Two areas dominate the European logistics markets in 2011. First is the growth in demand for green logistics supported by intermodal rail services. Second is the need to improve transportation infrastructure, including the addition of larger, modern terminals to supplant today’s smaller terminals to support the overall anticipated growth in traffic.
Now that we may be returning to some form of economic normalcy, customers are giving more weight to environmental in of the transport chain. Green logistics is a strong selling argument to manufacturers, exporters and importers whose own customers are demanding environmentally friendly transport solutions Intermodal rail services are replacing traditional highway transportation. In Poland, a major investment is under way, financed by the European Union, to upgrade rail and road infrastructure. Poland remains the strongest economy in Europe.
Intermodal rail transport has a clear environmental advantage over truck transport. It reduces the number of empty returns of containers required by truck transport. Extending the terminal network is essential to accommodating Poland’s burgeoning trade. Projects are under way to extend the existing terminal network. A strong Polish economy fosters good growth potential for intermodal traffic, but the lack of adequate terminal facilities hampers full utilization of the potential available.
Several operators provide intermodal rail service from the German ports and Rotterdam into Poland and then beyond to Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia. With Poland as the linchpin, this requires a solid infrastructure as well as smooth operations and impeccable customer service. Modern hubs also will meet the rapidly developing rail container services to Central Asia and Caucasus.