A flexible solution for ad hoc transport: VTG is expanding its service portfolio and, with the new VTG FastTrack service, can now offer a block train with container cars for last-minute transportation to and from the Port of Hamburg. Via a specially developed online portal, customers can book the block train with a loading volume of 88 TEU (20-foot standard container) around the clock. The 22 90-foot container cars are available immediately and are stationed on Hamburg Port Authority’s premises for short-term usage. For the first time, order peaks can also be managed swiftly and easily by rail. “VTG FastTrack has enabled us to establish a unique, Europe-wide service that makes a valuable contribution to the Port of Hamburg’s hinterland connection,” says Sven Wellbrock, Managing Director of VTG Rail Europe GmbH. “The provision of the train creates capacity for transport, which, until now, could only be handled by road. This increases the appeal of the rail and contributes to environmental protection at the same time. We are therefore delighted to be cooperating with HPA on such a ground-breaking project.”
Pilot Phase – with the possibility to expand
The first transports can now be booked as part of the pilot phase. “For the first step, we are working with a selection of railway undertakings, whose processes offer the necessary flexibility for the idea behind VTG FastTrack and which are already well acquainted with the conditions in the Port of Hamburg,” says Wellbrock. Future developments are on the horizon if the offer proves successful – in the short term by providing additional capacity in Hamburg and opening up the booking platform for other interested parties. In the long term, it would be possible to expand to other locations such as the ports in Rotterdam and Bremerhaven or even integrate additional car types.
Digitalization – for greater transparency in the supply chain
Of course, all cars that can be hired in the framework of VTG FastTrack are equipped with the VTG Connector. This telematics module, with which VTG has been equipping its entire European wagon fleet since 2017, forms the basis for the VTG Connect service. It gives users real-time status data of the cars and can, for example, monitor their exact position at any time. In this way, rail transport can be integrated into your logistics chain even more effectively – very much in the spirit of VTG’s guiding principle to “make rail easy”.
This offer can be accessed via fasttrack.vtg.com
About VTG
VTG Aktiengesellschaft is one of Europe’s leading wagon hire and rail logistics companies, with a fleet consisting of more than 83,000 railcars. VTG offers a full-range service, providing tank cars, intermodal wagons, standard freight wagons and sliding wall wagons. In addition to the hiring of wagons, the Group offers comprehensive multi-modal logistics services, mainly around rail transport, and global tank container transports.
With the combination of its three interlinked divisions Railcar, Rail Logistics and Tank Container Logistics, VTG offers its customers a high-performance platform for international transport of their freight. The Group has many years of experience and specific expertise, in particular in the transport of liquid and sensitive goods. Its customers include numerous well-known companies from almost every industrial sector, for example the chemical, petroleum, automotive, paper and agricultural industries.
In the financial year 2017, VTG generated revenue of EUR 1,014 million and operating profit (EBITDA) of EUR 343 million. Via its subsidiaries and affiliates the company, which has its head office in Hamburg, is mainly present in Europe, North America, Russia and Asia. As at 31 December 2017, VTG had 1,500 employees worldwide. VTG AG is listed on the official Prime Standard market of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and also on the SDAX (WKN: VTG999).