Terminal in Alsace launches first freight train to port of Antwerp

The tri-modal terminal in the port of Lauterbourg, part of the Ports of Strasbourg, deployed the first freight train to the port of Antwerp. The initiative sees the involvement of big industry players including MSC, Fret SNCF and Wascosa. MSC will provide the containers, Fret SNCF will take care of rail traction, while Wascosa will […]

Private investment reactivates French domestic rail freight service

Soprema, a French company specialising in waterproofing, roofing, soundproofing and thermal insulation, has invested 150,000 euros in re-activating a domestic rail freight service between Strasbourg and Rouen. Inaugurated last month and linking eastern and western France, the service will take 200-400 trucks off the road, reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 per cent […]

EU may break up DB Cargo due to losses

The European Union may break up DB Cargo due to the rail operator’s large losses, which have reached nearly 500 million euros. Company sources reported to Reuters that the EU may consider the figures and subsequent government support to be distorting the market. The Deutsche Bahn subsidiary incurred losses that were twice as high as […]

DB Cargo main beneficiary of Fret SNCF ‘discontinuity’

Labour unions at Fret SNCF have highlighted that the ‘discontinuity’ of the French state railways’ biggest rail freight subsidiary has played directly into the hands of its biggest rival – DB Cargo France. Under the terms of an agreement between France and the European Commission, in response to suspected illegal state aid to Fret SNCF, […]

Stagnant to stable outlook for French rail freight in 2024

After a difficult 2023, French rail freight is unlikely to fare much better this year, the head of a leading player in the sector has warned in an interview with RailFreight.com. “I think the market will be stagnant for three reasons. Firstly, there appears to be little sign that economic activity is picking up again, […]