Transport by train to Spain 30% cheaper and 70-90% more sustainable than road transport.

Like many modern companies, we believe in an economic growth, but not in unrestrained growth in road traffic for various reasons. Together with Bakker Barendrecht, we are working as a spider in the web to make Coolrail a success. In the winter of 2016/2017 we have been running test trains for 5 months with good results. This winter we expect Coolrail to drive from Valencia twice a week, via Cologne to Rotterdam, according to a fixed timetable and as it stands, that number will increase rapidly.

Rail is a necessary addition to road transport

The Coolrail project originated from the Fresh Corridors studies. These studies showed that the corridor to Spain was the most viable. Rail transport between the Netherlands and Spain has never got off the ground for various reasons. However, several shippers have continued to make the connection possible, because they believe that rail will become a necessary addition to road transport in the future. This has led to a test period in which the shippers (Albert Heijn, Bakker Barendrecht, Colruyt Group, Edeka Fruchtkontor Valencia, Euro Pool System, Plus Retail, Smeding and Visbeen Transport) have transported products by train twice a week for 5 months. The basis for the connection is the export of AGF from Spain to the north. Especially citrus fruit from Valencia and melons and various vegetables from Murcia. To the south it is mainly packaging and frozen chips. We are also open to other product groups.

30% cheaper and 70% more sustainable

The studies showed that rail transport to and from Spain can be 30% cheaper, including pre- and post transport, and that a reduction of 70-90% CO2 emissions can be achieved. Those kinds of numbers naturally make us enthusiastic. However, in practice rail transport through France to Spain has encountered quite a few problems. The traction suppliers were not very competitive with their prices and could not guarantee us good paths. By a lot of consultation and by building a good relationship, we got some parties to actively look for solutions and improvements. We are now at the table with both the tractor suppliers and the infrastructure managers of the different countries and receive help from different Corridors.

Improve transit time

The infrastructure managers and Corridors are working to increase the length of the trains in addition to improving transit time and most importantly: reliability. Currently, the lead time from terminal to terminal is 48 hours, ’ leave in the evening and ’ arrive in the evening. We would like to return to 36-38 hours, so that we can leave Valencia on Tuesday evening and be in Rotterdam on Thursday morning, for example. This is a faster transit time than the truck and also allows a connection to the UK and / or Scandinavia overseas. We now have rates that we can use reasonably well, but in order to achieve our ambitions it will have to be even more competitive.

Partnership

Coolrail’s organization is different from what is usual. There is no existing Rail Operator, LSP or a customer who is fully responsible. We have arranged this as partners, as a partnership. It goes without saying that we hire existing and experienced companies to deliver the traction, act as a control tower, et cetera, but we as a Coolrail group organize the volume bundling. The shipper group, currently with 15 parties, provide 100% filling of the trains. As mentioned, according to the studies there is enough potential to increase the frequency. We are currently in talks with various shippers and logistics service providers to join us and that looks promising. If you are also interested, you can always report to us.