ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) Expands TransFER Service, Forging a Direct Rail Link to Rotterdam

Port of Rotterdam/Shoretension mooringsystem

(IN BRIEF) ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG) is enhancing its TransFER service by introducing a direct rail connection between Linz, Duisburg, and Rotterdam, creating efficient freight transport between Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands. Rotterdam, one of the world’s largest seaports and Europe’s largest deep-sea port, plays a vital role in rail freight transport and serves as a major logistics hub. RCG’s TransFER service offers four round trips per week and accommodates various transport options, including containers and swap bodies. This expansion promotes sustainable, safe, and efficient hinterland connections and aims to reduce emissions and traffic congestion.

(PRESS RELEASE) WIEN, 29-Jan-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — ÖBB-Holding AG, a comprehensive mobility and logistics service provider, announces that ÖBB Rail Cargo Group (RCG), Europe’s premier rail logistics provider, is revolutionizing its TransFER service by introducing a direct connection to Rotterdam. This strategic move enhances the transportation network between Austria, Germany, and the Netherlands, capitalizing on Rotterdam’s status as one of the world’s largest and Europe’s most prominent deep-sea ports.

Rotterdam is a critical nexus for rail freight transport, functioning as a major logistics hub that seamlessly facilitates the transshipment of goods between rail, sea, and road. This development not only strengthens freight transport within Europe but also extends its reach beyond the continent.

Clemens Först, CEO of RCG, emphasized the significance of this expansion, stating, “With our new TransFER Linz–Duisburg–Rotterdam, we are creating another high-frequency direct connection to one of the world’s largest seaports. With four round trips per week and numerous transport options – from classic containers to swap bodies and soon also cranable trailers – our TransFER offers an optimal connection for maritime flows of goods to the economic regions of Western and Central Europe.“

This upgraded TransFER service also facilitates seamless cargo transfers within Rotterdam to various maritime and continental terminals in the Maasvlakte and Waalhaven industrial zones. Additionally, it connects to the ports of Antwerp and Zeebrugge, further enhancing logistical flexibility.

Matthijs van Doorn, Vice President Commercial at the Port of Rotterdam Authority, praised the rail service’s multifaceted benefits, stating, “As port authority we strive for sustainable, safe and efficient hinterland connections. Therefore, this new connection provides much more than just an additional rail service. Next to more flexibility and better connectivity for our customers, it also means fewer traffic on the motorways and thus less emissions and less risk of traffic jams and accidents.”

Key Highlights of the Expanded TransFER Service:

1. Regular and Reliable Schedule: The TransFER service operates on a fixed timetable, ensuring dependable logistics planning.
2. Versatile Cargo Handling: The service accommodates a wide range of stackable containers, from 20 to 45 feet, and allows for the use of swap bodies. Plans for cranable trailers are also in the works.
3. Safety Compliance: The entire route adheres to safety regulations for transporting dangerous goods (RID).

RCG’s TransFER service forms an integral part of its extensive TransFER network, offering over 60 connections, more than 1,500 combinations, and customizable routes for efficient freight transportation across the Eurasian continent. With a presence in 18 countries, RCG’s dedicated team of logistics professionals ensures the safe and punctual delivery of goods, from the first to the last mile.

As a leading rail logistics provider in Europe, RCG plays a pivotal role in connecting people, businesses, and markets throughout the continent and beyond. Its efficient end-to-end logistics services transport over 88 million net tonnes of freight each year, securing a modal share of 27.5% (preliminary value) in Austria’s total freight market, solidifying its position as a top-tier logistics company in Europe.

For more information about RCG and its services, please visit the official website.

About the Port of Rotterdam:

The Port of Rotterdam stands as a cornerstone of Dutch and European transportation and economic systems. Beyond its immense economic and social contributions in the Rotterdam-Rijnmond region, the port’s significance extends to the broader logistics sector and businesses engaged in import and export activities throughout the Netherlands and Europe. Through job creation, added value, revenue generation, and business locations, the port bolsters these sectors.

The Port of Rotterdam Authority assumes responsibility for the sustainable development, management, and operation of the port while ensuring the smooth and safe handling of shipping. Its primary objective is to fortify the port’s position as a logistics hub and future-proof industrial complex, emphasizing quality over size. The authority prioritizes environmental impact, striving to protect the climate and immediate surroundings while fostering cooperation with businesses.

Port of Rotterdam Authority Key Figures:

• Employees: Approximately 1,300
• Revenue: Approximately €825 million
• Gross Investments: €257 million
• Port Area: 12,500 hectares (land and water, with over 6,000 hectares dedicated to industrial sites)
• Port Area Length: Over 40 kilometers
• Cargo Throughput: Approximately 467 million tonnes of freight annually
• Shipping: Approximately 30,000 seagoing vessels and 100,000 inland vessels per year
• Employment: 193,000 jobs (direct and indirect)
• Added Value: €30.6 billion, contributing 3.2% of Dutch gross domestic product (GDP)
• The port generates over 500,000 jobs and provides added value exceeding €60 billion for the Netherlands.

ÖBB
As a comprehensive mobility and logistics service provider, ÖBB transported a total of 447 million passengers and over 88 million tonnes of freight to its destinations in a climate and environmentally friendly manner in 2022. This is thanks to the electricity for trains and stations being generated entirely from renewable energy sources. With a punctuality rate of around 95,5 per cent in passenger transport, ÖBB is one of the most punctual railway operators in Europe. ÖBB invests more than three billion euros per year in railway infrastructure in its drive to build a railway system fit for the future. Across the Group, around 42,600 bus and rail employees and an additional  2,000 apprentices ensure that more than 1.2 million passengers and around 1,230 freight trains arrive safely at their destinations every day. ÖBB is the backbone of the Austrian public transport system and, as Austria’s largest climate protection company, gets people and freight to their destinations safely and in an environmentally friendly manner. The strategic lead company of the group is the ÖBB-Holding AG.

Media contact:

Maria Magdalena Pavitsich
Spokesperson
ÖBB-Holding AG
Telefon: +43 664 88836 400
mariamagdalena.pavitsich@oebb.at
www.oebb.at

SOURCE: ÖBB Group