Presentations of the CIPROC Conference Amsterdam

CO-modality starts here

From single mode promotion to intermodal promotion

This was the title of the conference organised by the Shortsea Promotion Centre (SPC) Holland (in cooperation with NEA) on 26 and 27 June 2008 in the Victoria Hotel Amsterdam.

This conference was the final action of the EU funded CIPROC project (Co-operative Intermodal Promotion Centre). The aim of the project is to facilitate Shortsea Promotion Centres in becoming Intermodal Promotion Centres with an emphasis on shortsea transport.

Promotion of intermodal transport towards decision makers is necessary to make them aware, to give them information and knowledge to be able to start using intermodal transport services.

The conference was opened by chairman Mannes Boelen of the Port of Amsterdam. First speaker was Patrick Norroy of DG TREN of the European Commission, he explained about the European policy and goals on intermodal transport.

Then Marcel Huschebeck of PTV, the project leader of CIPROC introduced the project which was followed by the Five SPC’s (Finland, Lithuania, Romania, the Netherlands and UK), who took part in the final demonstration project. They each informed the audience what kind of activities they had carried out. The other speakers represented both the intermodal sector, as well as the users of intermodal transport.

Under the heading “How intermodal are operators?” Paul Swaak of Samskip Multimodal Container Logistics, Prof. Sten-Olof Hansen of Langh Ship (Finland) and Jean-Philippe Florijn of Kombiverkehr gave their views on what operators already offer and can do to make intermodal transport attractive.

If that is the case was answered on the second day in the theme “Why does the decision maker choose intermodal transport?”. This question was answered by Edwin Wenink of Flora Holland, Mark Warner of Den Hartogh Logistics and Remco Rohaan of DHL Freight. These different types of companies (shipper, tank container operator and forwarder) gave their view on what the key elements for them are to choose intermodal transport.

The conference was closed with two speakers, who gave ideas on “How to improve your intermodal performance?”. Arjen Heeres of Quintiq gave information on how a IT system can facilitate choosing intermodal transport and at the same time save money. Jan Koolen of Unit45 BV informed the audience about the many different types of 45ft pallet wide containers which content is similar to that of a trailer.