GERMANY: The Protostellar joint venture of Hitachi Rail, MT Logistics, and DB Cargo has developed the cloud-based InGa-Z terminal operating system to improve efficiency at intermodal freight facilities, with financial support from the Federal Ministry for Transport.
The Intermodale Gate der Zukunft (’Intermodal Gate of the Future’) platform aims to digitise, simplify and accelerate processes to create seamless digital interfaces between freight forwarders, terminals and rail operators.
Hitachi says this can mean 50% less time spent on terminal check-in, a 70% reduction in manual data entry and one more loading unit per train.
The system has been in operation at Werra Kombi Terminal’s Philippsthal site in Hessen since July, and has attracted several potential adopters.
‘We’re proving that digitisation isn’t just theoretically possible – it delivers real results: faster, more precise, and more transparent processes – making rail more competitive’, said Yves Sterbak, Managing Director of Protostellar and Sales & Business Development director at Hitachi Rail in Germany.
Christoph Renschler of DB Cargo said ‘to increase rail’s market share in freight transport, we don’t need more barriers – we need smart, digital solutions like InGa-Z.’
