transport logistic 2009: The recession – a short pause before rail freight transport really gets moving

The global economic crisis is also impacting on rail freight. For 2009, experts are putting the downturn in the freight business in Germany at around four percent. What medium- and long-term effects will this have? Politicians, representatives from industry associations, logistics professionals and freight forwarders will be coming together at transport logistic 2009 in Munich to analyze the current situation.

Between 12 and 15 May 2009 service providers and decision-makers in the transport and logistics sector will be gathering for the twelfth time at the International Exhibition for Logistics, Telematics and Transport. Messe München is expecting a large turn-out of international exhibitors in the rail freight section. On the open-air site and in the exhibition halls the leading manufacturers of rail vehicles, such as Alstom, Bombardier, Vossloh and VTG, will be presenting their latest models. Also represented at the fair will be the entire European rail network. Among the rail operators present are the Bulgarian Railway Company, CD Cargo of the Czech Republic, Deutsche Bahn, Grup Feroviar of Romania, MAV Cargo of Hungary, PKP Cargo of Poland, Rail Cargo Austria, SBB Cargo of Switzerland, Slovenian Railways and ZSSK Cargo of the Slovak Republic.

The participants in the rail freight section have much to discuss and debate at the moment. Although the prospects for the current year are clouded by the economic situation, last year the volume of freight moved by rail rose by 1.9 percent. For comparison, road freight rose during the same period by only 1.6 percent. This is also a sign that the deregulation in the rail industry is bearing fruit. In terms of performance, quality and price the railways have become more competitive, which means rail transport has become considerably more attractive as an alternative to moving goods by truck. This is also underlined by the fact that between 2003 and 2007 rail freight volumes in Germany rose from around 85 billion to 114 billion tonne-kilometres. At transport logistic, in the forum on 'New opportunities for the shipping industry in rail freight transport' (13 May, 15:30 to 17:30, Hall A6; organised by the Verband Deutscher Verkehrsunternehmen, VDV, and others), rail experts and company representatives will be discussing how the railways can be integrated into the modal split and how companies can exploit untapped potential.

As well as the effects of the crisis, another issue concerned with rail freight transport will be very much on the agenda at transport logistic 2009: And that is the necessity to stick to the goal of climate protection, regardless of what is happening in the economy. Over one fifth of all the CO2 emissions that are so harmful to the environment come from transport, and 90 percent of that comes from road and air transport. Other air pollutants are also produced to a great extent by transport: 20 percent of fine-particle emissions and as much as 60 percent and more of nitrogen oxide (NO2) emissions. The railways can help find a solution here – transport by rail generates only around one percent of all the greenhouse gases emitted in Germany. In freight transport a shift of just one percent from road to rail means a saving in carbon dioxide emissions of around 500,000 tonnes. However: Don´t economic crises lead inevitably to a realignment of transport and environmental priorities? This is the question that will be exercising minds at the forum on 'Energy efficiency and ecological rail technology for sustainable rail traffic – even in times of crisis?' (14 May, 13:00 – 15:00, Hall A4, organised by the VDB, Verband der Bahnindustrie in Deutschland). Here and in the exhibition halls, visitors are sure of a lively and interesting exchange of views within the sector.

transport logistic

The 12th International Exhibition for Logistics, Telematics and Transport takes place from 12 to 15 May 2009 at the New Munich Trade Fair Centre. transport logistic is the world´s biggest trade fair for the multi-facetted industry of moving goods by road, rail, water and air. The fair´s portfolio covers logistics and freight transport, telematics and in-company transport and material flow. Integrated in transport logistic 2009 is Air Cargo Europe, an exhibition and conference for the global air cargo business taking place for the fourth time. The extensive conference programme and the trade conferences, the 4th Air Cargo Europe and the 5th marilog for maritime logistics, provide an expert overview of new markets, trends and innovations in the international transport and logistics industry. transport logistic 2009 is expected to attract more than 1,600 exhibitors from over 55 countries. 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)
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 six subsidiaries in Europe and Asia and 66 foreign representatives covering 89 countries, MMI has a truly global network.

Messe München International
Messegelände
81823 München

Petra Gagel
Tel. (+49 89) 9 49-20244
Fax (+49 89) 9 49-20249
press@transportlogistic.de

This release was published on openPR.