CargoBeamer launches new connection between Cologne and Sète

The logistics service provider CargoBeamer has launched a new connection for unaccompanied rail transport of semi-trailers. Since March, the leading intermodal operator has been operating a new line between Cologne in western Germany and Sète in southern France, which is served with two round trips per week. In addition to semi-trailers, swap bodies and containers can also be transported.

(Leipzig/Cologne/Sète) Together with the KV service provider primeRail, CargoBeamer acts as the operator of the trains and is responsible for their planning and scheduling. The sole customer of the service is the Danish shipping and logistics company DFDS, which allows CargoBeamer to operate its first connection exclusively for a customer.

The allocation of slots on the trains is managed by DFDS. Each train can transport 38 trailers on T3000 type wagons. From Sète, there is also the option to extend the transport via ferry connection across the Mediterranean to Yalova in Turkey. The French company Europorte has been won as a partner for the traction of the trains between France and Germany. Europorte is part of the Getlink Group, which also owns the Eurotunnel, providing the only rail connection between France and the United Kingdom. After CargoBeamer and Getlink announced a partnership for unaccompanied rail transport of semi-trailers between Calais (FR) and Ashford (UK) in September 2021, the collaboration between the two companies is now being expanded with the addition of the Cologne – Sète connection.

CO2 emissions reduced by 85% compared to road transport

With the new service, CargoBeamer, together with its partners, enables environmentally friendly freight transport by rail on another line. Compared to road transport, the CO2 emissions emitted during the transport of each semi-trailer are reduced by around 85%. As a result, a saving of 45,000 kg of greenhouse gases is achieved per train, further proving that rail is the transport mode of the future on the way to climate-friendly logistics. In addition, the unaccompanied transport of semi-trailers, where drivers and tractors do not travel on the train, also helps alleviate the rapidly increasing shortage of truck drivers in Europe.

Further expanding the portfolio

Boris Timm, Chief Operating Officer of CargoBeamer, says: “We are very pleased to add another line to the CargoBeamer network with the Cologne – Sète connection. With the service tailored specifically to the customer requirements of DFDS, we can further expand our portfolio while sending a strong signal to the market about how flexible our rail services can be. By partnering with Europorte, we are now collaborating with three of the largest traction companies in France and are continuously working together to create new and environmentally friendly transport lines by rail as the transport mode of the future.”

Photo: © CargoBeamer