RAIL FREIGHT ADDS CAPACITY AS LOW RHINE DRIVES MODAL SHIFT
Rail freight operators are increasing capacity along the Rhine corridor as persistent low water continues to restrict inland shipping. RailFreight.com reported that DB Cargo, RheinCargo and Kombiverkehr are making additional wagons and train capacity available as cargo shifts from barges to rail.
DB Cargo says it can mobilise around 400 additional freight wagons at short notice. According to CEO Bernhard Osburg, this could provide capacity equivalent to as many as 100 inland vessels. A further 500 wagons could potentially become available in the coming months under a longer-term low-water reserve concept, although financing has yet to be agreed.
The announcement follows discussions between Germany’s federal and state transport authorities on measures to accommodate freight displaced from the Rhine, including additional freight train paths along the Rhine corridor and more flexible use of combined transport terminals.
RheinCargo has already added three weekly round trips carrying coal from Rotterdam to Hüttenwerke Krupp Mannesmann (HKM) in Duisburg. Low water has reduced the volumes transported by HGK Dry Shipping to HKM from around 24,000 tonnes of coal and iron ore per day to approximately 14,500 tonnes. RheinCargo has leased 46 wagons for the additional services, providing around 6,000 tonnes of extra rail capacity per week.
Kombiverkehr is also expanding capacity. From 7 September, its Köln–Basel service will increase from three to five departures per week in each direction, adding capacity for around 400 TEU. The operator says around 2,000 TEU is currently available across its network for short-notice shifts from inland waterways to rail, including connections from Rotterdam and Antwerp towards major destinations along the Rhine corridor.
The developments highlight rail’s role in providing an alternative when inland waterways are disrupted, but also its capacity constraints. Rail was already under pressure before the latest shift in demand, with DHL Global Forwarding reporting lead times of around six weeks for rail bookings. Train paths, terminals, locomotives and wagons remain potential bottlenecks.