{"id":407634,"date":"2026-04-17T18:49:15","date_gmt":"2026-04-17T08:49:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=70651"},"modified":"2026-04-20T16:47:20","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T06:47:20","slug":"webinar-recap-the-role-of-combined-transport-during-a-fuel-crisis","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=407634","title":{"rendered":"RailFreight.com webinar recap: The role of combined transport during a fuel crisis"},"content":{"rendered":"

RailFreight.com\u2019s latest webinar saw Akos Ersek, Chief Policy Advisor at UIRR, and Martin Koubek, Head of Silk Road at Metrans, discussing the impact of the current fuel crisis on combined transport in Europe. Thanks to its lower reliance on fossil fuels, this mode of transport can play a key role in keeping the supply chain moving.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The main takeaway from the webinar, which you can watch below, is that combined transport is in a much better position to help than it was during the fuel crises of the 1970s. \u201cCombined transport peaked before the COVID-19 pandemic, proving that it can do more than what it does today\u201d, Ersek pointed out.<\/p>\n

The electricity needed to power locomotives and electric trucks is largely produced in Europe via renewables and nuclear energy, ensuring a degree of independence from foreign oil and fuel imports, Ersek underlined. There are also a much larger number of combined transport terminals across Europe compared to 50 years ago, and the same can be said for rolling stock and connections.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, fossil fuels are still a vital component of today\u2019s rail and intermodal market. The infrastructure at ports and terminals can rarely be electrified, meaning that shunting locomotives still need to be powered by diesel. Moreover, significant portions of the railway networks in Europe are being renovated, forcing operators to re-route on non-electrified lines.<\/p>\n

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European Cargo Experience 2026<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Intermodal connectivity and the evolving role of terminals within the wider supply chain will be a central theme at this year\u2019s\u00a0European Cargo Experience 2026<\/strong><\/span><\/span>,<\/strong> taking place on May 6\u20137 in Gda\u0144sk<\/span><\/span><\/strong>. The two-day event will open with a dedicated terminal visit to Baltic Hub<\/span><\/span>, offering attendees first-hand insight into the latest expansion developments and operational enhancements, followed by a networking dinner later that evening. The conference programme will then continue with in-depth discussions on intermodal integration, the role of digitalisation and equipment enhancements, with further details available via the official event website and programme link.<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n