CoolRail powered by Transfesa Logistics has taken another step towards consolidating rail transport as the key to sustainable logistics. Transfesa Logistics and Euro Pool System started collaboration on CoolRail routes to extend the service throughout Europe. The fresh produce rail route expands its network with Denmark.
The company has sent its first container full of fresh fruit and vegetables to Denmark, travelling all the way there by train from Almussafes (Valencia).
After this first successfully completed test run, the goal for the short and medium term is to make this a regular route. The initiative of using rail as the exclusive mode of transport in the supply chain aims to meet increasing demand from customers such as Coop Trading. This company supplies the main retail cooperatives in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden, all of which are involved in the project of CoolRail. The cooperative that received this first consignment to be sent 100 % by rail was Coop Denmark, who are very committed to environmental concerns and seek to supply products competitively but without polluting.
Competitive, environment-friendly delivery
The itinerary chosen for this consignment started from Almussafes (Valencia) and reached its final destination in Denmark after a single stop in Cologne to change trains.
The main benefits of this new route are the transit time of five days, which is very competitive, and savings of more than 70% in CO2 emissions compared to road transport. Moreover, the return trip is also economically feasible because the returning train carries empty pallets belonging to Euro Pool System.
Transfesa Logistics’ Key Account Manager, Pedro Ramos, says, “We have made great progress by consolidating CoolRail as the most sustainable and efficient distribution network for sending fresh products to the whole of Europe. Customers in Nordic countries are pleased to see rail transport at the heart of the supply chain. They are very concerned about protecting the environment and the world in which they operate and keen to find emission-free logistics solutions to contribute to the reduction of CO2”.
Ramos adds that this initiative amounts to an opportunity to promote the use of rail for goods transport throughout the European continent.