Improving military logistics and mobility is one of the objectives of the EU in these times of instability. One of the goals is to create a European Military Schengen by 2027, according to Herald Ruijters from DG MOVE, who highlighted how “logistics wins wars” during a recent CT4EU event in Brussels.
However, more funds and more financing tools are needed, Ruijters said during the event organised by UIRR. For example, the CEF funds allocated until 2034 do show a stronger focus on military mobility, but not enough to reach the objectives in time. Most of the problems, experts agreed, lie with the infrastructure, while operators and the rest of business are ready.
An additional hurdle is fragmentation, both at the international and local levels. In the best case scenario, certifications and authorisations are needed for each country that a convoy loaded with military cargo needs to cross. However, in more bureaucratic countries such as, for instance, France, the number of permits needed rises as smaller local institutions get involved. With these obstacles, the creation of a Schengen area for military mobility remains a challenge.
‘Combined transport is ready’
Robert Groiss from Metrans and Mindaugas Skunčikas from LTG Cargo explained how operators, especially in eastern Europe, have been focussing on military mobility for quite a few years already. Skunčikas pointed out that the Lithuanian operator moved around 500 trains for military mobility since the beginning of the year.
However, infrastructure and terminals are not up to the task, they concurred. Upgrading the railway network will take another few years, especially in Germany, a key EU hub for military mobility. Moreover, the standard gauge to the Baltics and to Ukraine is only partially there. Regarding terminals, Skunčikas suggested that a large number of terminals should be dual use and built on public land.
No rolling stock revolution needed
Another aspect analysed at the event concerned wagons. Moving military cargo sometimes requires special adjustments, but most of the time ‘normal’ wagons can do the job just as well. Existing technology for combined transport such as the ones enabling the rail transport of non-cranable semi-trailers are also good enough to meet the current needs. All experts speaking at the event agreed that a rolling stock revolution is not necessary.