{"id":244151,"date":"2025-06-30T19:02:28","date_gmt":"2025-06-30T09:02:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=63602"},"modified":"2025-06-30T19:02:28","modified_gmt":"2025-06-30T09:02:28","slug":"improve-cooperation-with-non-eu-countries-to-boost-port-rail-flows","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=244151","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Improve cooperation with non-EU countries to boost port-rail flows\u2019"},"content":{"rendered":"

The European Union needs to bolster its cooperation with non-Member States to improve rail freight flows. That is one of the appeals by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) in its recent sector position on the EU\u2019s Port Strategy. Improving cooperation with third countries could allow for more freight to pass through strategic ports.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>\u201cPorts are vital to Europe\u2019s economic strength and strategic autonomy. As gateways to global trade, they must be at the heart of a modern, multimodal, and climate-resilient logistics system \u2014 and that system must be rail-integrated\u201d, CER writes<\/a>. According to the organisation, rail is key to using ports to their full potential, but the integration of rail in port operations varies widely across the Union.<\/p>\n

Consequently, CER calls for investments in port rail infrastructure, including 740-metre loading tracks, digitalised track management and direct ship-to-rail transfer facilities. Moreover, CER argues that rail planning should accompany port expansions, so that future bottlenecks can be avoided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Source: CER.<\/caption>\n
Port<\/th>\nCountry<\/th>\nTEU (2024)<\/th>\nRail share<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Port of Bremerhaven<\/td>\nGermany<\/td>\n4.61 million<\/td>\n50.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Port of Hamburg<\/td>\nGermany<\/td>\n7.76 million<\/td>\n33.3%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Gda\u0144sk<\/td>\nPoland<\/td>\n2.25 million<\/td>\n35.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Port of Barcelona<\/td>\nSpain<\/td>\n3.90 million<\/td>\n10.2%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Port of Antwerp-Bruges<\/td>\nBelgium<\/td>\n13.53 million<\/td>\n10.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Port of Rotterdam<\/td>\nNetherlands<\/td>\n13.82 million<\/td>\n8.9%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Port of Valencia<\/td>\nSpain<\/td>\n5.47 million<\/td>\n8.5%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Port of Gioia Tauro<\/td>\nItaly<\/td>\n3.90 million<\/td>\n~5-8%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
HAROPA Port (Le Havre, Rouen, Paris)<\/td>\nFrance<\/td>\n3.10 million<\/td>\n~5-10%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Port of Algeciras<\/td>\nSpain<\/td>\n4.76 million<\/td>\n5.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Port of Piraeus<\/td>\nGreece<\/td>\n4.82 million<\/td>\n2.0%<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Hinterland and corridors<\/h2>\n

An important aspect of using ports to their full potential is having solid hinterland connections. For that reason, the European rail community calls for an accelerated implementation of the European Transport Corridors, as well as expanded rail-road terminal infrastructure along those routes.<\/p>\n

However, these corridors also extend beyond the EU\u2019s borders, and so cooperation with non-Member States is also desired, says CER. \u201cSome strategically relevant ports, either outside EU territory or with access routes through non-EU countries are crucial for European Transport Corridors. The EU should enhance coordination with these third countries and provide significant infrastructure funding to improve rail transport flows to and from these key ports.\u201d<\/p>\n

T\u00fcrkiye and Greece<\/h2>\n

CER highlights the Turkish Tekirda\u011f port, as well as Greece\u2019s Thessaloniki and Piraeus ports as examples. Tekirda\u011f links up to the Western Balkans – Eastern Mediterranean and Baltic Sea – Black Sea – Aegean Sea corridor. The Greek ports provide hinterland connectivity through North Macedonia and Serbia, but coordination is a necessity to make use of those rail access routes.<\/p>\n

Lastly, CER wants to reduce costs for rail incurred in ports by improving competition and providing targeted operating aid, for example for shunting and transshipment. The organisation also wants a revision of the Combined Transport Directive to boost the modal shift towards intermodal operations.<\/p>\n