A spot rail freight facility is being offered by TX Logistik (TXL), providing shippers and other firms with the opportunity to move freight on European routes at short notice. It’s an increasingly popular type of service, as it enables firms to enter into short-term agreements, yet retain the possibility of increasing the service if successful.

There are no limits to spot transports, with services provided both nationally and internationally for containers, trailers and also for bulk cargo, for which TXL sees a lot of growth potential. It established its ‘spot’ department at the start of the year and during the first phase is focussing on the block train segment of spot transport.

Short notice

Requirements and volumes are increasing because container ships are becoming bigger and bigger and have to be handled at short notice. Low water levels in the Rhine areas of Germany have also, say TXL, presented unexpected additional business oppportunities for rail. While mainly using existing services in Germany and across Europe, the company is also looking to establish new routes.

Christain Runkel, Head of the Spot Transport department, said: “Over the past few years, we have found that there is significant demand for spot transport services by rail – this is why we have expanded our service range accordingly.

Spot business

“In the medium-term we would like to extend the service to wagon groups. Often a spot business develops into a regular business – this allows us to expand our network and to provide even more solutions for our customers.

“Due to strong volume fluctuations, it is already a challenge to include such business in a manageable weekly schedule. Weather-related aspects such as the recent low water period of the Rhine also have an impact on the demand situation.”