Maersk Unveils Innovative Rail Route from Barcelona to Southern France, Significantly Reducing Cargo Transit Times

Maersk Unveils Innovative Rail Route from Barcelona to Southern France, Significantly Reducing Cargo Transit Times

(IN BRIEF) In a strategic move aimed at expediting ocean cargo transport, Maersk is introducing a novel rail service linking the Port of Barcelona to Southern France. This tailored offering targets regions such as Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Lyon, providing a faster alternative gateway compared to traditional routes. Starting in early November, Maersk will operate three weekly direct block trains connecting Barcelona to Toulouse, along with one weekly connection to Lyon. This solution seamlessly extends cargo access to Bordeaux via Toulouse, and future plans involve expanding rail connectivity to Tarragona and Zaragoza in Spain. The innovation is expected to slash transit times for import and export cargo in the Toulouse, Bordeaux, and Lyon regions by up to 12 days, with an average reduction of 7 days compared to conventional routes through French or North European ports. Leveraging shorter transport distances and electrified trains, the environmentally friendly routing is also available for intra-continental cargo between Spain and France. Maersk’s commitment to enhancing logistics solutions aims to increase reliability and resilience in customers’ supply chains, as highlighted by Emilio de la Cruz, Managing Director of Maersk’s Area South West Europe. Maersk is partnering with APM Spain Railways, Captrain, and Naviland for this end-to-end service, utilizing interoperable locomotives to ensure seamless operations and top-tier reliability at the Spanish-French border.

(PRESS RELEASE) BARCELONA, 6-Oct-2023 — /EuropaWire/ — Maersk is launching a new rail product from the Port of Barcelona to Southern France especially designed to cut transit times of ocean cargo destined to the areas Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lyon by using Barcelona as an alternative gateway. Starting early November there will be three weekly direct block trains between Barcelona and Toulouse as well as one weekly connection between Barcelona and Lyon. Via Toulouse the solution also connects cargo to Bordeaux seamlessly by using a partner network. Furthermore, it is intended to extend the connectivity on the Spanish side by rail to the areas of Tarragona and Zaragoza.

This new offering can shorten transit times for im- and export cargo in the areas Toulouse, Bordeaux and Lyon by up to 12 days (7 days on average) compared to traditional routings via French or North European ports. Thanks to shorter transport distances and the utilisation of electrified trains it can also be a more environmentally friendly routing. The block trains can also be booked for intra-continental cargo between Spain and France.

“We are always striving to improve and simplify logistics solutions for our customers and offer better alternatives. By offering them our reliable landside distribution network via rail from the Port of Barcelona we will also increase reliability and resilience in our customers’ supply chains”. Emilio de la Cruz, Managing Director of Maersk’s Area South West Europe

Maersk is operating this new end to end service via its own company APM Spain Railways and cooperates for the trains with the partners Captrain and Naviland.

Thanks to brand new interoperable locomotives, the block trains neither have to stop to change the locomotive or replace wheel-sets at the Spanish-French border for seamless operations and best-in-class reliability.

About Maersk

A.P. Moller – Maersk is an integrated logistics company working to connect and simplify its customers’ supply chains. As a global leader in logistics services, the company operates in more than 130 countries and employs over 100,000 people. Maersk is aiming to reach net zero emissions by 2040 across the entire business with new technologies, new vessels, and green fuels.

Media Contact:

Rainer Horn
Media Relations Manager
+49 152 54 52 14 62
mailto:rainer.horn@maersk.com

SOURCE: A.P. Moller – Maersk