ECS, market leader in supply chain solutions and intermodal transport, is taking another step in its sustainable growth strategy with the launch of a new freight train connection between Zeebrugge and Crailsheim near Stuttgart in Germany. Three trains will run each week, taking more than 11,000 trucks off the road each year and saving 2,600 tonnes of CO2. With this new route, ECS is moving another step closer to its target of 100 million kilometres travelled annually by rail by 2030.
From September, the first freight trains will use the new rail link between Zeebrugge and Crailsheim in Germany. The new rail link seamlessly integrates with the existing rail and short sea shipping connections to the UK and Ireland, among others, and further strengthens the logistics network of the intermodal transport specialist. The launch of the rail service was made possible in cooperation with Lineas, the largest private rail freight operator in Europe.
Over 11,000 containers
The new link will carry 42 containers back and forth between Zeebrugge and Crailsheim three times a week. This will take more than 11,000 containers and the same number of trucks off the road each year, reducing not only traffic but also CO2 emissions. The estimated savings are up to 2,600 tonnes of CO2 per year.
New loading and unloading method
The new rail link uses a new loading and unloading method in which the full set of wagons to be unloaded is uncoupled and a set of already filled wagons is picked up. This method minimises loading time and allows the 751-kilometre route to be completed within 24 hours, with minimal loss of time and high punctuality compared to congestion-prone road transport.
Sustainability
ECS is committed to maximising the potential of this rail link. We proactively contact our customers in order to fill the trains optimally so that as few empty containers as possible are transported. This is not only economically interesting, but also contributes to our sustainability goals,' says Sven Pieters, CEO of ECS.
This expansion is in line with ECS's CSR strategy, which stands for Creating Sustainable & Reliable Logistics. ECS aims to increase the share of rail transport to 50% of all its continental operations by 2025 and to more than 60% by 2030. With this new connection to Crailsheim, we are adding 8.7 million kilometres per year by rail and are well on track to achieving our targets," concludes Yves Strubbe, Commercial Director of ECS.