CER urges the EU to spice up rail’s position in ports, supporting local weather objectives, strategic autonomy, and freight effectivity.
The Neighborhood of European Railway and Infrastructure Corporations (CER) has issued a sector place paper urging the European Fee to position rail on the core of the forthcoming European Port Technique. CER argues that enhancing rail integration in European ports is crucial for strengthening connectivity, boosting financial competitiveness, and reaching EU local weather objectives.
As a part of a coverage initiative at present open for suggestions, the European Fee goals to create a long-term technique to boost the competitiveness and resilience of European ports. CER highlights that ports are vital entry factors to world commerce and should be embedded inside a contemporary, multimodal, and climate-conscious logistics system through which rail performs a central position.
Regardless of its benefits, rail’s modal share of land site visitors at main European ports stays low. Ports like Rotterdam, Antwerp-Bruges, and Valencia register rail shares beneath 10%, whereas Hamburg and Bremerhaven showcase the probabilities of higher rail integration, with rail accounting for over 30% and 50% respectively.
CER is asking on the EU to undertake an bold benchmark: a minimal 30% rail modal share at European ports.
Backed by latest EU-funded research, CER argues that rail outperforms highway transport in emissions discount and financial return, even underneath situations the place trucking turns into considerably cleaner. Each €1 invested in environment friendly logistics infrastructure yields €5 in societal worth. In keeping with CER, rail-port connectivity helps the EU Inexperienced Deal, strengthens provide chains, and enhances Europe’s competitiveness and sovereignty.
To attain these objectives, CER outlines a number of suggestions:
- Put money into rail-port infrastructure, akin to 740-metre tracks and ship-to-rail switch methods;
- Combine rail concerns into port enlargement plans to forestall future constraints;
- Speed up implementation of European Transport Corridors (ETCs) and bolster hinterland rail hyperlinks;
- Develop rail-road terminals alongside key commerce routes;
- Collaborate with non-EU international locations to strengthen flows by strategic ports like Piraeus and Thessaloniki;
- Decrease port-related rail prices by competitors and focused help;
- Revise the Mixed Transport Directive to encourage modal shift and cut back intermodal prices.
CER additionally underscores the strategic significance of sustaining EU management over vital port belongings. With growing geopolitical uncertainty and commerce pressures, European sovereignty requires diversified provide routes, dependable rail infrastructure, and dual-use functionality for each civilian and navy logistics.
The organisation additionally requires sturdy funding within the subsequent Multiannual Monetary Framework (2028–2034). This features a proposed EUR 100 billion envelope by the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) to finance port rail integration and infrastructure upgrades.
CER Government Director Alberto Mazzola said: “The European Port Technique should dedicate a major place to rail. It’s not only a matter of effectivity, it’s a strategic crucial for Europe’s inexperienced, safe, and aggressive future. Investing in port-rail connectivity is investing within the resilience and sovereignty of the Union. CER members stand able to work with EU establishments to assist form and implement this technique. The battle for revitalised European ports will probably be fought on land and rail is central to profitable it.”
