Intermodal Loading Units: encourage intermodality instead of forcing it

When the EU Commission published its consultation paper in March 2002 and its first proposal COM (2003)155 for a Directive on intermodal loading units in April 2003, the International Union of combined Road-Rail transport companies (UIRR) supported it with guarded criticism.

This document aims at explaining the role of swap bodies in intermodal transport and at sup-porting the fact that the market must be entitled to decide which loading unit is to be used for what purpose.