IFB develops its network to the South significantly (France, Spain and Italy)

The traffics Belgium – France - Spain
As of February 1, the rail connections of IFB in the direction of Spain will do a stop-over in Bonneuil-sur-Marne, located South of Paris, where wagons can be (dis-)connected. In Bonneuil-sur-Marne IFB disposes of an intermodal rail terminal with hits own operational team for the local operations. The terminal is equipped with two rails of 1.000 m and two reach-stackers and offers a capacity of 36.000 UTI per year. Except the classical transhipment from train to truck and vice-versa, the customers can also call upon the terminal for warehousing and reparation of containers. The terminal is located next to the river Marne, which makes that barging services can also be offered.
The creation of this hub not only means a boost for the whole North-South axe, but also is an important support for the Spanish traffics to and from Belgium and France, and offers IFB also the possibility to serve the whole Paris region. In view of the development of new (inter-) national traffics, a dedicated IFB commercial team is active in a new subsidiary IFB France, located in Bonneuil-sur-Marne.
In the mean time, IFB starts up a close operational and commercial collaboration with IC Iberica. Thanks to this partnership, IFB can maintain the control and offer the necessary quality for the traffics from and towards Spain.
Paul Wouters, General Manager IFB: “We had a clear demand for regular transports between Belgium, in casu Antwerp, and Paris and for a development of the traffics in the direction of Spain. Together with our customers and thanks to the collaboration with IC Iberica, we have succeeded to develop a complete and qualitative solution that is in line with the demand of the market.”

The gateway traffics Belgium –Italy
As of March 2010, IFB will set up a first rail connection between Milano Segrato and Pomezia/Roma. This initiative is facilitated through its subsidiary IFB Italy, and in partnership with Interporto Campano, a vast Italian logistics group. This partnership not only aims to develop gateway traffics from Italy, but also domestic traffics.

Paul Wouters, General Manager IFB: “Our connection Belgium – Italy is very successful and we are confronted with the increasing demand for further development. We extend our team significantly with local commercial and operational specialists. Moreover, the partnership with a reliable and important player as Interporto Campano permits to actively work this growth market and to offer a complete range of logistics services to the customers.”

Geert Pauwels, CEO IFB and Head of the Freight Division of SNCB : “After the start up of IFB Italy in 2009 and our presence since years in Germany and the Netherlands through our barging company H&S Container Line, the creation of IFB France is an important step towards a further internationalization of our activities. The international development strategy of IFB will be supported even more in the course of 2010 by important partnerships, in order to offer reliable services throughout Europe and to increase our commercial range. IFB will continue to invest in the development of qualitative and reliable rail and barging connections to all European countries.”