Over 20 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) transported in combined rail road transport in Europe in 2013, an increase of 9% compared to 2011
The “2014 Report on Combined Transport in Europe” is the fifth in this series. It was researched and prepared on behalf of the International Union of Railways (UIC) by BSL Transportation Consultants GmbH and provides a thorough insight into the combined transport industry in 2013. In addition to the market information featured in previous editions (market structure, volumes per market segment, country O-D matrix of transport volumes, market outlook), the 2014 edition of the Report includes some of the significant changes afoot in the European railway environment, such as the implementation of the Rail Freight Corridors and the revision of Directives 96/53 and 92/106 as they form a general framework which will undoubtedly enable the combined transport sector to sustain the growth it has been enjoying in Europe for the past decades. The Report also includes spotlight analyses on the development of the hinterland market and seaport activity, on combined transport terminals and on national measures in support on combined transport.
Compared to 2011, Combined Transport in 2013 enjoyed a 9% increase in terms of TEUs.
Since the downturn in volumes due to the global economic crisis in 2009, unaccompanied combined transport has been showing continuous growth. Although the volume increase in the CT market is lower than some years ago, the development of combined transport is considerably above the overall average rail freight trend. The main driver for this development is the market segment of international combined transport with an increase of about 15%. Unaccompanied domestic CT continues to be the biggest market segment of CT with almost 12m TEUs transported in 2013 (+8% compared to 2011).
In cross-border CT, particularly the CT services related to hinterland transportation (maritime CT) witnessed significant growth. This underlines the importance of European seaports development in the CT market.
The UIC Combined Transport Group (CTG) has the aim to develop cooperation at international and community level between all Railway Undertakings, with a view to advancing and promoting intermodal techniques and making them reliable, competitive and better-suited to the requirements of the market and the environment.
The CTG is open to all interested railways which operate international combined transport traffic.
It currently comprises the following railways: BLS Cargo (CH), SNCB Logistics (BE), CD cargo (CZ), SBB Cargo International (CH), CFL Multimodal (LU), CP-Carga (P), DB Schenker Rail (DE), GySEV Cargo (HU), HZ Cargo (HR), PKP Cargo (PL), Rail, Cargo Austria (AT), Renfe Mercancias-Intermodal (ES), SNCF Logistics (FR), SZ (SI), Trenitalia (IT).
