Low water levels on the Rhine: HSL creates additional rail transport capacity

HSL, the rail transport company belonging to TX Logistik (FS Logistix), has created additional capacity at short notice to shift freight transport onto the rail network. Since the end of October, the freight railway has been transporting bulk goods, liquid fuels and petroleum products on the international route between Amsterdam and the Rhine-Neckar region. One example of this is coal transport, where up to 4,000 tonnes per train are carried using double-unit traction.

 

Due to the low water levels, inland waterway vessels are no longer able to operate at their usual load capacity in many places. To alleviate the resulting bottlenecks, rail is becoming increasingly important as an alternative mode of transport.

 

“With these new services, we are helping industry in the Rhine-Neckar region to compensate for the loss of inland waterway transport capacity and to maintain the supply of raw materials even during periods of low water on the Rhine,” says Stefan Frankowski, Managing Director of HSL Logistik GmbH, based in Hamburg.

 

Modern multi-system locomotives are being used on the route; these have been hired specifically for these transport operations and are authorised for cross-border transport. The transport operations are initially planned to last three months, but may be extended by a further three months should the need persist. “The creation of additional transport capacity once again demonstrates the enormous potential of rail freight. Rail provides solutions and serves as a reliable alternative when other modes of transport reach their natural limits, ensuring stable supply chains even in challenging times,” emphasizes Gian Paolo Gotelli, CEO of TX Logistik AG. “We are pleased to be able to support the logistics industry through our European network, particularly through our Dutch and German companies.”

HSL has been part of TX Logistik AG since the acquisition of Exploris Deutschland Holding GmbH in 2023. TX Logistik AG, in turn, belongs to FS Logistix.