Annual Report 2008
Top in Europe, market leader in Central and South-Eastern Europe
The Rail Cargo Austria Group was able to further strengthen its market position in the year under report 2009 and is now market leader in Central and South-Eastern Europe. Responsible for the further strengthening of the market positions was mainly the acquisition of the Hungarian Rail Cargo Hungaria Zrt. in the year 2008. Thanks to this takeover, valuable synergies could be realised and there is an additional potential to participate in the growth of international freight transport. Apart from its presence throughout Austria, the Rail Cargo Austria Group is also optimally positioned on an international level.
Overview Business Development 2009
The year 2009 was characterised by the effects of the global
economic and financial crisis. The economic performance was declining in
virtually all markets around the world. This resulted in a lower transport
volume that put the transport and logistics sector to a hard test.
All in all, a total volume of 120m tons were transported in the year under
report, which is 18% less than in the previous year. The ton kilometres dropped
from 29bn tons to 23bn tons. As a result, the total returns of Rail Cargo
Austria AG were reduced by 9% to 2,321.4m EUR.
Operational Highlights 2009
Ultimate market leader in Central and South-Eastern-Europe
With the takeover of Rail Cargo Hungaria Zrt., the Rail Cargo Austria Group was able to further strengthen its market position and is now one of Europe's top railway logistics companies as well as market leader in Central and South-Eastern Europe.
Getting stronger during the crisis
The study of a renowned management consultancy confirms that Rail Cargo Austria AG showed a first class performance compared with other European freight railways.
New record of Highway on Wheels on the Brenner
With more than 225,000 trucks, the already high number of the previous year was exceeded by 12.5% in 2009. As many trucks as never before were transported on the Brenner axis and the Highway on Wheels was able to further strengthen its leading position in Europe.
Travel by train – save CO2
Increases on the Highway on Wheels automatically entail a relief for the environment. The shift of 313,500 trucks from road to rail (Highway on Wheels) alone allowed saving about 60,000 tons of CO2 in 2009.
Measures to overcome the crisis
The reaction to the decline in business as a result of the crisis was to take swift measures that focus on the optimisation of the structures and enhancement of sales activities.
Efficiency increase in production
Traction and – following detailed analysis – presumably also shunting services will be bundled in the newly founded ÖBB-Produktion GmbH. The aim of this strategy is to allow an even more efficient and flexible operation.
First results from the wagon procurement programme
The trend of the Rail Cargo Austria Group lies in the specialisation and modernisation of the wagon fleet. In 2009, 200 special WoodRailer wagons that can be used both for container and for wood transports and 500 wagons for container, wood and steel transport were delivered.
South-east corridor
With a block train concept that connects Central and Western Europe with South-Eastern Europe, Express-Interfracht in co-operation with its partners offers competitive logistics solutions from and to Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and Turkey. More than 2,400 trains were dispatched from Austria to these destinations in 2009.
Major orders: connecting railways
Rail Cargo Austria AG has been handling the gravel transports for the company Asamber between Steyrermühl and Linz-Kleinmünchen as well as transports for Streng Bau GmbH in Schönwies, Tyrol, since October 2009.
Facts
- Market position as Rail Cargo Austria Group strengthened:
# 2 in Europe
# 1 in CEE - 120.3m tons transported (+ 21.8m tons)
- EUR 2.3bn total returns
- More than 225,000 trucks transported with Highway on Wheels on Brenner