29.10.2003
Railroad Shuttle Service Between Duisburg and Marl Initiated by the Port of Duisburg

10,000 Dangerous Goods Containers to be Moved each Year by Rail Rather than by Road

Duisburg, 29 October 2003 – duisport agency GmbH, the marketing organization of the Port of Duisburg, and Infracor GmbH of Marl, a Degussa subsidiary, have developed a new transportation logistics system. Since 1 October 2003, a railroad shuttle train has operated every working day between the Marl Chemical Park and the Port of Duisburg. The railroad project is intended to shift each year some 10,000 dangerous goods containers from trucks to trains.

The Ruhr region is one of the areas in Europe suffering most from truck traffic. The new shuttle train – operated by port-owned carrier duisport rail – will take traffic off the highways and enhance highway safety. Infracor, the Marl Chemical Park operator and service contractor, also attaches great importance to this aspect of the new service. Said Dr. Weert Zell who is responsible for logistics in the Infracor organization: "It is good to know that we can make a contribution to the fight against highway congestion in the region."

Duisburger Hafen AG’s Chief Executive Officer Erich Staake who is a managing director of duisport agency remarked on contacts with the new customers: "The efficient transportation system developed for the Marl Chemical Park and the companies operating at this site is the outcome of close collaboration during the early phases of the project. Our successful cooperation with the Bayer Group has been an important asset."

The shuttle train runs five times a week between the Marl terminal operated by Umschlag Terminal Marl GmbH & Co. KG (UTM) and the DUSS terminal in Duisburg. It increases the efficiency of the combined transportation network both in the direction of European hinterland destinations and on the routes to the sea ports. The UTM and DUSS terminals benefit from increased traffic. Explained Staake: "Kombiverkehr and Conliner the combined transportation operators which we have tied into the system have gained access to new markets and new cargo." The shuttle service is also open to other forwarders and shippers. In duisport agency, the dispatcher responsible for the train is Jochen Pohl; +49-203-803-415, dispo_dpa@duisport.de.

Your Contact:
Tobias Metten
Duisburger Hafen AG
Alte Ruhrorter Str. 42 – 52
47119 Duisburg
Tel: +49 (0) 203-803-280
Fax: +49 (0) 203-578 98 93 94
Email: tobias.metten@duisport.de
www.duisport.de