SBB Cargo has recorded a significant loss for the 2022 financial year. Caused by what it called ‘the continued challenging economic situation’ and the cessation of public sector Covid-related financial support, the business made a net loss of SFr187m, against a FY2021 profit of SFr1m. Traffic fell by almost 5% to 4 999 million tonne-km compared to the previous year. The company added that a decision from the Swiss government on whether to continue with loss-making wagonload traffic was ‘still pending’.
In the wake of a significant fall in traffic, Operail has revised its business model to focus on higher yield bulk cargo operations. ‘Freight transport by rail is a volume business — the transport of a small number of wagons is the most expensive. Therefore, Operail can unfortunately no longer ensure a constant readiness to transport small quantities between all stations open for freight transport in Estonia. In the future, we can offer optimal service to small groups of wagons if the client’s desired haulage can be combined with the transport of other goods’, the company said in late March.
The EU Agency for Railways has approved Vossloh Rolling Stock’s DE 18 Stage V centre-cab diesel locomotive for use on the Italian network. ‘Now that our powerful flagship locomotive has successfully positioned itself with Italian operators and is being used to provide a host of strategic services, we’re employing the latest engine technology to increase both the deployment radius and the versatility of the DE 18 for our customers’, said Bernd Hoppe, CEO of Vossloh Rolling Stock.
The German Federal Ministry for Digital & Transport has issued a grant worth €15m to support the further commercial development of the Helrom Trailer wagon design which has been used for intermodal transport between Düsseldorf and Wien since 2020. Wagon designer Helrom GmbH says its ‘market-ready and worldwide patented’ vehicle can carry any type of lorry trailer by rail ‘quickly and without loading terminals’.
Wagon supplier InnoFreight has launched the InnoTainer Coils Lite design for the transport of rolled coils and other semi-finished metal products at up to 80°C. A tarpaulin protects the loaded goods against environmental damage. This can be opened from both sides and operated by a single person. In combination with a 2×30 ft InnoWaggon, the wagon can carry a payload of up to 143 tonnes.
Norfolk Southern has appointed Yannik Thomas as Vice President Intermodal & Automotive Operations, while Stefan Loeb takes on the role of Vice President, First & Final Mile Markets.