Digitilisation is what will bring the New Silk Road further, and 2022 could be the year of change. “Together with our partners and EAEU neighbours, we are on the brink of introducing a unified waybill. I believe that the year 2022 will mark a breakthrough in the digitisation of rail services”, said the CEO of UTLC ERA Alexey Grom at an EAEU government meetingin Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan last month.

On 20 August, the members of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) signed a declaration of intent to support effective container transport services between Europe and China, and more specifically, support the digitalisation of this corridor. The document bears the signatures of Oleg Belozerov, Director and CEO of the Russian Railways (RZD), Nurlan Sauranbaev, CEO of the Kazakh Railway Company (Kazakhstan Temir Zholy) and the Director of the Belarusian Railway Vladimir Morozov.

Leading role for UTLC ERA

The aim is to further increase capacities in goods transport by rail and to enable the introduction of new technologies across the entire EAEU area. Broad gauge operator UTLC ERA, which transports almost 90 per cent of all China0Europe traffic on 1520 mm broad-gauge tracks, should become “the driving force behind the digitalisation processes within the EAEU.

Specifically, this means that UTLC ERA is going to contribute to the introduction of a unified EAEU procedure for goods transit. The parties intend that the measures planned should be implemented without creating additional costs for the customer.

‘Use our company for pilot projects’

The document regards digital transformation and the introduction of technological innovation as key factors in improving operational efficiency and reducing transaction costs for the entire Eurasian transport sector. Particular consideration is given to improving the environmental performance of rail transport and to carbon-free rail logistics in order to make rail more attractive for goods transport.

At the signing of the document, Grom offered to use his company for pilot projects: “Today, rail transport has a key role to play, particularly with regard to reducing CO 2 emissions and environmental pollution. By reinforcing these advantages, we would be prepared to run pioneering pilot projects and to implement innovative technological solutions on the railways. In this way we can drive forward not just Eurasian transit routes but the entire supply chain between China and Europe.”

RailFreight Live

This week in RailFreight Live, we talk about innovative solutions, and how they help the rail freight industry. We take a look at some interesting concepts, such as the foldable container of 4Fold. We also talk about the future of alternative fuels with the CEO of the brand new company NexRail. Our guests are Hans Broekhuis, CEO of 4FOLD Containers and Luuk von Meijenfeldt, CEO of NexRail.

Tune in at 1pm via this link, or watch it on our YouTube Channel any time after.