GERMANY: The SmartRail Logistics joint venture of LIT Speditions and Captrain Deutschland began delivering automotive components to Volkswagen’s factory at Emden in Niedersachsen on June 1.
The components come from suppliers in southern and central Germany, the Czech Republic and Poland. Shipments are consolidated at Dresden for delivery to Emden by train.
SmartRail Logistics has acquired 220 swap bodies and three InnovaTrain ContainerMovers to handle the traffic, which previously went by road. The three trains per week are hauled by Bombardier Traxx Class 187 electric locomotives with last-mile engines, and eliminate around 100 lorry trips per week.
Captrain Deutschland Managing Director Jérôme Méline said the SmartRail Logistics joint venture would reduce the number of participants and interfaces in Volkswagen’s transport chain, while improving sustainability.
