Moving fresh from road to rail and to water
Challenges and goals for rail freight
The rail freight sector faces significant challenges. Beyond the autonomous growth projected from 40–45 million tons today to 60–77 million tons by 2050, and the fresh food volume growth of 15-20% per year, the European Commission’s Green Deal sets ambitious targets: a 50% increase in rail freight volumes by 2030 (compared to 2015) and a doubling by 2050.
Let’s shift to clean kilometres
1. Living Labs: The First Step
Short-term (2024-2025): By the end of 2025, all stakeholders will collaborate to optimize key operational aspects such as schedules, bottlenecks, and the involvement of terminals and carriers. All of this aims to get more fresh produce on the rails. Throughout the process, the performance of the train will be continuously analyzed to resolve potential short-term challenges and improve reliability and lead time. This initial phase will pave the way for increased volumes of fresh goods transported by rail.
Medium-term (2026 and beyond): From 2026 onwards, the focus will shift to establishing an optimal and stable train schedule, fully integrated into the international annual timetable. Close cooperation with railway undertakings and scheduling experts will ensure a high-quality, legally compliant service. Long-term engagement from all partners will be essential to further enhance and maintain the reliability of Freshrail over time.
2. Cross-Border Federated Data Sharing
Cross-border digitalization is essential for efficient, sustainable, and interoperable rail transport in Europe. Federated data sharing requires an EU-wide governance framework based on GDPR, multilateral agreements supported by ERA, and AI-driven tools for predictive maintenance and capacity optimization. Unified data sharing will address bottlenecks, improve efficiency, and strengthen the role of rail in achieving EU climate goals.
3. "Fresh on Track" Route Guide
Drawing on the insights gained from the Living Labs and Freshrail operations, we will develop a “Fresh on Track” guide. This comprehensive resource will assist both railway and non-railway companies in establishing successful fresh goods transport services. The guide will provide valuable insights into scheduling, operational strategies, and risk mitigation for launching a new rail connection.
Finally, it is important to think about the supply chain of the entire food chain, from production to consumption.
Sustainable transport contributes to a more sustainable food system that contributes to the health of both the consumer and the planet, and helps to reduce our reliance on unsustainable methods and reduce our CO2 footprint.
For years, the Dutch national government and local authorities and the EU have advocated for a modal shift from road to rail and water freight transport. However, practical barriers continue to hinder this transition, even for sectors keen on rail, such as fresh produce logistics. We call for actionable policy changes, including infrastructure adaptation, improved rail access, and competitive usage fees. These measures are vital to reduce road congestion (especially in seaports and the hinterland and especially in the Province of South Holland), achieving climate goals and preparing the Netherlands for Modal Shift: a sustainable future for rail freight – and sea freight and thus transport by rail and water.
