Combined transports stable at a lower level

Chiasso, 30 July 2009 In the first half of the year, the traffic volume of combined transport operator Hupac of Switzerland decreased by 21.9% compared to the prior year period. In May and June the negative trend began to stabilize.

"We expect that we have bottomed out", said Bernhard Kunz, director of the Chiasso-based combined transport operator Hupac. In the first half of 2009 the company transported 292,426 road consignments on the rails, which corresponds to a decrease of 21.9% compared to the same period in the prior year. During the last few months, traffic has stabilized at minus 15% compared to last year. The various economic stimulus programs developed with the railroads and now also sponsored by the Swiss Federal Transport Office had a positive impact. "We are on the right track", according to Kunz.

The decline in volume has affected all traffic segments equally, one exception being the transalpine traffic through Austria, which generated a plus of 40.9% as a result of a newly introduced connection between Taulov (Denmark) and Verona. The Rolling Highway, on the other hand, has softened significantly as only one pair of trains is operating per day due to the reconstruction of the Monte Olimpino tunnel.

In spite of the traffic slump Hupac continues to maintain its network for eco-friendly combined transports in all major markets. In some segments, the company even introduced new connections, for example, between Antwerp and Spain/Portugal. At the end of July the East-West axis was enhanced by three weekly departures between Schwarzheide (Dresden) and K?ty Wroc?awskie (Wroclaw). As a result, the dynamic economic area in Poland's southwest region will have regular connections to Duisburg, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Zeebrugge, and Busto Arsizio via the Schwarzheide hub.

Combined transports optimally utilize the benefits offered by the road and rail system: long distances are covered by railroads, while the road is used for final distribution. The strategic competitive advantages of combined transports include a reduction in the environmental burden, energy efficiency and maximum security. These factors will play an increasingly important role in the long term. "Despite the crisis we are securing capacities for the future", emphasized Bernhard Kunz. Hupac's investments in new terminals are progressing on schedule. The HTA Hupac Terminal Antwerp is expected to go into operation in early 2010, to be followed shortly thereafter by the Combinant Terminal, also in Antwerp, which is jointly owned by Hupac, BASF and IFB.