European rail group merges into ESC

European rail group merges into ESC The European Rail Freight Customers' Platform has merged into the European Shippers’ Council, the two organizations said Monday.
   “The two organizations have worked together defending the interest of shippers,” they said in a joint statement. “Both trade associations seek a rail network in Europe which supports expanding, reliable, accessible, efficient and competitive rail freight services. Both want to see services that the customers need. The merger with the ESC enables the more efficient and effective use of resources, energy, experience and influence of the two organizations to better serve European shippers interests.”
   Formed in 2001, the ERFCP was an initiative of European and national associations of industries and groupings, all aiming for a single, customer-oriented rail freight market in Europe. The ESC was a founding member of the ERFCP.
   “The liberalization of the European rail freight industry remains the single most important objective,” said Georges Di Lallo, chairman of the ERFCP. “Through liberalization comes competition, and it is competition which drives the development of improved efficiency and productivity, reducing costs and prices, improving service performance, and expanding the choice of viable freight services to shippers and other rail freight customers. There are still many obstacles to be removed that currently prevent full liberalization of the rail sector and which hinders the development of a fully competitive European rail freight sector. With this agreement we will be able to draw on the additional strengths and resources of the ESC and support from the wider European shipper community within ESC's membership in our quest to deliver the liberalization and developments so badly needed to make rail freight work for business.'
   'At the heart of ESC's policy is the freight, not the mode,” said Dick van den Broek Humphreij, ESC chairman. “ESC has no preference for one mode over another, merely that they can and do provide the services that shippers and their supply chains need. As such the scope of ESC's work and interest goes beyond the modal focus. Combining our respective resources will create a stronger, single voice on rail freight issues. We shall be establishing a Rail Freight Council within our organization, and I encourage all shippers that have a vested interest in the future success of rail freight to come and join it, either through their national shipper organizations or directly through ESC's corporate membership.'