French Rail Leaders Urge Shift in Freight Mindset

At a recent event organized by Ville, Rail & Transports, two prominent figures in the French rail freight industry, Raphaël Doutrebente, CEO of Europorte, and Alexandre Gallo, CEO of DB Cargo France, emphasized the necessity for a fundamental change in the mindset of shippers and freight forwarders regarding rail freight. Their discussion highlighted the critical issues currently facing the industry, particularly the quality of the rail network.

Gallo pointed out that the perception of rail freight among shippers and freight forwarders often does not reflect its potential benefits. He argued that a shift in mindset is essential to fully leverage the advantages of rail transport, especially in light of the French government's recent initiatives aimed at enhancing rail infrastructure.

Earlier this month, the French government set ambitious performance targets for SNCF Réseau, the national rail infrastructure manager, focusing on both passenger and freight transport development until 2033. This initiative includes an unprecedented investment program aimed at regenerating and modernizing the rail network. Such investments are expected to improve service reliability and capacity, which are crucial for attracting more freight to rail.

Doutrebente echoed Gallo's sentiments, stressing that the rail freight sector must adapt to these changes to remain competitive. He noted that the modernization of the rail network will not only enhance operational efficiency but also contribute to sustainability goals by providing a greener alternative to road transport.

The call for a mindset shift comes at a time when the rail freight sector is under pressure to increase its market share against road transport. Both leaders believe that improved communication and collaboration between rail operators and freight stakeholders are essential to achieving this goal.

In conclusion, the discussions led by Doutrebente and Gallo reflect a growing recognition within the French rail freight industry of the need to evolve and adapt to new challenges and opportunities. The ambitious infrastructure plans set forth by the government could serve as a catalyst for this transformation, provided that shippers and freight forwarders are willing to embrace the potential of rail transport.