1. The EU Rail Freight Corridors - Present and Future
SEE Freight Logistics Conference
Plovdiv – 01 September 2016
Dr. Gerhard Troche
Senior Expert
Rail Freight and European Issues / EU Rail Freight Corridors
Railway Group KTH

2. Key challenges for rail freight (I)
A quality challenge:
Improving reliability and punctuality, i.a. through higher interoperability
A cost challenge:
Improving cost competitiveness by higher productivity and more efficient train operations, i.a. through improved and harmonised infrastructure standards
A service challenge:
Adding new added-value service features, allowing rail to (re-)enter into new / lost market segments
A political challenge:
Securing societal and political acceptance and support of rail freight

3. Key challenges for rail freight (II)
… and a 'European' challenge:
Achieving a truly Single European Area
= Eliminating borders for the users of the rail system
= Achieving a European market for rolling stock and infrastructure equipment
= A European (corridor) approach to infrastructure development and traffic management
= Developing cross-border rail services
= … and making them easily accessible

4. Development trends since 1990-ies
… in train operations:
increasingly European approach: RUs (incumbents and new entrants) operate in open access with own resources across borders
… in Infrastructure and Traffic Management:
continued national approach due to:
- functions being in the responsibility of national IMs
- rail networks being natural monopolies
- passenger traffic main user of the networks
(share of international traffic: freight: > 50%, growing
passenger: <5%, stable)

5. Lack of a Single European Rail Area - Impact on rail’s competitivness
Start
Destination
Distance
Cost
Road
Rail

6. Lack of a Single European Rail Area - Impact on rail’s competitivness
Border
Start
Destination
Distance
Cost
Road
Rail

7. Lack of a Single European Rail Area - Impact on rail’s competitivness
Start
Destination
Distance
Cost
Road
Rail
Border A
Border B
Border C

8. Legal basis of the RFC:
Regulation 913/2010 concerning a European Rail Network for Competitive Freight
9 November 2010 – entry into force
Principal Routes of the RFCs amended by Annex II of CEF-Regulation 1316/2013/EC
Geographical integrity of the original Principal Routes is maintained
Extensions in order to match the Core Network Corridors
All provisions of Regulation 913/2010 remain fully in force, incl. composition, rights, tasks and obligations of the RFC governance bodies

9. EU Rail Freight Corridors in 2015 Defined by Regulation (EU) 913/2010

10. General objectives of the RFCs
Reinforce cooperation among Rail Infrastructure Managers (and Member States)
Improved capacity and harmonised standard on Rail Freight Corridors
Provide rail freight services of good quality
Improved customer orientation

11. RFC Governance structure

12. Core Network infrastructure requirements in the context of the RFC
Requirements on the Core Network (Freight) according to Art 39(2a) of Reg. 1315/2013/EC (TEN-T Guidelines)
740m train length
22,5 t axle-load
100 km/h line speed
ERTMS
Electrification
To be achieved until 2030
RFCs should carry out studies for
the implementation of the requirements
(elegible for co-funding under the CEF)

13. RFCs: Achievements - examples (I)
Six RFCs operational since November 2013
All nine RFCs operational from November 2015
Setting up of Working Groups/Task Forces in the RFCs addressing specific issues raised by customers, such as:
Short-distance interoperability on border sections (language, vehicle authorisation, …)
Customs handling in border stations
Rules for buffer wagons in Dangerous Goods transport
Terms & Conditions for use of infrastructure …

14. RFCs: Achievements - examples (II)
Growing offer and use of dedicated capacity for international freight trains (Pre-Arranged Train Paths & Reserve Capacity)
Increased co-operation between different RFCs, aiming at harmonised solutions
Studies for implementation of improved infrastructure standards, e.g.
740m long trains
Improved loading gauges

15. Further developments of the RFC Network
Extension of RFC Nr 8 to Southern Poland and Prague in 2015
Letter of Intent for setting up of new RFC Nr 11 submitted to European Commission in March 2016
SI, HU, SK, PL
Initiative for setting up of a new Alpine-Westbalkan RFC Nr 10
AT, SI, HR, BG, (SRB)

16. New Amber RFC No. 11 First new RFC Connecting SI, HU, SK, PL
Serving existing and potential traffic flows
Improving port- hinterland connections
Prospect of improved rail freight across EU Eastern border

17. Pan-European Corridor X and future Alpine-Westbalkan RFC No. 10
Indicative scope of future RFC 10

18. OSJD Corridors
Two OSJD Rail Corridors linking China and EU directly.

19. of the Eastern Partnership Summit
Joint Declaration
of the Eastern Partnership Summit
(Riga, May 2015)
(…)
In the area of Transport, the Summit participants stress the importance of making transport links between the EU and Eastern European partners safer and more efficient, and of supporting the improvement of logistics systems, including motorways of the sea, and fostering cooperation between rail corridors.

20. Reference to Rail Freight Corridors in the MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING
on cooperation in technical, operational and commercial development of OSJD Rail Corridors
(signed on the OSJD Ministerial Meeting in June 2013)
"The Members of OSJD rail corridor No ____ (list of members), hereinafter referred to as Parties:
(…)
Recognizing the need of close cooperation with the international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, including governance bodies of already existing rail corridors, in development of international transport corridors in EuroAsian area
Have agreed as follows:
7. To seek close cooperation and, where appropriate, coordination of activities with international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, including governance bodies of already existing rail corridors, with the aim to develop international rail corridors in EuroAsian area. "

21. Reasons for evaluation and possible revision of the RFC-Regulation
RFCs entering into a new phase – from establishment to development
Experiences and feedback from sector stakeholders from the establishment phase and first years of operation
Changes in the legal environment
TEN-T Guidelines
CEF-Regulation
Recast
4th Railway Package

22. Possible future conceptual developments (I)
Examples of potential areas to be addressed
Co-operation between different RFCs (including Corridor- OSSs)  strengthened network approach
Scope and quality of capacity offer, including flexible products
Publication of capacity offer in a single place for all RFCs
Harmonised and improved customer interfaces (IT-tools)
Dual/multiple governance of corridor sections
Co-operation between RFCs and CNCs
Cooperation with other corridor concepts, such as OSJD Rail Corridors (developing the Europe-Asia axis)

23. Possible future conceptual developments (II)
Examples of potential areas to be addressed
Clarification of role of RFCs for deployment of ERTMS and TEN-T Minimum Infrastructure Requirements
Better involvement of terminals; terminal capacity offered via C-OSSs, inclusion in governance structure
Enhanced regulatory oversight
Short-distance interoperability
Content and structure of Corridor Information Documents
Last-mile issues

24. Possible future conceptual developments (III)
Examples of potential areas to be addressed
Improved coordination regarding capacity restrictions
Railway Advisory Groups and Authorised Applicants
Monitoring and reporting procedures
Decision-making procedures
Definitions and terminology …

25. Thank you for your attention !