75th container with floriculture products enters Europe by train

FLORAHOLLAND, 19 March 2010 (press release) – The 75th container of floriculture products reached Italy by train on Thursday 18 March. GreenRail began transporting plant containers by rail in mid-2009. Since then, two to three containers on average have been transported to Italy on a weekly basis. In late 2009, GreenRail also opened up routes to Hungary and Romania. Routes to Poland (Poznan and Warsaw) and Switzerland will follow later this month. These pilots are part of the GreenRail project, in which flower auction FloraHolland and the VGB (Association of Wholesalers in Floricultural Products) are arranging the transportation of floriculture and AGF products along conventional railway lines in Europe. The results have been promising.

A 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions
GreenRail is demonstrating that for the floriculture industry, rail transportation is a highly suitable method of long-distance transportation. Rail transport has demonstrated itself to be the greener, reliable, and cost effective option for the transportation of floriculture products, given the rising costs of road transport, increasing limitations on driving and break times, and increased traffic congestion. A rail trip over long distances (over 600 km) provides a 50% reduction in CO₂ emissions and a reduction in costs of approximately 10% per Danish trolley compared to road transport. Rail transport is also reliable: 96% of the containers were shipped on time, while the quality of the products is of the same level as with road transport.

Chain cooperation
The need for sustainable enterprise, the limitations of accessibility and infrastructure, and the uncertainty surrounding fuel prices necessitate the development of alternative logistical concepts. This requires cooperation throughout the chain. GreenRail, an initiative of FloraHolland and the VGB, is aimed at strengthening the position of the Netherlands as international center of the floriculture sector in the interest of production and trade. GreenRail is a collaboration between various floriculture businesses, logistical service providers and knowledge centers. GreenRail works with rail operator HUPAC for the execution of the rail transport. Chain producer e-Logistics Control ensures the optimal functioning of the new chain with which fresh produce is transported by train. The chain producer carries out checks, has an overview and is an expert in the guidance of intermodal chains. This allows it to make adjustments wherever necessary in road and/or train transport, to ensure that products reach their international destinations on time and in the right condition. This also reduces the burden for exporters.

Apart from the GreenRail project, FloraHolland and the VGB also play an active role in a number of other railway initiatives, such as HST Cargo (part of Amsterdam Connecting Trade) and Sneller Spoor (faster track). FloraHolland is also actively involved in the development of a fresh produce rail terminal at Greenparc Bleiswijk.

For more information about GreenRail: www.greenrail.nu