Rhine-Alpine News

21.02.2022

DB Cargo is also struggling with the consequences of the storm

Freight depot, Source: Pixabay

Freight depot, Source: Pixabay

The series of severe storms in Europe last week also affected rail freight transport in Germany. As DB informed in its press blog, operations in the storm regions were fully suspended during the night to Saturday and the orderly stabling of goods trains in DB Cargo’s shunting and operating facilities was meant to speed up the restart of services. Damage to people and freight was also successfully avoided in this way. Backlog of freight trains was continuously cleared on all lines. Thereby, trains relevant to supply were prioritised. DB presumed that it will take several days before regular service is restored. Long-distance traffic started largely normally on 22 February. There are only a few storm-related restrictions on individual routes in northern Germany and in North-Rhine-Westphalia. See the press blog (in German) here: https://www.deutschebahn.com/de/Presseblog-zum-aktuellen-Sturmgeschehen–7289640

A new European Railway Pact

Sommet Ferroviaire Européen, Source: FS Italiane

Sommet Ferroviaire Européen, Source: FS Italiane

33 railway operators and infrastructure managers from 24 European countries signed the European Railway Pact. During the European Railway Summit event held on 21 February 2022, they committed themselves to improve the attractiveness of railways throughout the continent to make ecology rhyme with economy in Europe. Thus, to succeed in this challenge of the future, a massive European investment in the rail sector is now necessary. In the Pact, the railway players commit among others to reduce train-related greenhouse gas emissions by 30% by 2030 compared to 2015, to increase energy efficiency by 25% and to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050. See press article here: https://www.fsitaliane.it/content/dam/fsitaliane/Documents/sostenibilit%C3%A0/iniziative-per-l%27ambiente/EuropeanRailwaysPledgeWith_Signatures.pdf

Inland Waterway Transport position on the Fit for 55 package and the Energy Taxation Directive proposal

Barge on the Rhine, Source: Pixabay

Barge on the Rhine, Source: Pixabay

The European Inland Waterway Transport Platform (IWT) warns that the ‘Fit for 55 package’ might undermine the objectives of the EU Green Deal as further elaborated in the Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy and in NAIADES III. Whereas these policies and action plan are focusing on a modal shift towards IWT and rail, the ‘Fit for 55 package’ is not linked to these objectives and through certain measures – in particular those laid down in the proposed revision of the Energy Taxation Directive – might lead to a reverse modal shift. Alternative (near) zero emission energy resources are not yet widely available in the IWT sector. Therefore, maintaining an exemption on gasoil for inland navigation and incentivising alternative fuels in a reasonable transition period is being proposed by the IWT. In case the new tax cannot be avoided, all revenue resulting from the taxation of gasoil for inland navigation should be employed to support the sector in making the transition, as IWT states in its press release. See full press release here: https://www.inlandwaterwaytransport.eu/wp-content/uploads/IWT-position-on-Energy-Taxation-Directive_2022_02_18.pdf

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