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Intermodal Transport Companies Demonstrate Rail Solutions for Non-Craneable Trailers at "Truck2Rail"

Intermodal Transport Companies Demonstrate Rail Solutions for Non-Craneable Trailers at &quote;Truck2Rail&quote;
photo: Lionel Barbe / Ermewa/Ermewa
27 / 06 / 2024

Four companies from the intermodal transport chain have been invited together to the 'Truck2Rail' event in Bettembourg-Dudelange, Luxembourg, to jointly present solutions for the transport of non-craneable truck trailers by rail.

Trailer full-service provider TIP Group, terminal operator CFL terminals (group CFL multimodal), and platform solution NIKRASA provided by TX Logistik and wagon rental company Ermewa presented on June 18th how trailers can be transferred onto regular intermodal wagons using different technologies. The common goal of all four organizing companies is to support the shift from road to environmentally friendly rail.

More and more shippers in Europe are showing interest in making their logistics chains more eco-friendly and economical by using rail for long-distance transport and road for the last mile. This also applies to transport with non-craneable semi-trailers, currently around 90 percent of the European fleet, which up to now systematically tied to the road. Numerous transport companies followed the invitation to the multimodal platform of Bettembourg-Dudelange, operated by CFL terminals, showing their interest in integrating rail into their logistics chains.

At the intermodal terminal of CFL terminals, TX Logistik showcased its proven NIKRASA off-road platform technology, which is already successfully in use in Europe. Platforms such as NIKRASA offer non-craneable truck trailers easy rail access: the trailer is simply driven onto the platform, lifted with a portal crane or reach staker, loaded onto the rail pocket wagon, and ready for the long haul by rail. Guests at the Truck2Rail event were able to see a non-craneable trailer being loaded onto an Ermewa T3000 pocket wagon using the NIKRASA platform.

Leading trailer rental & leasing company TIP is convinced of the potential of this solution, which requires no changes to the existing fleet and also reduces wear and maintenance costs. In the future, Ermewa will offer the NIKRASA off-road platform as an optional package for the rental of T3000 pocket wagons, making it easier for interested parties to enter the combined transport market.

Cyrille Guyon, Deputy Managing Director of Ermewa, emphasizes, "Rail transport is active climate protection. With Truck2Rail we want to promote the sustainable design of transport chains through innovative solutions. Bringing non-craneable truck trailers onto the railways makes a tangible contribution to reducing CO2 emissions from freight transport and driving forward the European Green Deal. At Ermewa we see this as an investment in our common future."

Rogier Laan, VP of Sales & Marketing at TIP Group, explains, "If you want to switch from road to rail for the main run in your transport chain, you don't necessarily have to switch in the trailer park. The new platform solutions enable straightforward combined transport at any terminal. For us processes and equipment remain the same, but the impact on our customers and the environment is significant."

Christoph Dörre, Manager NIKRASA from TX Logistik adds, "With NIKRASA we have developed an easy solution for non-craneable trailers: Within only two minutes they are loaded from road to rail. Thus, we are enabling customers to cover the main part of transport by rail, in the most economical and environmentally friendly way, without additional investment or technical adaptations. Offering great potential for the urgently needed modal shift, with great impact for nature."

Laurent Erhard, CEO of CFL terminals, adds, "The handling of non-craneable trailers is part of our daily business at CFL terminals. Our terminal is equipped with different technologies permitting as well horizontal loading on a rail highway platform and vertical handling under cranes. We strongly believe that intermodal terminals must be equipped to manage all types of semi-trailers to promote the shift from road to rail. Intermodal transport is set to play a crucial role in future supply chains, both for its potential to reduce carbon emissions and to address the growing shortage of drivers on the roads."

Source: Truck2Rail Press Releases

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