Expanding the NiKRASA Technology Network - Partnership between TX Logistik and Wascosa

TX Logistik AG and freight car rental company Wascosa AG have signed a framework agreement to expand their future cooperation. The agreement primarily concerns the further development of the existing collaboration in the freight car rental sector and the commercialization of the NiKRASA handling system, which enables the quick and easy loading of non-craneable trailers onto rail. Wascosa has placed an initial order for 125 NiKRASA modules, valued at approximately 3 million euros.

 

The agreement was signed at the Quadrante Europe terminal in Verona by Ugo Dibennardo, CEO of TX Logistik, and Iris Hilb, CEO of Wascosa AG, in the presence of Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of Mercitalia Logistics. The event also provided an opportunity for a demonstration of the NiKRASA system.

 

Both partners have been collaborating for many years and, with the new framework agreement, they aim to expand their presence in key markets based on their mutual business relationships. “In the current market situation, this partnership is a sign that we are looking toward the future,” says Ugo Dibennardo, CEO of TX Logistik. “In addition to freight car rental and the commercialization of NiKRASA, we also want to work closely on innovative transport solutions and move them forward together with other partners.”

 

Wascosa is also the first partner with which TX Logistik has initiated cooperation on NiKRASA. The rail logistics company, part of Mercitalia Logistics (FS Group), has designed the NiKRASA system from the start to be freely accessible to all market participants and intends to acquire additional partners in the future. Ugo Dibennardo adds: “We want to contribute to achieving climate goals and ensure that the shift of goods from road to rail is simple and possible for anyone who is interested.”

 

The NiKRASA platform allows for the handling of non-craneable semitrailers, which currently make up around 90% of truck fleets in Europe. These can be loaded from road to rail in just two minutes, without any changes to existing standards at terminals, wagons, or rail infrastructure. In addition to conventional semitrailers, NiKRASA allows for the loading of silos, fixed-bed trailers, mega-trailers, and trailers without beds and container chassis onto trains. Even if the NiKRASA loading frame remains empty in the wagon, mobile containers and boxes can still be loaded without any interference from the systems.

 

The freight car rental company Wascosa is confident in the potential of this solution. “The NiKRASA solution fits perfectly with our market strategy to generate value for customers in rail freight logistics while also supporting the shift to rail,” says Iris Hilb, CEO of Wascosa. “In the future, we will offer the handling system as a new standard service for renting our cars to facilitate freight forwarders' entry into the combined transport sector.” There is clear market interest, as more and more freight forwarders in Europe are facing the challenge of making their supply chains more sustainable and cost-effective in the future.

 

A new partnership supporting Mercitalia's sustainability strategy: “The goal of the agreement is to expand the scope of our new generation sustainable logistics solutions across Europe. The NiKRASA system, essential for terminal efficiency, together with the development of intermodal hubs, represents a winning combination for promoting modal shift,” emphasized Sabrina De Filippis, CEO of Mercitalia Logistics. “We are constantly committed to adopting cutting-edge technologies, such as automatic and digital coupling of freight cars, to significantly reduce the environmental impact of logistics operations while ensuring high-quality service.”

 

To convince as many market operators as possible of the practical advantages of the NiKRASA system, TX Logistik plans to organize more NiKRASA events in Europe together with Wascosa.