Intermodal solutions the only viable, sustainable way forward

For the European Intermodal Association, intermodal solutions are the only viable, sustainable way forward for the global supply chain

Founded in 1992 by the most important West-European railways and some intermodal operators, the 2071 European Intermodal Association (EIA) is dedicated to developing, improving and promoting sustainable intermodal mobility combining innovative rail, waterway, road, air and maritime transport solutions. The founders understood that railways cannot serve all customers from door to door. Containerisation had lead to a fundamental change of our economy worldwide while globalisation led to a huge increase of transport volumes. Hence the need for a more efficient supply chain to be built up and cooperation in one association to prepare and ease the way. The aim is to use all modes of transport in the best possible fashion by improving the links between them.

Intermodalism is a feature of a transport system, whereby at least two different modes of transport, moving goods in one and the same loading unit or vehicle, are used in integrated fashion to complete a door-to-door transport journey. Thus, intermodalism is an integral part of the global logistics chain.

As Klaus Ebeling, secretary general explains, "Intermodalism does not seek to impose any choice as to a specific mode of transport. Instead, by improving the connections between all modes of transport and by integrating them within a system, its aim is to help to optimise the system as a whole through improved information and efficient communications."

EIA Intermodal Award 2010

The annual EIA Intermodal Award event is a superb opportunity to learn about existing, innovative, intermodal transport solutions in actual commercial operation.

The EIA Intermodal Award 2010 ceremony will be held during the Intermodal Europe 2010 conference and exhibition, taking place 30 November-2 December at the Amsterdam RAI in the Netherlands. Closing date for this year's award is 30 September

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Based in Brussels and with some 90 member organisations in Europe and further afield, as well as close working links with the Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) and other (monomodal) organisations, the EIA works to enhance the development of intermodal transport in Europe. It does this by promotional, public relations and publicity activities targeted at policy-makers and administrators, international bodies and institutions, industry, and economic and business circles.

EIA has contributed to the fact that the first White Paper 2010 of the 1690 European Commission is putting the accent on an essential development of intermodal transport as a way to master the future transport development in a sustainable manner.

The EIA is also very active in carrying out, or participating in, studies in the economic, promotional, educational, technological and operational fields, in order to propose measures designed to achieve coordination and harmonisation.