ERFA - The European Rail Freight Association

ERFA participates actively to the ERA workshop in Lille on the study on coherence and consistency of Registers and on the ERA draft report “Registers, Data exchange: Improving the System”

11/09/2012

Visit to MEPs in Strasbourg

The Secretary General paid visits to MEPs (Member of the European Parliament from EPP, ALDE, Greens) in Strasbourg to inform on the ERFA positions on the 4th Railway Package, especially on the new role of ERA and on the future structural model of the European Railway System. ERFA participates also to the RFE conference “Putting Rolling Stock and infrastructure financing on the right track”

11/09/2012

The ERA TRAXX Safety Alert meeting

ERFA participates to the 2nd ERA TRAXX Safety Alert meeting in Lille to make the point on the status on TRAXX Axle verification and the European Safety Alert process

6/09/2012

The EESC conference : Reforming European railway legislation

ERFA participates to the European Economic and Social Committee in the final session “Round table and conclusions”

6/09/2012

ERFA position on the Advocate General opinion

The same day as the EESC conference, the Advocate General of the European Court of Justice delivered his opinion. ERFA reacted by issuing a press release > see Press section

31/08/2012

The 100 year celebration of our ERFA Member VAP/CRE in Bern, Switzerland

The Secretary General participates to the celebration in Bern. On the occasion, he meets several actors of the Swiss railway sector directly implicated in the European railways activities.

7/08/2012

ERFA Open letter to Brian Simpson, MEP, Chairman of the Committee of transport and tourism

The President François Coart address to MEP Brian Simpson following his interview in DVZ of July 21raising some concerns amongst ERFA

20/12/2011

ERFA's 10th Anniversary

On 19th January 2012, ERFA will hold its 10th Anniversary event in Brussels (B). Further information on this website or from pierre.tonon@erfa.be.

17/11/2011

CRE Autumn Event Zürich (CH)

28/09/2011

New Secretary General

As of 1st October 2011, ERFA will have a new Secretary General: Ing Pierre Tonon.

For further information, please contact: pierre.tonon@erfa.be

27/09/2011

UIP Congress in Bern (CH)

On 30th September 2011, UIP will hold its rail congress in Bern (CH). For registrations, please contact congress@cargorail.ch.

19/09/2011

ERFA and IRG Rail

On 19th September, 2011, ERFA met with IRG-Rail. For further information, please contact francois.coart@eurotunnel.com

23/05/2011

Study on railway noise

The German rail sector presented a study into different freight wagon retrofitting models and their costs. The study is co-funded by ERFA. For further info, please contact: monika.heiming@erfa.be

30/03/2011

ERFA on PIR 2011 consultation in Italy

ERFA has written to the EC to ask for a transparent consultation process for the update of the PIR 2010/1.

For further information, please contact: monika.heiming@erfa.be.

30/03/2011

ZNPK suggests rail projects to EC

The Polish member association of ERFA, ZNPK, will suggest rail related projects in Poland fundable with EU Cohesion Fund means. For further info, please contact: monika.heiming@erfa.be

30/03/2011

Crossrail lobbying MEPs for market opening

The Belgian/Swiss rail freight operator Crossrail has started to lobby selected MEPS to plead for a further opening of the Belgian rail freight market within the context of the Recast of the 1st Railway Package of the EC.

30/03/2011

CRE Spring Freight Wagon Forum in Zürich (CH)

CRE will hold its next spring freight wagon forum on 19th May 2011 in Zürich (CH). For further info, please contact: f.furrer@cargoraileurope.com

29/03/2011

ERFA position on White Paper on Transport

ERFA welcomes the EU White Paper on Transport but expects quick measures to support private and independent rail freight operators.

For more info, please contact: monika.heiming@erfa.be

23/03/2011

ERFA on Polish Cohesion Fund use

ERFA has written to EC Commissioners Hahn (DG Regio) and Kallas (DG Move) about the intentions of the Polish authorities to shift EU cohesion funds of 1,2 billion EUR from rail to road projects. For further info, please contact: monika.heiming@erfa.be

8/02/2011

Crossrail complains to EC about SNCB Logistics

Crossrail Benelux has filed a complaint with the European Commission regarding the structure and the conditions of employment within the "new" "independent" company SNCB Logistics.

For further information, please contact: alix.garassino@crossrail.be

24/01/2011

TI stops private freight wagons in Italy

In Italy, Trenitalia has stopped the circulation of private freight wagons registered in Italy as of 24th January 2011.

For further queries, please contact: monika.heiming@erfa.be

20/01/2011

ERFA's 10th Annual Event in Brussels (B)

ERFA held its 10th Annual Event in Brussels (B). For more information, please check on this website or contact monika.heiming@erfa.be. The 11th Annual Event will take place on 19th Jan 2012 in Brussels.

20/01/2011

ERFA's 10th Annual Event in Brussels (B)

On 20th January 2010, ERFA held its 10th Annual Event in Brussels (B), where Mr François Coart was elected President of the association.

For more info, please contact monika.heiming@erfa.be or check the events section on this website.

19/12/2010

ERFA's Christmas & New Year Wishes

ERFA wishes all its Members, Partners and Friends a relaxing festive season and above all a very prosperous New Year!

16/12/2010

JSG and ANSF on leaf-springs

Joint Sector Group (JSG) causes Italian NSA 'ANSF' to relax requirements on leaf-spring wagons, except for 2- and 3-axle RID tank wagons.

15/12/2010

ERFA has written to the EC for wagon cert in Poland

ERFA has asked the EC to investigate the further distinction of foreign wagons in Poland. The measure may be implemented from 1st January 2011 onwards.

13/12/2010

ERFA informs EC about PIR 2010

ERFA requests the European Commission to set-up a transparent consultation process in Italy due to the systematic problems of rail freight in this country. For further information, please contact: monika.heiming@erfa.be.

2/12/2010

PIR 2010 in Italy adjourned

The Italian Rail Regulator URSF has requested the adjournment of the critical elements of the network usage conditions PIR 2010 following pressure of the sector in Italy and Brussels.

26/11/2010

ERFA speaks with shippers and forwarders

ERFA presented its main strategy issues to a high-level panel of shippers and forwarders. The agenda featured liberalisation, re-monopolisation, infrastructure costs, operational strategies, rail freight telematics and other issues.

22/11/2010

JSG has published KSD Guide

The Joint Sector Group (JSG) has published the Implementation Guide for the Keeper's Self-Declaration (KSD) within the context of the ECM (Entity in Charge of Maintenance).

19/11/2010

VAP Autumn Freight Wagon Forum in Zürich (CH)

VAP will organise its next Freight Wagon Forum on 18th November 2010 in Zürich (CH).

19/11/2010

ERFA Board fears costs of non-liberalisation

The lack of market liberalisation will cost new entrantstens of millions of euro in additional investments the ERFA Board confirmed. These costs will further reduce the competitiveness of rail freight because of the re-monopolisation process.

16/11/2010

Greens/EFA query the EC

MEP M Cramer of the Greens/EFA of the European Parliament has sent 6 written questions to the EC for rail freight market problems.

15/11/2010

ERFA & EU support Recast (EU)

ERFA and key EU representatives of the EC and the EP claim for more rail freight liberalisation and a strong Recast of the 1st Railway Package.

12/11/2010

ERFA writes to EC for maintenance (IT)

ERFA has written to EC DG MOVE to ask for measures to ensure freight wagon operations / maintenance in Italy by non-Trenitalia companies.

12/11/2010

ERFA writes to EC for safety certification (D)

ERFA has written for a 2nd time to EC DG MOVE for an urgent investigation into safety certification processes, with particular focus on Germany within the scope of Directive 2004/49/EC and in particular of the German process.

8/11/2010

ERFA writes to EC for Infrabel (B)

ERFA has written to the European Commission to complain about the non-independence of the Belgian infrastructure manager Infrabel during strikes of SNCB staff.

8/11/2010

Crossrail complains about abuse of right to strike (B)

Crossrail (B/CH) complains about the abuse of the right to strike of the Belgian trade union ACOD blocking rail freight traffic of private rail freight undertakings.

8/11/2010

ERFA speaks at ASSTRA rail convent in Rome (I)

ERFA Secretary General Monika Heiming presents the problems of the Italian rail freight market and announces counter-measures.

8/11/2010

Asstra denounces decay in Italy (IT)

At the occasion of the rail convent of Asstra on 14th October, Asstra, Assoferr and Fercargo denounce publicly the decay of the Italian rail freight market.

8/11/2010

Europorte and RFF sign quality agreement (F)

On 28th October 2010, RFF and Europorte have signed a quality slot agreement. For RFF, it's the third agreement of this type, but the first one with a private rail freight operator.

4/11/2010

ERFA writes to EC for RFI's PIR 2010 (IT)

ERFA has written to the EC to complain about the amended network usage conditions of the Italian infrastructure manager RFI, "PIR 2010". ERFA has also called upon the EP.

29/10/2010

ERFA writes to EC DG COMP for protection of PKP Cargo (PL)

ERFA has written to EU DG COMP for protection of PKP Cargo against bankruptcy and the effects on the competitors operating on the Polish rail freight market.

25/10/2010

ERFA writes to EC DG COMP for terminals in Italy (IT)

ERFA has written to EC DG COMP to investigate the transfer of terminals from RFI to FS according to the EU state aid rules.

1/10/2010

Wascosa & ExTe develop further body for timber transport

Wascosa & ExTe have developed a further body for the Wascosa flex freight system® to transport timber, a type R body. The new type of car was presented to interested parties during an event in Sweden.

1/10/2010

ERFA supports ECM

The certification of Entities in Charge of Maintenance (ECM) will provide evidence of responsibility and traceability of the maintenance undertaken on freight wagons.

22/09/2010

ERFA speaks at LogLev (D)

ERFA has given a presentation at the annual Log.Lev event in Leverkusen (D) on successes and failures with rail freight liberalisation.

18/09/2010

ERFA writes to Xrail for membership

ERFA has contacted the single wagon alliance Xrail to notify the interest of its members for membership.

17/09/2010

ERFA welcomes Recast of 1st Railway Package

ERFA highly welcomes the publication of the 1st Railway Package by the EC.

2/09/2010

Wascosa receives ECM certificate

On 07/09/2010, Wascosa became the first car owner in the German-speaking regions of Europe to satisfy all of the requirements for the ECM certification.

9/07/2010

ERFA & EIM write to Barroso for Recast

ERFA and EIM have written to EC President Barroso to complain about the delay of the Recast of the 1st Railway Package.

6/07/2010

ERFA writes to EC DG COMP for ARRIVA/DB

ERFA has written to EC DG COMP for the takeover of the Germany branch of Arriva by Deutsche Bahn.

1/07/2010

Wascosa delivers tank car with whisper brake

WASCOSA delivers 22 petrochemical tank cars with "whisper brake" to Air Total. They will run daily between Kehl (D) and Zürich (CH).

26/06/2010

ERFA speaks at Crans Montana Forum

ERFA has given a presentation on the lobby for the liberalisation of European rail freight at the 21st Annual Session of the Crans Montana Forum.

25/05/2010

ERFA writes to EC for double drivers on locos (PL)

ERFA has written to the EC to ask for an investigation about a draft legislation imposing double drivers on all locos with the driver seat on the left. This case complements the Class 66 case already notifed for the same reasons.

20/05/2010

VAP Spring Freight Wagon Forum in Zürich (CH)

VAP will organise its next Freight Wagon Forum on 20th May 2010 in Zürich (CH).

6/05/2010

ERFA writes to EC for reinforced safety measures (IT)

ERFA has written to the EC for problems in Italy with reinforced safety arrangements for the carriage by rail of hazardous goods of categories 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 of RID.

5/05/2010

ERFA writes to EC for transfer of terminals in Italy (IT)

ERFA has written to the EC to request for an investigation of a Directive of the Italian Ministries for the transfer of freight facilities and services of RFI to companies of the FS Group, including Trenitalia.

4/05/2010

ERFA writes to EC for single wagon traffic in Italy (IT)

ERFA has infomed the EC about the evolution of the Italian rail freight market since the decision of Trenitalia to stop single wagon transportation.

27/04/2010

ERFA writes to EC DG COMP for SNCBL (B)

ERFA has written to EC DG COMP to investigate state aid for SNCB Logistics following a request of the Belgian government to the EU.

18/03/2010

ERFA's 9th Annual Event in Brussels (B)

ERFA held its 9th Annual Event in Brussels (B). The event consisted in the statutory part for the members and a workshop and a social part open to non-members and selected guests.

8/03/2010

ERFA & CRE join forces for single wagon business in Italy

The rail freight associations ERFA and Cargo Rail Europe are deeply concerned by Trenitalia’s announcement of its intention to stop transporting hazardous goods through its single wagon network as from 1 April 2010.

3/03/2010

5th International VDV Railway Congress in Cologne (D)

On 3rd & 4th March 2010:

5th International VDV Railway Congress in Cologne (D): Interoperability in Rail Freight Traffic - Brake or driving force for the Railway Companies?

1/03/2010

Single wagon stop for dangerous goods in Italy

On 1st March 2010, ERFA wrote to the European Commission to request urgent measures to prevent Trenitalia from stopping single wagon transportation of dangerous goods by 1st May 2010.

16/02/2010

ERFA involved in EVIC deployment

Within the context of the EU and the sector activities on wagon maintenance & safety, the JSG has developed a European-wide visual inspection catalogue (EVIC) of the European axle fleet in 2009. In 2010, EVIC will be deployed in the EU.

11/02/2010

ERFA spoke at 1st PoA Rail Freight Conference

ERFA spoke at the 1st Rail Freight Conference of the Port of Antwerp in Antwerp (B).

26/01/2010

Hector Rail operates 1000 trains (S)

Hector Rail operates 1000 trains connecting Scandinavia and the Continent via Denmark. Hector Rail has by now operated more than 1000 trains through Denmark. This operation is possible since Hector Rail has invested in locomotives with the special equipment required to cross the Öresund Bridge.

26/01/2010

Hupac opens a transhipment

Hupac opens a transhipment terminal in Antwerp.

The Swiss combined freight operator Hupac is opening a new transshipment terminal in Antwerp harbour. The facility has the capacity to handle 12 train pairs each day and helps to further shift freight traffic from road to rail.