{"id":506100,"date":"2026-08-12T23:04:33","date_gmt":"2026-08-12T13:04:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=73433"},"modified":"2026-08-12T23:04:33","modified_gmt":"2026-08-12T13:04:33","slug":"dhl-highlights-difficulties-in-switching-to-alternative-transport-modes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=506100","title":{"rendered":"DHL highlights difficulties in switching to alternative transport modes"},"content":{"rendered":"

DHL Global Forwarding (DGF) has highlighted the difficulties in switching to rail and road freight as record-low water levels continue to seriously disrupt navigation on the Rhine. \u201cThe current availability on road and rail is already very tight,\u201d Florian W\u00f6bb, DGF\u2019s Head of Intermodal ICC, in Germany, underlined at a webinar held earlier today,<\/strong>
\n<\/span>During the \u2018Rhine Low Water: What Shippers Need to Know’ webinar, participants heard how reduced barge capacity is leading to longer transit times, rising transportation costs and increasing pressure on alternative rail and road networks. \u201cFinding a truck can currently take up to two weeks in advance and for rail even longer, indeed, getting longer still, because many customers are deciding to switch modes and rail offers a certain security.\u201d<\/p>\n

He continued: \u201cHowever, shippers and forwarders are confronted with six week-long pre-notice times with regard to rail bookings so shippers will need to show some patience here. If rail is the future \u2013 currently its modal share of inland freight going in and out of the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges is estimated at approximately15% -then capacity must be made available.\u201d<\/p>\n

Commenting on the specific rail options at the ports of Rotterdam and Antwerp-Bruges, DGF\u2019s VP and global head of China Rail\/Multimodal and ICC Europe. \u201cOf course, these exist but at the moment it is all about the availability of rail capacity and ramping up more which is proving something of a challenge. It\u2019s not just about adding more trains. Obtaining new slots in the these ports is tough. There\u2019s a run on capacity and everybody is impacted and seeking options before going to trucks.\u201d<\/p>\n

W\u00f6bb added: \u201cThe key message here is that an early booking saves the space. We now have lead times of six weeks (for rail bookings) and this could rise further next week.\u201d<\/p>\n