The 2015 edition of the Rail Freight Day took place on Friday 4th December in Vienna. Organised by the European Commission (DG MOVE), the event brought together more than one hundred delegates among stakeholders and actors from the rail sector to discuss the most compelling issues for rail freight in Europe.

Mr. Henrik Hololei, new Director-General of DG MOVE since September 2015, opened the session by calling for a strong European dimension for rail in which all the potential of rail freight is used, especially through the crucial development of Rail Freight Corridors capable of meeting market’s and customers’ needs.
Three roundtables had been set up in which Panellists were invited to debate and seek solutions for the most crucial challenges for the rail freight business from the operational, service and innovation perspective.

EIM – the Association representing the rail infrastructure managers in Europe – welcomes the outcome of the event, which triggered a very fruitful exchange on the key-role of rail freight for the completion of a Single European Transport Area and attainment of the White Paper’s ambitious targets.

Jernbaneverket (JBV) – Norway’s infrastructure manager and Member of EIM –, represented by Mr. Bjorn Kristiansen, joined the first roundtable focusing on how to solve the most urgent operational issues and improve the performance of rail freight.

Bjorn Kristiansen, JBV’s Traffic and Marketing Director, said: ”The share of rail remains very modest in the freight business compared to other modes. Too many technical and regulatory barriers still exist across Europe. Interoperability will be key to overcome the operational obstacles and foster the competitiveness of rail freight. Moreover, rail needs to seek more connections and interactions with the other modes of transport in order to be fully integrated in the freight mobility chain.”

Monika Heiming, EIM’s Executive Director, said: “Rail freight is vital for the future performance and well-being of the European economy. It has an essential place in securing continued competitiveness and business wealth creation through its part in an integrated supply chain. The completion of a Single European Transport Area becomes vital in order for rail freight to successfully catch its market opportunities and reach its maximum potential.”