INTERNATIONAL joint venture freight operator NDX is to be wound up, following the transfer of its operations to German Railway’s intermodal subsidiary Transfracht International (TFGI) on September 1. NDX was set up in 1996, with DB holding a 50% stake, Netherlands Railways 25% and CSX 25%. It launched its first service in January 1997 using chartered rolling stock. NDX attempted to secure its foothold in the European market by attractive pricing, but TFGI Managing Director Manfred Riess said on August 20 that he would not be able to keep the same pricing policy for NDX customers in 1999.

TFGI will integrate NDX routes into its own network: a twice-daily Rotterdam - Antwerpen shuttle, a thrice-weekly Rotterdam - München shuttle, and a twice-weekly train between Rotterdam and Barcelona. The Hamburg - Milano train ceased to run at the end of July. TFGI says its traffic will increase by 100000 TEU a year as a result of the takeover.

NDX offices in Amsterdam, München, Hamburg and Antwerpen will close, but TFGI will retain the office in Barcelona.

Riess said that the NDX takeover was not related to the June 23 announcement about the merger of DB Cargo and NS Cargo to form Rail Cargo Europe. However, after that announcement CSX decided to pull out of NDX.

In 1997 TFGI carried 702000 TEU and earned revenue of DM350m. Riess expects to carry 800 000 TEU during 1998. o

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