Reducing road transport by CoolRail
CoolRail is the train connection for the transport of fresh products. It operates between the south and north of Europe.
In addition to the main route, which runs between Valencia and Rotterdam, new destinations now include the United Kingdom, the Nordic countries and Germany. Euro Pool System initiated CoolRail in 2019, and it has been operated by Transfesa logistics since 2020.
Its purpose is to transport fresh products in a more sustainable and efficient way, adding synergy of Euro Pool System by relocating trays back to the south for the next cycle. It is a responsible alternative that achieves a CO2 reduction of 70-90% in comparison with road transport. In 2021, 1,633 containers were transported by train, avoiding an equal number of trucks on the road. In 2022, we expect to expand the capacity of rail transport further, together with our supply chain partners.
In 2021, we witnessed a sharp increase in the flow to the United Kingdom, where CoolRail is currently running an average of five trains per week. This is great news, as rail transport helps us to reduce our carbon emissions. To this end, we have also started an exciting collaboration with LPR in switching to transport by rail. This will be an important focus area of our work in 2022.
In addition, we are developing multi-modal transportation, combining transportation by rail and water. In 2021, we started a route by boat from the Netherlands to the Nordics and from the Netherlands to Spain. This is another exciting opportunity to further reduce emissions by a sustainable and efficient distribution network of fresh products by rail or boat.
Transport optimisation
Both EPS and LPR have put a great deal of effort into the optimisation of logistics. At EPS, we minimise the required transport movements through strategic planning. Weekly, we calculate the optimal logistical flow in order to best balance the differences between supply and demand in the network.
Furthermore, on a strategic level we optimise our logistics network, so that the different regions become self-supporting in terms of washing capacity. In combination with unsorted returns (mixed trays), this is the optimal logistics model. Relocation transport is minimised while the
internal supply chain is shortened, and this reduces the number of transport kilometres and hence the emissions. Our on-site Return centres are an important tool to further optimise logistics and bring collaboration with our partners to the next level.
LPR makes use of innovative tooling in strategic planning to further optimise its transport flows across Europe. More efficient routings and higher loading rates of trucks lead to a reduction in travel distances, and hence CO 2 emissions.
Moreover, LPR further explores the use of green carriers and multi-modal transport options. On some of its trajectories, LPR makes use of rail transport or trucks that run on sustainable fuels such as biogas. Working together with transport partners is key to enlarging the impact in the supply chain and programmes such as Lean&Green and FRET21 further drive this.