A historic rebound

Combined Transport delivered historic growth of +26,43% during the second quarter of 2021, to rebound from the basis of the same period of 2020, which was the first quarter of pandemic-related lockdowns in Europe.  The record high price of oil contributed to Combined Transport retaining the new business gained during the pandemic period.  The Sentiment Index for the next 12 months remains ‘positive’ reflecting a continued confidence in the rebound from the pandemic.

The growth of Combined Transport during the first half of 2021 is a continuation of the 6,77% expansion realised by the sector in 2020.  Besides the issuance of the UIRR Report 2020-21, UIRR’s General Assembly adopted a new vision and mission for the association to reflect on the decarbonisation challenge presented in the European Green Deal:

▪ UIRR will advance the development and actively promote competitive Zero-Carbon Emission Combined Transport for Europe.

Combined Transport is reported by customers to save up to 65-70% of CO2 emissions compared to the corresponding unimodal road-only transport chain.  Zero-Carbon Emission Combined Transport is based entirely on existing and proven technologies, which enable the direct transformation of renewable electricity into transport performance.  Should Combined Transport be enabled to grow 7-8% yearly, it could deliver the decarbonisation expected under the European Climate Law of longer distance surface freight transport by 2030 and 2050.

Low risk investments would need to be continued into the infrastructure, while further improvements to railway governance and operations will be necessary, and new temporary compensatory measures introduced – until a level regulatory playing field is achieved – to reinforce the growth path pursued by European Combined Transport.  The Fit for 55 Package, unveiled by the European Commission on 14 July, is a first step in the right direction.

Intercontinental intermodal rail services continued to expand as well, following up on a record setting year in 2020, which saw a 31% growth to rail-based transport between Europe and Asia.  Besides investments in Russia and China, Europe has stepped up by several gateway terminal construction projects to deliver on the market potential of intercontinental intermodal rail transport.

The Joint Network Secretariat (JNS) completed its work after the unfortunate safety incident that occurred on the Great Belt Bridge in January this year, and by defining certain additional temporary requirements, it enabled again the transport of trailers by Combined Transport through Denmark.

As of 1 July, UIRR welcomed Rail Hub Transylvania of Romania as a Terminal Member, while Camco Technologies became a new terminal technology partner of the association.

Ralf-Charley Schultze – President