Gruber Logistics has been increasing the frequency of trains between Verona and Leipzig in eastern Germany since the beginning of the year, doubling available capacity. In addition to combined road-rail transport, Gruber intends to promote modal shift to rail in the future through its participation in the European research project ESEP4Freight. 

Logistics company Gruber Logistics is betting on rail, under pressure from customer demand. To this end, the German carrier has announced a doubling of its capacity on the Germany/Italy route, and its participation in a European research project aimed at advancing the modal shift of flows within member countries.

Customer-driven demand

The company clarified its position on multimodal transport with two announcements: firstly, an increase in the daily frequency of its rail link between Verona in Italy, and Leipzig in eastern Germany, since the beginning of the year, with a doubling of available capacity.

"Our customers' demand for intermodal services, particularly on the Brenner Pass route between Italy and Austria, continues to grow, despite the challenges," explains Martin Gruber, Managing Director of Gruber Logistics. Thanks to our strengthened rail link between Germany and Italy, we can now meet this demand."

Gruber Logistics has also announced its participation in the European research project ESEP4Freight, funded to the tune of 1.3 million euros by Europe's Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail) and coordinated by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm. Nine partners from five European countries are involved in this research project, including Gruber Technologics, the Polytechnic University of Madrid, Tenalach Consulting...

As a pioneer in decarbonization, we are investing in innovative transport routes and propulsion systems to make an active contribution to the sustainable transformation of the sector," explains Martin Gruber. Modal shift is an essential part of our strategy. Gruber Logistics' participation in research projects such as ESEP4Freight underlines our ongoing commitment to greater sustainability in the supply chain."

An interactive map of European infrastructure

The ESEP4Freight research consortium is working on three main objectives over a 24-month period. Firstly, the development of web-based services. These include an interactive map of the European rail freight infrastructure, CO2 calculators and a contractual toolbox.

The research project partners will also draw up recommendations for adapting the current contractual and legal framework for intermodal transport to the needs of the various players in the supply chain. Finally, the partners plan to involve a large number of players in the European logistics market to identify their information needs, and to test and disseminate the results of ESEP4Feight.

Nathalie Versieux, correspondante à Berlin