Transmec Group is investing six million Euros in the expansion of its 600-strong intermodal fleet and launching new pan-European rail freight services to meet growing demand.

The transport and logistics operator, which operates throughout the continent and beyond, is to buy 160 Huckepack trailers, 100 swap bodies and 40 box containers for moving hanging garments. In addition to increasing the capacity and frequency of existing routes, the fleet will also serve a new link between Romania and Germany.

Enhanced

Launching in September, the each-way service will operate twice a week between Transmec’s private terminal at Oradea and Duisberg in Germany’s Ruhr region. Existing intermodal operations will also be enhanced, with the introduction of a third weekly service between Oradea and Piacenza, Italy, and a regular, daily connection between Italy and the UK, via the Port of Zeebrugge. Collection and forward delivery services are provided via Transmec’s European branch network which stretches from Moscow to Madrid, with group headquarters in Modena, Italy.

Danilo Montecchi, group CEO, explained that the investment had been driven by increasing demand and specific growth in the fashion sector with which Transmec has a long-standing association. “Providing direct connections between eastern, southern, central and northern Europe, our intermodal services offer a compelling alternative to road with differences in transit times of just 24 hours,” he said.

‘Meet targets’

“Cost-effective and offering high levels of security, rail is also environmentally friendly, helping customers to meet targets for reducing CO2 emissions.”

Freight volumes carried by the company’s trains from Transmec’s own terminal in Romania to Italy and the UK have increased by 33 per cent in the past year alone, while volumes from Italy to the UK and Belgium have increased by 30 per cent.