Malte Lawrenz was re-elected chairman of the Association of Wagon KeepersVPI in Germany for a further three years by 168 delegates at the association's general meeting in Düsseldorf."I am delighted to have this tailwind to work together on strengthening the rail mode of transport. The association's growth to a new high of 300 member companies is good evidence that we are on the right track," said Malte Lawrenz.
Lawrenz wants to focus on projects such as Digital Automatic Coupling, which focus on innovation, digitalization and efficiency. The Association's own service company VERS is currently involved in the European consortium DACFIT, which is preparing the migration of the new coupling technology. With VERS service offerings such as the VPI European Maintenance Guide, which is established throughout Europe, the association is making an important contribution to safe and efficient rail freight transport.
Lawrenz said that the industry was energetically pursuing the government's objective that more goods should be transported by rail. In this context, he strongly criticized the fact that track access charges are to be massively increased next year and the year after. "We don't need brake blocks such as an unsustainable and competition-distorting rail toll, but an efficient infrastructure at long last. Otherwise, the modal shift threatens to shift towards road rather than rail," warned Lawrenz.
In addition to the election of the Chairman of the Association, the appointment of the five Vice-Chairmen was also on the agenda of the General Assembly: Thorsten Bieker (BASF), Jörg Nowaczyk (GATX), Peter Reinshagen (Ermewa) and Carsten Schiering (Transwaggon) were re-elected and Florian Schuhmacher (VTG) was elected. The 15 members of the Advisory Board were also up for election. Kathryn Füller (RailMaint) and Iris Hilb (Wascosa) were appointed as new members.
