Worse results of combined transport in Europe in Q3 2024 15/11/24
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Worse results of combined transport in Europe in Q3 2024
The combined transport industry in Europe recorded a deterioration in its results in the third quarter of 2024, which was affected by restrictions in train traffic due to repairs and flooding, the International Union of Combined Road-Rail Carriage (UIRR) reported.
The combined transport industry performance indicator in Q3 2024 was 0.79% worse than in Q3 2023. At the same time, the industry sentiment index surveyed by UIRR was defined as "neutral". Intermodal carriers launched fewer trains at that time, which was the result of numerous rail line closures due to floods in Central Europe, Switzerland, Italy and Spain.
"Europe's unpreparedness for extreme weather events related to climate change was evident during both the summer heatwave and the floods caused by heavy rains in September. Excessive damage to property and transport infrastructure led to numerous train cancellations. A permanent European crisis and emergency mechanism would be necessary to help minimise disruption to cross-border traffic, especially as the frequency of such events is likely to increase in the future," said Ralf-Charley Schultze, President of the UIRR.
The capacity of European trunk lines was also limited by renovation works, although major disruptions were prevented due to the temporary closure of the Rhine Valley trunk line, where a detour was established using a diesel-powered shuttle train running on the French side of the Rhine. Despite this, carriers had to cancel some trains, because the capacity of this line is lower and the travel time was extended. It is worth emphasizing, however, that this was the first case of a detour through the territory of another EU member state, which should become standard after the introduction of a single European Railway Area, as the intermodal industry is calling for.