photo: European Union Agency for Railways / LinkedIn/4th ERA Multimodal Freight Conference Programme
European transport leaders gather at the 4th ERA Multimodal Freight Conference in Brussels to discuss rail freight growth and innovation.
The much-anticipated 4th ERA Multimodal Freight Conference, hosted by the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA), gathered top leaders and decision-makers from the European transport sector at the Square Brussels Conference Centre. With the theme More Freight on Rail, the event focused on critical initiatives to foster rail freight growth and strengthen Europe's multimodal transport system.
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A High-Level Opening: Setting the Agenda
The conference started with a welcome address by Josef Doppelbauer, ERA Executive Director. He stressed the need for collaborative efforts to increase rail freight's share in the European logistics landscape and the importance of advancing interoperability, sustainability, and innovation across the sector.
Keynote speeches followed from influential figures, including Tilly Metz, Member of the European Parliament, and Georges Gilkinet, Belgium’s Vice-Premier Minister and Minister of Mobility. Magda Kopczynska, Director-General of DG MOVE, outlined the European Commission's commitment to facilitating rail freight's growth as part of its Green Deal and climate neutrality objectives.
Panel I: The Brussels Declaration and Rail Fleet Preparedness
The first panel explored political action points tied to the Brussels Declaration, a strategic document focusing on the urgent need for investments in rail infrastructure. Mitchell van Balen, ERA’s Economic Evaluation Officer, presented the findings of the ERA Rolling Stock Fleet Study, which examined the readiness of Europe's rail fleet to support the EU’s ambitious goal of doubling rail freight by 2030. The panel, moderated by Josef Doppelbauer, included perspectives from key stakeholders, including Georges Gilkinet, Magda Kopczynska and Tilly Metz.
Panel II: Strengthening the Backbone of Multimodal Freight
The second panel, Voices from the Sector, brought together industry leaders to discuss practical solutions for enhancing multimodal freight efficiency. Maria Dominguez Gonzalez, Managing Director of ADIF and EIM President, underscored the importance of robust rail infrastructure to accommodate growing freight volumes. Other panelists included Onno de Jong (Rotterdam Port), Marcel de la Haye (CER), and Silvia De Rocchi (Captrain Italia). Moderated by Keir Fitch, Head of Rail Interoperability and Safety at the European Commission, the discussion also featured insights from Henry Maillard (FERRMED) and Gilles Peterhans (UIP).
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Networking and Innovation Showcase
The conference concluded with a networking cocktail, allowing participants to connect and explore potential partnerships. The farewell ceremony celebrated the shared vision of a greener, more integrated freight transport network.
Source: RAILTARGET; ERA