveness of Combined Transport rates can only be maintained if such assistance is provided.

Door-to-door Combined Transport delivers simultaneous energy, labor, infrastructure, and environmental efficiency on a scale that its long-distance trucking alternative cannot outperform. On this basis, Combined Transport should be a fundamental building block for Europe’s competitiveness, resilience, and reindustrialization.

Source: UIRR Press Releases