Members of the European Parliament heard today practical evidence of how use of the European Modular System (EMS) truck combinations can improve the efficiency of combined transport and further contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

During the lunchtime debate hosted by Belgian Liberal MEP Philippe De Backer, key industry speakers presented first results of some of the EMS trials in combined transport both in Germany and The Netherlands where successful EMS combined transport has been ongoing for a number of years.

Wolfgang Thoma, CEO of Ansorge Logistik in Germany said: “Our trials using EMS in combined road-rail transport are showing positive results. Solutions exist to using these vehicle combinations in combined road/rail transport. Our personal experience and the results clearly show that we can reduce our carbon footprint by around 30%, by reduced fuel consumption, and reduce overall costs for the entire combined transport chain. Rarely does a win-win situation like this arise“.

Similarly André Pluimers, CEO of Bolk Transport demonstrated how EMS vehicles are used in combined road-inland waterway transport in the Netherlands. “EMS has a valuable role to play in improving the efficiency of other modes of transport, making them more viable, benefiting the consumer, the supplier and the environment.  

“Practical operational experience and government facilitated trails from The Netherlands, Denmark, and Germany have repeatedly demonstrated the advantages of using EMS including in combined transport. The EMS offers the road transport sector the opportunity to reduce its environmental impact at source as well as bringing improvements in the efficiency of the entire transport chain.

By using existing standardised modules, compatible with maritime, inland waterway and rail freight transport, the EMS paves the way for an enhanced interaction with other transport modes, thereby facilitating and driving the introduction of a modern and more inter-connected multi-modal pan-European transport network.

Notes to editor:

1.     Further information on the European Modular System including independent reports from recent EU Member States’ trials can be found on the EMS Forum website at www.modularsystem.eu

2.     For further information please contact Stuart Colley on +32 2 743 2584, GSM +32 476 049223, stuart.colley@iru.org