A coalition of European rail organisations is urging policymakers to continue work on the Combined Transport Directive rather than withdraw the proposal.
A coalition of major European rail and freight organisations has called on the European Commission and EU Transport Ministers not to withdraw the proposed revision of the Combined Transport Directive (CTD), arguing that doing so would damage efforts to strengthen rail freight and improve transport resilience across Europe.
The joint position has been signed by the Community of European Railway and Infrastructure Companies, UNIFE, European Rail Freight Association, International Union for Road-Rail Combined Transport, International Union of Wagon Keepers and the Association of European Rail Rolling Stock Lessors.
The organisations argue that combined transport remains critical for Europe’s competitiveness, decarbonisation goals, energy security, supply chain resilience and military mobility. They warn that withdrawing the proposal would send the wrong political signal and delay urgently needed reforms for several years.
Rail industry proposes pragmatic Combined Transport Directive solution
Rather than abandoning the proposal, the sector has suggested retaining the current Combined Transport definition contained within Directive 92/106/EEC while continuing negotiations on other elements of the legislation where agreement can be reached.
The organisations have also proposed reviewing the definition after five years once key framework conditions, including the implementation of electronic freight transport information systems and updated external cost methodologies, are in place.
Combined Transport combines road haulage with rail, inland waterways and short sea shipping. According to the sector statement, it reduces carbon emissions, lowers energy consumption and strengthens European supply chains while helping address long distance freight transport challenges.
The industry notes that intermodal rail freight has been one of the strongest performing segments of the rail freight market over the past 25 years. Between 2010 and 2023, volumes increased by 59 per cent, while intermodal traffic grew by 8.7 per cent between 2018 and 2023 despite wider declines in overall rail freight volumes.
The organisations estimate that combined transport now accounts for between one third and one half of total rail freight tonne kilometres across Europe, making it a crucial component of the continent’s logistics network.
This Plan represents the only realistic path to avoid a policy failure that would further weaken Europe’s modal-shift and resilience ambitions.”
Industry warns of investment and competitiveness risks
The rail sector argues that withdrawing the CTD proposal would create significant regulatory uncertainty and risk delaying investment in terminals, rolling stock, digitalisation and intermodal infrastructure.
The statement also highlights concerns that other transport policies could progress without corresponding support measures for combined transport, potentially distorting competition between transport modes.
Alongside preserving the directive, the industry is calling for stronger national policy frameworks, enhanced digitalisation measures, improved transparency tools, better market access and targeted exemptions for combined transport road legs where appropriate.
The organisations stress that a wider European rail freight strategy is also required to strengthen both conventional rail freight and combined transport, recognising their contribution to economic competitiveness, sustainability and strategic autonomy.
The coalition said it remains ready to work with the European Commission, European Parliament and Member States to advance a practical solution that supports modal shift and strengthens Europe’s transport network.
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