The International Union for Road – Rail Combined Transport (UIRR) and the Rail Freight Group (RFG) announced a new collaboration to further promote the growth of road-rail combined transport. The organizations have signed a Memorandum of Understanding which will enable them to work more closely together on areas of common interest, and share relevant information across their respective memberships.
UIRR is the industry association for Combined Transport based in Brussels and it works to promote the use of combined transport through improving quality and performance of services, achieving a fair, mode neutral regulatory environment and by continuously enhancing intermodal transport. RFG is the representative body for rail freight in the UK, and it works to increase the volume of goods moved by rail by influencing policy, bringing businesses together and promoting rail freight. RFG recognises that a continuously increasing portion of rail freight comes from intermodal transport.
Together the two organizations will work to promote areas of common interest and ensure that their member businesses have access to information and support in promoting combined transport. RFG will also help UIRR promote the take up of the ILU-Code to its members in the UK.
UIRR President, Ralf-Charley Schultze stated ‘The United Kingdom is one of four regions of Europe with an above average growth potential for combined transport. Thanks to the Channel Tunnel, using railway forwarding on the long sections of the journey, the lowest carbon footprint version of combined transport is possible not only on domestic relations but also to and from the continent. UIRR is committed to catalyse the sector helping it to achieve its potential.’
Maggie Simpson, Director General RFG said ‘We are delighted to be working more closely with UIRR in promoting road-rail combined transport in the UK and between the UK and mainland Europe. As the UK heads towards Brexit, our vital links with partners across Europe becomes ever more important, and this collaboration will help our members grow their businesses and improve the quality of combined transport.’
