Xrail – European alliance for wagonload traffic created

Wagonload traffic represents around half of all rail freight transport by rail in Europe and, according to market studies, has significant growth potential. As the most important operating mode it is to become more attractive and more efficient. This is the goal of the new Xrail alliance. Xrail was officially created today when the founding agreement was signed by the CEOs of its partner railway undertakings in Zurich. The alliance is made up of seven partners: CD Cargo (Czech Republic), CFL cargo (Luxembourg), DB Schenker Rail (Germany), Green Cargo (Sweden), Rail Cargo Austria (Austria), SBB Cargo (Switzerland) and SNCB Logistics (Belgium).

The alliance intends to boost the quality and competitiveness of European wagonload transport vis-à-vis road haulage. “Close cooperation on production and information processes can help us unlock significant potential in efficiency and quality”, Xrail Project Leader Günther J. Ferk explained. Xrail implements a cross-border production standard to make wagonload customers benefit in three areas: reliability (at least 90 percent in international wagonload traffic on the Xrail network), transparency (international timetables from customer siding to customer siding, active information systems) and offering process (standard response time of three days maximum).

Xrail – a production alliance with potential for growth
After the successful completion of the pilot phase during which services were delivered to customers according to the Xrail standards, Xrail will initially link the major economic areas of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg, Sweden and Switzerland. Xrail uses the existing infrastructure, the European Union’s TEN-T corridors (Trans European Transport Network). Xrail intends to expand its network in stages, the long-term goal being to encompass the entire European wagonload traffic network.

Fixed costs make up circa 90 per cent of the cost of wagonload traffic, therefore the partners in the alliance are taking every effort to make optimum use of their respective networks in order to ensure the future development of wagonload traffic. And there is good news for the environment too: the environmental performance of rail freight transport is much better than that of road haulage, especially over long distances.

Geert Pauwels, Head of Freight Division SNCB, SNCB Logistics: “We invest significantly in the development of qualitative single wagon load traffic in Belgium, but this alliance is very important for our international service offering. Also we firmly believe qualitative international SWL transport can mean a boost to the European SME’s.”

About Xrail
Xrail was initiated in 2007 under the leadership of the International Union of Railways (UIC) in Paris developing and designing international production standards, all required IT tools, quality improvement measures and the alliance agreement. “UIC is delighted to have facilitated the creation of the Xrail alliance laying the foundation for a sustainable wagonload network throughout Europe”, says Oliver Sellnick, UIC Freight Director. Xrail concerns the operation of international wagonload traffic between the rail freight operators CD Cargo, CFL cargo, DB Schenker Rail, Green Cargo, Rail Cargo Austria, SNCB Logistics and SBB Cargo. The alliance is not targeting on block train transport or combined transport using swap bodies. The commercial part of wagonload traffic, such as customer liaison and pricing, remains the direct responsibility of each of the participating railway undertakings, meaning they continue to compete with one another. However, all Xrail partners commit to maintaining the high standards of quality and service for the customers, as defined within the alliance.

For more information on Xrail and wagonload traffic see additional factsheets on www.xrail.eu

Veerle Van Mierlo – 00 32 2 528 37 37 – veerle.vanmierlo@sncb.be