A few weeks ago, CargoBeamer, a logistics company from Germany tested a new route between Marseille and Calais. This route could become the latest addition to their network. CargoBeamer operates in what is known as the intermodal transport system sector as it combines road and rail transport.
The logistic company currently operates routes between Domodossola and Kaldenkirchen, Domodossola and Calais/Ashford, Perpignan and Calais/Ashford, and Perpignan and Kaldenkirchen.
According to CargoBeamer, its technology could help reduce freight emissions by 85% and save up to 19,000 tons of CO2 every year. Furthermore, the transport industry is facing driver shortages and cargo-to-train solutions could be crucial to solving that.
Moving semi-trailers to trains is however not so special. Several companies have been doing that for a while. So what does make CargoBeamer special?
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Normally trucks around Europe are not equipped with cranes. Other times the semi-trailers are “non craneble”. Thus making it extra difficult – if not impossible – to move semi-trailers to trains unless there are cranes at the cargo train terminal.
CargoBeamer technology allows truck drivers to get to the cargo terminal and leave their semi-trailers there. CargoBeamer will then move those to trains without the need for a crane. Thanks to its technology the semi-trailer moves horizontally, almost seamlessly from the terminal to the train.
Another advantage of CargoBeamer is that it is extremely quick. The transshipment of a single semi-trailer to a train in a CargoBeamer-Terminal takes around 20 minutes. Loading a whole train could just take 100 minutes. Crane terminals need between four and six hours for the same process.
CargoBeamer currently operates its terminals in Calais and Domodossola. In Perpignan and Kaldenkirchen it works with partner organizations. There are however big plans ahead: the company would like to open 59 routes and terminals by 2032.
The European freight rail has seen a decline in the last 70 years, however, the European Union wants to reverse this as part of the Rebuild Europe plan. Could CargoBeamer play a major role in this? We certainly think so.
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by Impakter.com columnists are their own, not those of Impakter.com. In the Featured Photo: A semi-trailer truck. Photo credit: Unsplash.
