Vos Logistics is expanding its presence on the French market via a new Dourges-Vénissieux freight route with the help of VEGA’s R2L system. The system allows for the transfer of non-cranable silo-trailers from road to rail and vice versa. Vos Logistics is pragmatic, and a new route is already in the making.
On 11 April, Novatrans transported the first of Vos Logistics’ non-cranable silo-trailers on the Dourges-Vénissieux route. The service on the route will run on a daily basis in both directions.
The newly established service with the R2L system is “a novelty, because there are few solutions for tank trailers, which we transport on the route,” explains Berny Voortman, business development manager Europe of Vos Logistics. VEGA’s R2L system, which allows for the transfer of non-cranable silo-trailers between road and rail, was introduced last year.
A number of benefits
“We are transporting along the Dourges-Vénissieux route, because the centre of gravity of our network is the north-south axis,” Berny Voortman of Vos Logistics explains. Vos Logistics has branches in both the Benelux and Vénissieux. “We can reach our customers and offer a number of benefits.”
Voortman says that “the R2L system allows Vos Logistics to save a lot of kilometres on the road.” Not only is it a more environmentally friendly alternative to road transportation, but it also improves capacity. “We are taking 600 to 700 kilometres in distance off the road. Moreover, via rail we can transport 29 tonnes, by road we are limited to 25 tonnes.”
Further expansion
It is not the first time that Vos Logistics enters the French network. The company transports bulk and tank trailers on the Bettenbourg-Lyon route. It ships petrochemical goods, recycled plastic and minerals.
Unlike CargoBeamer, which reduced its presence in France earlier due to strikes, Vos Logistics is positive about its expansion in France. The company is not worried about strikes hindering operations, like in the case of CargoBeamer. “We have an existing network, a local structure in the Benelux and Vénissieux that serves as a backup. Moreover, Novatrans is a private operator,” says Voortman.
Consequently, Vos Logistics is looking to expand further. A new route to Marseille is in the making, once again in cooperation with Novatrans. “We also have customers there, for which we load goods. Moreover, there is a petrochemical industry and a port,” explains Voortman.
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