photo: Archives/Railway
A group of 11 private freight operators and publicly owned DB Cargo announced plans to support and support the freight wagon business.
At the presentation of the proposals on May 11, founding members of the Netzwerk Zukunft Einzelwagenverkehr (Network Future Wagonload Traffic) said closer cooperation would be needed if the rail sector was to achieve its target of a 25% market share by 2030.
NZE's partners aim to operate a common network of freight wagon services supported by intensive marketing to highlight their presence on the market and unique business selling points. They will work together to simplify pricing and improve the competitiveness of the rail sector, while ensuring that all activities respect anti-carto legislation.
The group plans to publish an overview of conventional and intermodal loading options for each type of car. Members shall ensure that customers are informed of subsidies for private tows that their operators may apply for under legislation that entered into force in January.
Technical progress in the fleet will be made public in time for customers to be alerted to new improvements. In particular, partners will work together to digitise the various processes involved in the organisation of freight car performance in order to standardise data exchanges.
"The transport of individual cars represents 18% of the transport market in Germany and represents an important backbone for industry," said DB Cargo Chairman Dr. Sigrid Nikutta. "Many industrial customers and medium-sized companies across the country and new customers with consumer or agricultural goods can benefit from climate-friendly rail logistics. Shunting and connecting cars is still extremely time consuming. Digitalisation, in particular the digital automatic train system, is directing us towards a more climate-friendly and cost-effective approach to individual cars. "
The NZE is interested in the entry of other members and states that discussions on involvement with many organisations are already ongoing. It is also seeking support from other organisations, such as the Netzwerk Europäischer Eisenbahnen, which has already committed to cooperation.
"The economic and organizational challenges transport with a single wagon in competition with the road cannot be met by a single company. But with many partners across Germany and Europe, the chances of success for everyone are improving," explained Christian Betchen, Managing Diector at Kreisbahn Siegen-Wittgenstein.
The NZE is coordinated by the Association of German Transport Companies VDV, which notes that German railways carry 50 million tonnes of wagons per year, thus preventing 20 000 lorry journeys per day and emissions of 15 million tonnes of CO2 per year.
NZE members
Albtal-Verkehrs-Gesellschaft
Bentheimer Eisenbahn AG
Chemion Logistik GmbH
DB Cargo
Duisport Rail (part of Duisburger Hafen AG)
Flex Bahndienstleistungen GmbH
Kreisbahn Siegen-Wittgenstein
Mindener Kreisbahn
RheinCargo GmbH
Rheinhafen Krefeld
Südwestdeutsche Landesverkehrs AG
Westfälische Landes-Eisenbahn GmbH