CT4EU Report: Intermodal transport is resilient by design
Brussels, 28.10.2026
Dear Supporters of the CT4EU Campaign,
Dear Friends of Combined Transport,
Energy has been at the top of the agenda for many months now, but with diesel prices reaching record highs, the impact on the EU economy is being felt more strongly than ever before. Unfortunately, given that the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, the Red Sea is still troubled, and the United States is threatening to ban diesel exports to Europe, there is little reason to believe that the situation will improve anytime soon. In this context, CT4EU is campaigning for Combined Transport to become a new reflex for decisionmakers because a freight system relying on a single fuel source and a single mode of transport will be vulnerable to every shock.
In the coming weeks, the European Commission will unveil its climate resilience framework, providing an opportunity to promote the strengths of intermodal transport. Whenever roads are flooded, rail tracks damaged or rivers run dry, the smartest solution is to continue the journey on another mode of transport, just as any traveller would do if a train or a flight was cancelled. Plan B is needed and Intermodal transport is therefore resilient by design. However, our vision will only materialise with a robust and interoperable legal framework that simplifies switching between modes for operators, shippers and the entire ecosystem. This is why resuming the revision of the Combined Transport Directive comes at the right moment. We intend to ensure that the voice of the sector is heard in the upcoming negotiations so that the long-overdue modernisation can finally be delivered.
Our voice is growing stronger with every new supporter. In the past three months, we have had the pleasure to welcome new supporters, each bringing a unique perspective to Combined Transport: Hector Rail, based in Sweden, is the largest private train operator in Scandinavia, and Francesco Parisi, founded in 1807, offers the perspective of a family business that has evolved into an international logistics group.
Alongside expanding our network, we are continuing the conversation online and just released our new “The Intermodalist podcast” episode on quality jobs in Combined Transport with our supporter learn2fly-rh.
On 2 September, UIRR co-organised its 11th Nordic Intermodal Freight Seminar with Jernhusen and Green Cargo, under the CT4EU umbrella, brought the intermodal sector to Scandinavia. This event provided an opportunity to exchange views on legislative developments at EU level, and to better understand the challenges and opportunities emerging in Northern Europe.
Looking ahead, CT4EU and MLSZKSZ will co-organise the 6th Central European Intermodal Conference on 29 October in Budapest. On 17 November, we will host a high-level breakfast debate on Military Mobility featuring representatives from European Institutions and our Industry. This will be followed by a webinar on 18 November on market-based instruments to promote modal shift and rail. Finally, save the date of our annual flagship event, the European Intermodal Summit on 4 December, to discuss key topics including the implementation of the Capacity Regulation including ERP, the Combined Transport Directive, SERA, CEF and the next MFF. Stay tuned for more details!
Thank you for your continued dedication to making European freight more resilient, competitive and sustainable.
>>> You can read the full report below
