At a recent event organized by the trade publication Ville, Rail & Transports (VRT), Raphaël Doutrebente, chairman and CEO of Europorte, and Alexandre Gallo, head of Fret SNCF, collectively stressed the importance of encouraging shippers and freight forwarders to adopt a more favorable view of rail freight. Their discussions centered on the necessity of shifting the prevailing mindset within the logistics sector, which often prioritizes road transport.
The executives underscored the significant environmental advantages of rail over other modes, particularly road transport, in reducing carbon emissions. They also pointed to the potential for rail to offer competitive economic benefits and improve overall supply chain resilience. The call for a mindset change is rooted in the broader European push towards decarbonization and the need for more sustainable logistics practices.
For freight forwarders and operations managers, this initiative suggests a growing emphasis on integrating rail solutions into their service offerings. While immediate rate or capacity impacts are not detailed, a successful shift in mindset could lead to increased demand for rail services, potentially influencing routing decisions and requiring forwarders to enhance their expertise in intermodal solutions. It also implies a need for greater collaboration between rail operators and forwarders to streamline processes and improve service reliability.
Moving forward, the French rail industry aims to continue advocating for policy support and infrastructure investments that make rail freight a more attractive and viable option for a wider range of cargo. This includes efforts to improve rail network efficiency and address any existing bottlenecks that might deter potential users.
