During the recent IBS Congress, Christoph Grasl, head of the Market and Sales department at Rail Cargo Group, presented the Mobiler system. It is designed to facilitate the movement of containers and swap bodies between trucks and train wagons, does not require the use of cranes or a dedicated railway connection, and provides a simplified solution for container handling.
Mobiler utilizes a hydraulic lifting device mounted on vehicles, which allows for the rapid and uncomplicated transfer of goods directly from production lines into containers, minimizing downtime for trucks.
This solution is particularly beneficial for customers lacking direct rail access and for areas like industrial centers without railway sidings. It offers a decentralized supplement to combined transport terminals, ensuring safe and quick transshipment of goods. The Mobiler system can be installed on various carrier vehicles, including semi-trailers with a tilt function, allowing for versatile use across different logistics scenarios.
Detailed overview of the Mobiler system
Key Features and Functionalities:
- Hydraulic Lifting Device: Mobiler is equipped with a hydraulic lifting mechanism that is integrated into a specially designed vehicle. This feature enables the lifting and moving of containers between trucks and train wagons quickly and efficiently.
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Flexibility: The system can be installed on a variety of carrier vehicles, including 3-axle semi-trailers with a tilt function. This adaptability makes Mobiler suitable for different logistical needs and environments.
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Container Variety: Mobiler supports a range of container types, such as the 30 ft Halftainer, 30 ft bulk materials container, Multitainer 36-H for heavy bulk goods, and more specialized containers like the BIO grain container. These containers are designed for versatility, accommodating everything from agricultural products to industrial waste.
Usage Scenarios:
- For Industries Lacking Rail Access: Mobiler is an ideal solution for customers and industrial centers that do not have direct access to rail infrastructure. It allows for the efficient transfer of goods from factory premises directly to railway transport systems.
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First and Last Mile Delivery: The system facilitates first and last mile logistics directly on the premises of factories, enabling just-in-time delivery and reducing costly downtimes associated with traditional freight handling.
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Decentralized Transport Nodes: It serves as a decentralized complement to combined transport terminals, providing safe and rapid transshipment of goods and containers in regions where transport infrastructure is limited.
Operational Efficiency:
- Just-in-Time Logistics: By enabling direct loading of products into containers at production sites, Mobiler reduces the need for interim storage and minimizes delays in the transport chain.
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Increased Storage Capacity: The use of Mobiler containers can significantly expand storage capabilities, as these containers can be used temporarily as storage solutions before and after transportation.
Geographical Reach:
Mobiler's functionality is supported by various transhipment points located strategically across Austria, France, Germany, Switzerland, Slovakia, Italy, Slovenia, Sweden, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. This extensive network ensures that Mobiler's advantages can be leveraged across a broad geographical area, enhancing the efficiency of cross-border logistics in Europe.
The Mobiler system by Rail Cargo Group exemplifies an innovative approach to logistics, blending flexibility with efficiency to address the challenges of modern freight transportation. By bypassing the need for fixed infrastructure and reducing reliance on additional handling equipment, Mobiler provides a streamlined, cost-effective solution for integrating road and rail logistics seamlessly. This system is particularly crucial for enhancing logistical operations in areas underserved by traditional rail access, thus broadening the scope and efficiency of supply chain solutions across Europe.
Rail Cargo Group: A broad overview
Rail Cargo Group, a subsidiary of the ÖBB Holding, stands as a major entity in European rail logistics, operating with a fleet that includes 718 traction vehicles and 24,231 freight wagons. It manages a network that accommodates over 448,167 train operations annually, covering significant distances and carrying a net tonnage of 88.4 million per year.
The company offers a wide range of services, from high-frequency intermodal connections called TransFER, which connect urban centers, industrial regions, and ports, to proactive maintenance services that ensure optimal functionality and availability of vehicles. Rail Cargo Group also provides customised end-to-end solutions for transporting industrial products and offers new wagon materials that meet contemporary logistical demands.
With logistics centers and terminals across 18 countries, Rail Cargo Group facilitates a substantial portion of Europe's freight volumes, underlining its role in the international logistics landscape. The organization's commitment to operational efficiency and customer service is supported by a diverse workforce of 5,887 employees from 34 different nations, contributing to its robust logistical operations.
This strategic approach by Rail Cargo Group, combined with innovative solutions like Mobiler, supports the seamless integration of rail and road transport, meeting the complex demands of modern supply chains without extending beyond practical or economic constraints.
