Webinar Recap: The Role of Combined Transport During a Fuel Crisis

Why It Matters

Combined transport offers a more fuel‑independent logistics alternative, helping European supply chains stay operational amid volatile energy markets. Its expanding infrastructure reduces risk for shippers and supports sustainability goals.

Key Takeaways

• Combined transport reduces reliance on fossil fuels during crises
• Europe's renewable electricity powers locomotives and electric trucks
• Terminal network has doubled since the 1970s, expanding capacity
• Diesel shunters remain essential where ports lack electrification

Pulse Analysis

The fuel crunch sweeping Europe has forced logistics planners to reassess modal choices, and combined transport is emerging as a strategic fallback. By linking rail, road, and maritime legs, intermodal corridors shift a sizable share of freight onto electrified rails and low‑emission trucks. This reduces exposure to volatile oil prices and aligns with corporate carbon‑reduction targets, making it an attractive option for manufacturers and retailers seeking continuity in a tightening energy landscape.

Europe’s power grid, increasingly supplied by wind, solar, and nuclear sources, now fuels a growing fleet of electric locomotives and battery‑electric trucks. This clean energy advantage gives combined transport a resilience edge over pure road haulage, which remains heavily diesel‑dependent. Yet the transition is uneven: many ports and inland terminals lack the infrastructure for full electrification, and ongoing rail renovations force rerouting onto non‑electrified lines, keeping diesel shunters in service. These gaps highlight the need for targeted investment in terminal electrification and last‑mile solutions.

Looking ahead, policymakers and operators are likely to double down on intermodal expansion as a climate‑friendly, energy‑secure pillar of European logistics. Incentives for terminal upgrades, cross‑border rail harmonization, and digital freight matching platforms could accelerate adoption. Shippers that integrate combined transport into their risk‑management playbooks will benefit from lower fuel exposure, improved supply‑chain visibility, and a stronger position in a market where energy stability is becoming as critical as speed and cost.