Via Rotterdam to Munich: trailers now transported by rail

For OLG, a supplier of wood products, garage doors and other long goods, and logistics service provider Bos Dynamics, the challenge was clear: how could transport to and from Southern Germany be organised more efficiently without compromising on reliability? ‘We are constantly looking at ways to make our supply chain smarter and more sustainable,’ says Jelle Poldervaart, Site Manager at OLG. ‘By working with Bos Dynamics, HPEI and RSC, we can organise our freight flows more efficiently while significantly reducing our carbon footprint.’

The partners found a solution in the Bayern Express, an existing rail connection between Rotterdam and Munich. Trailers are delivered by truck to Rail Service Center Rotterdam (RSC Rotterdam), before being transported by rail to Southern Germany and distributed onwards by road to their final destinations. The return journey also follows the same corridor. The service is provided by train operator Hutchison Port Europe intermodal (HPEI). By shifting a significant part of the route from road to rail, the solution reduces both road mileage and CO₂ emissions.

The power of existing hinterland connections

The solution did not require any new infrastructure. The main challenge lay in organising the supply chain and coordinating processes between the shipper, carrier, terminal and rail operator. Gilbert Bal, Business Manager at the Port of Rotterdam Authority: ‘That is where Rotterdam’s strength lies. The port has an extensive network of rail connections to economic centres across Europe. This enables companies to connect relatively easily to existing hinterland corridors and integrate intermodal solutions into their supply chains.’

The connection to Munich demonstrates how goods can be transported efficiently to Southern Germany and beyond via Rotterdam. For companies operating on this corridor, it offers tangible opportunities to future-proof their logistics operations.

Tailoring operational processes

The transition to rail transport did not happen overnight. Operational processes had to be established, logistics flows coordinated, and the rail connection integrated into the existing supply chain. Together, the parties developed a process that prevents delays and ensures trailers can be loaded onto the trains. This careful preparation ensured that the rail service was fully operational from the outset.

Ready for further growth

In the start-up phase, we are working with a pool of ten trailers. Every week, four trailers leave Rotterdam for Munich, and four trailers return to the Netherlands. If the positive results continue, the parties involved intend to scale up the operation. ‘For shippers and transport companies operating in the European market that currently transport trailers by road, this practical case illustrates that there are other viable options to transporting trailers by road,’ says Peter Schilte, Sales/Customer Service at RSC Rotterdam. ‘At present, only crane-liftable trailers are transported to Munich by shuttle. However, if shippers or transport companies wish to transport non-crane-liftable trailers by shuttle in the future, we would certainly be open to discussing that.’ By using existing rail connections, companies can reduce their dependence on road transport, keep costs under control and support their sustainability ambitions.

The project was made possible through close collaboration between OLG, Bos Dynamics, HPEI and RSC Rotterdam. Joint Corridors Off-Road in South Holland, supported by the Province of South Holland, also contributed to the project. The collaboration demonstrates that transporting trailers by rail via Rotterdam is not merely a theoretical possibility but a working solution in practice. As such, this case offers valuable insights for organisations looking to organise their freight flows more efficiently while making the most of the connections between Rotterdam and the European hinterland.