The European market for combined transport
21112
2022
The Combined Transport Report examines the status of combined transport in Europe, analysing freight transport involving at least two modes. TML conducted the study, including data collection and additional analysis on digitalisation and cost sharing, and presented the findings on 9 November 2022 during Rail Cargo Month in Paris.
The Combined Transport Report is a biennial publication of the International Union of Railways (UIC) and the International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport (UIRR). In this report, we present the state of combined transport in Europe. The report examines freight transport that uses at least two modes, with most of it going via a sustainable mode such as rail and/or inland waterway, and only a short section of pre- and/or post-transport by road. We also carry out a number of additional analyses, in particular around digitalisation within the sector, the cost distribution of combined transport, and the impact of the upcoming amendment to the European Directive on weights and measures of heavy vehicles.
Our research showed that, despite difficult conditions during the COVID period, combined transport has held up well and represents an increasing share of the rail market. Particularly in countries where rail is traditionally less strong, combined transport can still gain a foothold in the market due to its greater flexibility. The cost-benefit analysis also showed that combined transport can be a cost-effective solution, especially for transport over longer distances. In terms of digitalisation, the biggest challenges lie in setting up common standards that offer sufficient openness to players from diverse backgrounds, something several developers are currently working on, with industry support.
TML conducted the entire study. We collected the necessary data for this, primarily from Eurostat. We obtained further details through an online survey of combined transport operators across Europe. For the additional analyses, we worked on the basis of literature, interviews, and economic analysis. Finally, we also took steps towards tapping possible new sources of data, with a view to a next edition of the report.
The report was presented during Rail Cargo Month on 9 November 2022 at the UIC headquarters in Paris.
The Combined Transport Report is a biennial publication of the International Union of Railways (UIC) and the International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport (UIRR). In this report, we present the state of combined transport in Europe. The report examines freight transport that uses at least two modes, with most of it going via a sustainable mode such as rail and/or inland waterway, and only a short section of pre- and/or post-transport by road. We also carry out a number of additional analyses, in particular around digitalisation within the sector, the cost distribution of combined transport, and the impact of the upcoming amendment to the European Directive on weights and measures of heavy vehicles.
Our research showed that, despite difficult conditions during the COVID period, combined transport has held up well and represents an increasing share of the rail market. Particularly in countries where rail is traditionally less strong, combined transport can still gain a foothold in the market due to its greater flexibility. The cost-benefit analysis also showed that combined transport can be a cost-effective solution, especially for transport over longer distances. In terms of digitalisation, the biggest challenges lie in setting up common standards that offer sufficient openness to players from diverse backgrounds, something several developers are currently working on, with industry support.
TML conducted the entire study. We collected the necessary data for this, primarily from Eurostat. We obtained further details through an online survey of combined transport operators across Europe. For the additional analyses, we worked on the basis of literature, interviews, and economic analysis. Finally, we also took steps towards tapping possible new sources of data, with a view to a next edition of the report.
The report was presented during Rail Cargo Month on 9 November 2022 at the UIC headquarters in Paris.
