ELVIS and BVMW Warn of Overload in Road Freight Transport

In light of obvious bottlenecks in the German rail network, the European Cargo Alliance of International Forwarders AG (ELVIS) and the Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW) warn of new difficulties for the already strained supply chains. There is a risk of overloading road freight transport if more goods transport is shifted to the road due to capacity failures on the rail, the associations stated together in Berlin.

(Alzenau/Berlin) “Rail freight transport is essential for stable and sustainable supply chains in Germany. It not only plays a key role in achieving climate goals in the transport sector but also significantly helps relieve medium-sized road logistics companies,” said Markus Jerger, Chairman of the Federal Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (BVMW). “A holistic logistics approach must consider both road and rail together. The dilapidated and overloaded rail network in Germany has already forced hundreds of freight trains temporarily onto the sidelines in recent weeks. It is hard to understand that rail freight transport is now being completely stalled due to obviously poor construction site management.” The interconnection of transport modes is becoming increasingly difficult. Jerger: “Another blow to the strained supply chains, a true disaster for the economy – especially for small and medium-sized enterprises.”

Reached Economic Limits

Additionally, Nikolja Grabowski, Board Member of ELVIS AG, explains: “Even today, road logistics companies are facing various challenges such as the ongoing driver shortage, which is pushing them economically to their limits. At the same time, the situation regarding freight capacities is extremely tense. If the chaos in rail transport continues to fuel the demand for road transport capacities, the situation could worsen.” Much more than with additional transport orders, medium-sized forwarders and carriers benefit from reasonable pricing. Furthermore, it is essential to finally design low-threshold offers that sensibly combine rail and road freight transport. “Otherwise,” Grabowski says, “the question is ultimately no longer at what price, but whether transport can be carried out at all.”

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