New EU advisory group on intermodal is formed

New EU advisory group on intermodal is formed Intermodal rail and road transport providers, forwarders, port operators, shippers and associations involved in European intermodal transport have formed the European Intermodal Research Advisory Council.
   The group wants to develop priorities in intermodal transport research at the European level. They will define a strategic research agenda for intermodal transport in    2020, in conjunction with a business scenario. The European Intermodal Research Advisory Council members will benefit from the Caesar project, funded by the European Commission.
   “I believe that the keys for future solutions are innovation and investment, but only via a joint strategy covering all modes in the logistics chain,” said Klaus Ebeling, secretary general of the European Intermodal Association, a member of the new intermodal research council.
   “Current transport is threatened by expensive road-only congestion, congestion of EU ports, increasing costs and the growth of container flows between ports and their hinterlands,” he added.
   The council expects to publish the first draft of its strategic research agenda later in 2005.