RailFreight Webinar – The Role of Combined Transport During a Fuel Crisis

Why It Matters

If fuel costs stay volatile, shippers will lean on rail‑based intermodal solutions to safeguard margins and supply‑chain continuity. The dialogue also highlights a sector‑wide push toward digital standards that could speed greener transport adoption.

Key Takeaways

• Fuel price surge revives interest in combined rail‑intermodal transport
• Webinar features UIRR policy advisor Akos Ersek and Metrans' Martin Koubek
• Event scheduled April 13, free registration, focuses on crisis‑era logistics
• European Cargo Experience in Gdansk will spotlight terminal digitalisation
• Discounted tickets offered to webinar attendees for May conference

Pulse Analysis

The recent escalation of the Iran conflict has sent crude prices soaring, echoing the oil shocks of the 1970s that forced Europe to reconsider its logistics mix. Unlike the past, today’s rail networks are more electrified and intermodal corridors are better integrated, making combined transport a viable hedge against fuel volatility. Analysts see a potential shift in freight patterns as shippers seek modes that decouple cost from oil price fluctuations, positioning rail‑based solutions as a strategic asset for resilient supply chains.

The RailFreight webinar scheduled for April 13 brings together policy expert Akos Ersek of the Union Internationale des Railways and Martin Koubek, Metrans’ head of Silk Road, to dissect these dynamics. Participants will explore operational challenges, regulatory hurdles, and the competitive edge that intermodal rail can offer during a fuel crisis. By keeping the session free, the organizers aim to attract a broad audience—from logistics managers to infrastructure planners—facilitating a real‑time exchange of ideas that could shape short‑term routing decisions and long‑term investment strategies.

Beyond the webinar, the European Cargo Experience in Gdansk (May 6‑7) will dive deeper into digitalisation and automation at terminals, topics that are increasingly critical as rail operators adopt data‑sharing platforms and standardized loading units. The conference promises hands‑on site visits, expert panels, and a networking dinner, while offering webinar attendees a discounted ticket. This convergence of policy dialogue and technology showcase underscores the industry’s momentum toward smarter, greener freight solutions that can withstand future energy shocks.