(openPR) - On 1 January 2007 the rail freight services market across Europe was opened up to competition. European transport policymakers are hoping this will create a more competitive situation and help further expand the market share of rail freight in the transport network. Policymakers, associations, logistics professionals and freight forwarders will be reviewing progress so far at transport logistic 2007 in Munich.

Between 12 and 15 June 2007 service-providers and decision-makers in the transport and logistics sector will be coming together for the eleventh time at the International Trade Fair for Logistics, Telematics and Transport – transport logistic 2007. In view of the current debate on climate protection and the tremendous increase in road transport which is leading to capacity shortages, European rail freight will be one of the big themes at the fair. 100 private and state-run railway companies will be exhibiting at transport logistic 2007, a turn-out that guarantees representation of virtually the entire rail network of Europe. (These exhibitors include: SBB Cargo from Switzerland, PKP Cargo from Poland, VR Cargo from Finland, Rail Cargo Austria from Austria, TrenItalia from Italy, Renfe from Spain, CNCF Fret from France, Russian Railways from Russia and Deutsche Bahn of Germany).
Following a sharp decline in rail freight volumes in the EU through until the 1990s, in favour of transport by road, the European Commission decided to introduce a programme of incentives to encourage more freight back onto the railways. Deregulation and harmonisation are the twin prongs in this campaign to step up competition. In other words opening up the rail networks and removing access restrictions to the rail systems in all member states of the European Union. It was first necessary to have the same standards across all rail systems in the member states. For most countries had protected their formerly state-owned railways with almost insurmountable administrative, operational and technical obstacles. Companies who wanted to offer cross-border transports had to invest a lot of money in solving the problems associated with different power systems, gauges and control and safety systems. In addition country-specific regulations and running permits led to long waiting times at the borders.
Since 1991 the transport policymakers in Europe have been gradually removing these barriers. The first successes can now be seen: in Germany there is a noticeable trend towards greater transport distances and more cross-border transports on the railways. In 2006 transport volumes on the railways topped the 100 billion tonne mark for the first time ever, which was a rise of 10.8 percent over the previous year.
So, how do things look now, six months after full deregulation of the European market in rail freight? Has deregulation really brought about an increase in rail transport? And what wishes do the logistics companies have of a sustainable transport policy? These and other questions will be explored by participants in an event organised by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies (CER) on 12 June from 3.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. in Forum III in Hall C4. Following on from the keynote speeches, given by Jörg Hennerkes, Secretary of State in the German Federal Ministry of Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, and Olaf Krüger, Senior Vice President Kühne + Nagel (AG Co.), there will be a panel discussion with representatives from leading companies in the sector.
In another forum at transport logistic 2007 the Verband der Bahnindustrie in Deutschland e.V. (railway industry association) will be focusing on European infrastructure projects. Entitled ‘New Infrastructure for European Rail Freight Traffic’, this event starts at 10 a.m. on 15 June, in Conference Room B52.
In addition the Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen e.V. (association of German transport companies) is putting on two workshops on rail transport. The first, entitled ‘Rail Operators, Freight Forwarders, Shippers: New Perspectives in International Rail Freight Transport’ takes place on 13 June starting at 3.30 p.m. in Forum III, Hall C4. The second, entitled ‘Incentives to Expand the Use of Company Sidings – Current Status and Practical Possibilities’, taking place on 14 June at 1 p.m., in Conference Room B52, is a chance for participants to exchange experience and opinions.
Outside of these events the trade fair is also offering an opportunity to exchange views on the development of rail transport in Europe, at the stands of 50 companies involved in intermodal transport, 50 rail-service companies and over 30 manufacturers of vehicles for rail transport.
Further information: www.transportlogistic.de

About transport logistic
The 11th international trade fair for logistics, telematics and transport (12 to 15 June 2007 in Munich) presents the whole spectrum of the transport and logistics industry – telematics, in-company transport and material flow, logistics and freight transport. The fair aims to be a practical forum for information gathering and exchange in the diversely structured field of transporting freight – by road, rail, water and air. The visitor target groups of the fair are service-providers and decision-makers from the transport business, from industry, trade associations and freight logistics. In 2005 transport logistic attracted 1,333 exhibitors and around 40,000 visitors from a total of 103 countries. Over 1,570 exhibitors are expected to take part in transport logistic 2007. The statistics for the fair are independently audited on behalf of the Gesellschaft zur Freiwilligen Kontrolle von Messe- und Ausstellungszahlen (FKM), a society for the voluntary control of fair and exhibition statistics.

Messe München International (MMI) is one of the world´s leading trade-fair organisations. It organises around 40 trade fairs for capital and consumer goods, and new technology. Over 30,000 exhibitors from more than 100 countries, and over two million visitors from more than 200 countries take part each year in the trade fairs in Munich. In addition, MMI organises trade fairs in Asia, Russia, the Middle East and in South America. With four subsidiaries in Europe and Asia and 66 foreign representatives covering 89 countries, MMI has a truly global network.

Petra Gagel
Tel.: 49 89 / 9 49-20244, Fax: 49 89 / 9 49-20249
E-mail: petra.gagel@messe-muenchen.de
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