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소개
Brittany Ferries has taken a significant step in enhancing freight transportation by inaugurating a new railway line connecting Cherbourg with Bayonne, marking a pivotal development in the logistics realm.Overview of the New Rail Line
The newly established rail line is an exciting milestone for Brittany Ferries, providing transport operators and logistics entities the opportunity to send trailers via both rail and sea to the United Kingdom and Ireland without needing an accompanying driver.A Unique Service: Ro-Ro-Rail
This innovative service, referred to as ro-ro-rail, enables a trailer to journey across the English Channel on a roll-on/roll-off ferry continuously after transitioning from the French rail network. The service boasts advantages such as reduced transit time, decreased costs, and an impressive drop in environmental impact. It responds to the rising demand for transporting unaccompanied freight.Operational Logistics of Ro-Ro-Rail
When utilizing the ro-ro-rail service, trailers are dropped off at the Mouguerre-Bayonne railway terminal, requiring no additional attention from the sender until they reach their final destination, whether in Portsmouth, Poole, or Rosslare.The transportation of trailers by rail is facilitated by MODALOHR wagons, each designed to accommodate two trailers. These wagons feature pioneering “pivoting pockets” that rotate up to 45 degrees, allowing seamless access for the trailer and its tractor. After loading, the tractor can detach, and the pockets revert to their original position, making the train ready for departure.
The Current State of Operations
Presently, the service operates with two trains, featuring 18 wagons each, which collectively transport 36 trailers per trip across the SNCF Réseau rail network. Since its launch last June, there has been a notable surge in interest from both large and small enterprises alike.Future Expansion Plans
Brittany Ferries anticipates increasing the number of services offered from four to five in both directions by year’s end, aiming for a daily round trip by 2026. This development aligns with the French Government’s aspiration to modernize and decarbonize freight transportation and enhance multi-modal transport networks.Environmental and Economic Benefits
Shifting freight off the roads presents numerous benefits. Firstly, the environmental impact is profound. Brittany Ferries estimates a reduction of one ton of CO2 emissions for every trailer transported by rail, compared to highway transport, which also leads to less strain on trucks and trailers.With the potential to eliminate 25,000 heavy-duty vehicles from French roads, this initiative could significantly lower the risk of accidents and enhance road safety.
Optimizing Railway Infrastructure
Proposed improvements to railway lines and the expansion of tunnels will likely pave the way for even more efficient rail routes and the adoption of environmentally friendly electric trains moving forward.물류 영향
The introduction of this multi-modal service may fundamentally shift logistics strategies for many companies. As the demand for eco-friendly transport solutions grows, Brittany Ferries exemplifies how logistics can evolve to meet modern requirements.Frédéric Pouget, Brittany Ferries’ director of ports and operations, emphasized that this inclusion of railway services stems from the natural evolution of their 53-year history, acknowledging a distinct uptick in unaccompanied freight transport. “We are responding to this demand by expanding services across the Atlantic Arc along the western-length of France, offering the most eco-friendly and efficient way to move goods,” he stated.