Safeguard intermodal transport Italy/Europe in wake of coronavirus

03.13.2020

A list of measures to safeguard intermodal transport in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak has been presented to Italian and European institutions. Intermodal operators and lobby organisations have collectively issued an Open Letter proposing these measures, which can be summarised as ‘contactless terminal management’.

Rather than blocking rail freight traffic, it is important to keep intermodal operations running, the letter states. After all, it is this transport mode that includes the least of human movement. «Consider that on rail transport a train crew (maximum 2 people) moves 40 semi-trailers, while a transhipment terminal that handles 20 pairs of trains daily, uses 60 railway staff to move goods, that would otherwise require 800 truck drivers.»

Centralised measures

If intermodal rail transport is vital for the economy and supplies, it must be supported and guaranteed with specific aids and measures, the letter continues. «Since the beginning of the coronavirus emergency, the various actors in the logistics chain have adopted a series of measures to protect the health and safety of the people involved in the production processes, implementing and often anticipating the indications of the authorities.»

According to the parties signing the letter, these should be implemented through interventions and processes coordinated with the Civil Protection and the Regions involved. At the same time, there should be some level of centralisation, in order to have uniform procedures of action. The parties plead for clear and transparent communication at institutional level, while avoiding counterproductive alarmism.

Compensation

Transhipment terminals form an essential link in the operation of intermodal transport and require special attention, including first/last mile services on road, the letter suggests. «Digitalization and administrative simplification, including the speeding up of the authorisation processes of railway customs corridors reduces the risk of contagion.»

Furthermore, the parties also call for support in terms of the cost of labour in companies that reduce activity due to a significant drop in volumes, or deferral of expected payments due to lack of liquidity. It calls for a deferral of one month for all administrative formalities to the public administration.

Major shift to rail

«With the spread of the coronavirus becoming more apparent, leading companies in the logistics sector are shifting a significant amount of goods to rail in order to reduce the mobility of people (drivers) across Europe. This happens especially on the north-south corridor for traffic to and from Italy.

«Rail transport, both intermodal and conventional, plays a strategic role as it moves large quantities of goods over long distances», the letter explains. «If intermodal rail transport is vital for the economy and supplies, it must be supported and guaranteed with specific aids and measures», the letter concludes.

The letter is signed by a list of Italian intermodal operators as well as the European Shippers’ Council (ESC), European Rail Freight Association (ERFA), Netzwerk Europäischer Eisenbahnen (NEE) and International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport (UIRR).

Analytics on topic
Report
12.11.2020
Report
12.11.2020
EU-China Trade and Investment Relations in Challenging Times
Trade continues to be the least problematic aspect of the EU-China economic relationship. The BRI offers potential trade gains for Europe by improving physical connectivity with countries along the route to China, but it also poses challenges for the EU. While Chinese investment in Europe is growing and has focused strongly on technology, it raises the question of whether the EU should fear losing its technological edge, especially when Chinese state-owned companies might distort competition through foreign acquisitions.
Source: European Parliament
Report
06.09.2022
Report
06.09.2022
Road Freight Transportation from the EU to China: Current Status and Prospects

What competitive advantages and features do road transport have and will they be able to form a worthy alternative to rail transport?

Source: ERAI