{"id":459965,"date":"2026-06-22T17:32:31","date_gmt":"2026-06-22T07:32:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=71968"},"modified":"2026-06-22T17:32:31","modified_gmt":"2026-06-22T07:32:31","slug":"change-shipper-and-freight-forwarder-mindset-on-rail-freight-say-french-heavyweights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=459965","title":{"rendered":"\u2018Change shipper and freight forwarder mindset on rail freight\u2019, say French heavyweights"},"content":{"rendered":"

At a recent event organised by trade publication Ville, Rail & Transports (VRT), Rapha\u00ebl Doutrebente (chairman and CEO of Europorte) and Alexandre Gallo (who heads DB Cargo France) shared a platform to debate some of the main issues currently facing the industry. Network quality is high on the priority list of the two French rail freight \u2018heavyweights\u2019.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The
The CEO of DB Cargo France, Alexandre Gallo. Image: \u00a9 Association Fran\u00e7aise du Rail (AFRA)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Earlier this month, the French government set national rail infrastructure manager SNCF R\u00e9seau \u201cambitious\u201d performance targets for the development of passenger and freight transport until 2033. It comprises an \u201cunprecedented\u201d investment programme for the regeneration and modernisation of the network.
\n<\/span>\u201cThe state of the network really is the number 1 issue, hampering freight performance\u201d, Gallo underlined. \u201cWe need SNCF R\u00e9seau to make a significant leap forward in the management of train services.\u201d<\/p>\n

This was echoed by Europorte\u2019s Doutrebente. \u201cLaunching a train service requires at least a year\u2019s preparation so we need to have the visibility that the network can deliver. We must work in partnership with SNCF R\u00e9seau to gain customers\u2019 trust and encourage them to invest and switch to rail.\u201d<\/p>\n

He pointed to the Ulysse (rail freight) development programme, which is intended to provide four billion euros in investment, part of which has already been approved thanks to co-funding between central government and regional public authorities. \u201cBut some regions are more involved than others.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Europorte\u2019s
Europorte\u2019s president Rapha\u00ebl Doutrebente. Image: \u00a9 Getlink<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

However, the modernisation of the rail network cannot rely solely on public funding, Doutrebente pointing out that bringing capillary or secondary lines up to scratch requires considerable investment and that it is therefore only natural for the private sector to make a long-term commitment to rail transport.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe cannot expect the state to do everything. Industrial groups must understand that this has to be a give-and-take situation. If everyone plays their part, this will open up new opportunities for the development of rail freight.\u201d<\/p>\n

Changing mindset of shippers<\/h2>\n

Participants in VRT\u2019s event heard how manufacturers who need to decarbonise because their operations generate high levels of greenhouse gas emissions are the ones most receptive to the environmental benefits of rail freight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is the case with automakers and cement producers who are actively seeking modal shift solutions. But these are also companies that are large enough to consider this type of logistics organisation\u201d, Gallo explained.<\/p>\n

The two executives expressed disappointment that logistics services providers (LSP) rarely take the initiative in offering the rail freight option to their customers.<\/p>\n

\u201cOften, customers have to do all the running so to speak before an alternative is considered as was the case with (French retailer) Monoprix and (LSP) XPO regarding river transport,\u201d Gallo noted.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe want to change the way shippers and freight forwarders view rail freight, Doutrebente added. \u201cWe want them to stop seeing it as a solution that is inherently complicated. It\u2019s simply a mode of transport that requires experience, foresight and a long-term vision\u201d, Doutrebente added.<\/p>\n

Retailing<\/h2>\n

Gallo pointed to the large-scale retail sector as possessing the greatest potential for modal shift but very few companies are actually making use of it.<\/p>\n

He attributed this to many of them \u201cremaining stuck in outdated ways of thinking regarding warehouse opening hours or logistics timetabling, which are sometimes incompatible with the constraints of rail transport.\u201d<\/p>\n