Sector Statement - Boosting International Rail Freight

The Rail Freight Corridors commit to act as service providers for the European economy, and to offer solutions for efficient and environmentally-friendly logistics across Europe. In accordance with Regulation 913/2010 establishing the corridors, the first six rail freight corridors were established in November 2013, followed by the remaining three in November 2015. All nine rail freight corridors are now operational . The focus of the work on corridors today has evolved from the initial phase of setting-up the corridors to identifying and executing important measures needed to improve the operational performance of its customers. 

The Rail Freight Corridors commit to fulfil their intended role of increasing international rail freight’s competitiveness, unlocking the huge growth potential for longer distance freight and promoting rail’s key role in a sustainable transport system. The improved marketability of the corridors is key to maintaining and winning over end-customers to the rail solution. The Rail Freight Corridors seek to improve the coordination between the 1435 mm network and the wider gauge networks for seamless European rail freight transport.

In this Sector Statement, the rail sector associations and their members (representing the interests of the shippers, freight forwarders, rail freight operators (RUs), intermodal operators, intermodal terminals, infrastructure managers (IMs), allocation bodies, rail freight corridors (RFCs), and rail equipment suppliers commit themselves to the aim of enhancing the competitiveness of the Rail Freight Corridors, and to improving the quality, reliability and efficiency of transporting goods across Europe.

The Sector Statement was elaborated in parallel and in close cooperation with the Rotterdam Ministerial Declaration, also available to download below.

To read the 2018 Progress Report on the Sector Statement, click here.