25 June 2021

CLECAT DEBATES FUTURE OF MULTIMODAL TRANSPORT

On 23 June, CLECAT’s Rail Freight Institute met to discuss CLECAT’s initiatives in response to a number of ongoing rail-freight policy developments.

To support the greening of cargo operations, the European Green Deal calls for a substantial part of the inland freight traffic to shift away from road towards cleaner modes such as rail, inland waterways and short-sea shipping. More specifically, the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy stipulates that rail freight traffic should increase by 50% by 2030 and double by 2050. In this context, the Commission has pledged to substantially revamp the existing framework for multimodal transport. The scarcity of transhipment infrastructure, and of inland multimodal terminals, in particular, which is pronounced in certain parts of Europe, would need to be addressed, and missing links in multimodal infrastructure closed. Ultimately, all transport modes for freight would have to come together in multimodal terminals. This, in turn, is to be further stressed in TEN-T and Rail Freight Corridor reviews and supported by EU funding and other policies, including R&I support. Important support measures, regulatory or economic, can be also foreseen in the revision of the Combined Transport Directive and other instruments. In addition, the review of the State aid rules, which already provide for a relatively flexible framework to publicly fund sustainable transport, can further contribute to the EU’s modal shift and multimodality objectives.

To ensure a successful market-driven modal shift, CLECAT members highlighted the need for an ambitious new proposal from the European Commission on Combined Transport. Improving quality, including in network- and intermodal terminal capacity, are essential elements. Considering the increased cost of combined- and multimodal transport compared to monomodal road-freight transport, providing the right incentives will be a key factor. This should include financial incentives, provided it does not lead to a distortion of competition, as well as a reduction of the administrative burdens. Additional non-financial incentives should be considered, including an effective system for the authorisation of heavier loads in cross-border operations, and most importantly an EU-level support for mixed train operations, as these suit better the current market reality and bear the potential to significantly improve services.

Achieving the European Commission’s modal shift ambitions will thus only be realistic if the right framework conditions are put in place. To that end, CLECAT, together with its members, is working on proposing an ambitious way forward to the European Commission, to ensure a successful multimodal transport framework in Europe, which will be key to green freight transport operations through a realistic and market-oriented approach.