Enabling Modal Shift through Smart Visibility

Modal Shift - a matter of urgency

The transport sector accounts for 25% of the CO2 emissions in the EU; a high percentage is borne by freight transport. Yet, this sector has failed to reduce its emissions in the past 30 years. The predominant way of shipping goods is by road, with all its well-known negative effects for the environment. Forecasts state an ongoing increase of freight volumes, whilst decarbonizing the sector will take many years, if not decades. Thus, a modal shift becomes a matter of urgency.

Combined Transport is the way ahead

Shifting freight from road to rail is the most effective way to decrease CO2 emissions; leading to a reduction up to 80%. Yet, access to rail has not been that easy for shippers. This applies also to combined transport (CT). Shippers usually do not have full insight into CT services offered, as various providers are involved along the transport chain. In turn, CT provider are missing visibility as to which shippers' transport flows could have the potential to create new combined transport services. Now, MATCH2RAIL can address this!

The MATCH2RAIL solution



We align door-to-door freight flows with already existing combined transport services. Thus, shippers and LSPs can easily identify attractive options to shift their flows from road to rail.


We build 'virtual trains' by bundling and matching flows provided by various shippers and LSPs. Thus, we are expanding demand to achieve the required critical mass for new and more efficient combined transport services.

How it works

Upload your flows

  • easy and convenient upload via MS Excel template file
  • proven trustee concept
  • confidentiality and data protection

Check your flows

  • Align your provided door-to-door freight flows with already existing combined transport services
  • Check connections and services offered by various combined transport operators and forwarders
  • Identify feasible options to shift your flows by defining your specific requirements (e.g. catchment area, transit time, etc)

Match your flows

  • Continuous collection and matching of freight flows provided by various shippers and LSPs 
  • Build new ('virtual') trains
  • Bring 'virtual' trains in operation

FAQ

What is the benefit for a shipper / LSP to subscribe?

With MATCH2RAIL you get a turnkey solution to learn about the potential of combined transport (CT) for your door-to-door freight. By uploading your current and planned flows, MATCH2RAIL aligns these with current capabilities published by various CT operators and forwarders across Europe. This allows you to conveniently identify the potential of shifting your loads from road to rail, based on your specific parameters (e.g. transit time). In addition, your flows are being bundled to ‘virtual trains’ in case no attractive CT service is (yet) available.

I am a combined transport forwarder / operator – why should I participate?

By providing your capabilities, we can match your services with shipper flows and identify feasible matches. Thus, you can become visible to shippers who want to shift their freight from road to rail. Providing your capabilities is easy: just upload your current services (terminal to terminal connections incl. first and last mile trucking), using an MS Excel template file. Once uploaded to the M2R platform, you can conveniently edit or update your network capabilities.

How does the matching process work exactly and what happens after a match?

MATCH2RAIL continuously aligns and matches provided freight flows from shippers with services stated by combined transport forwarders. This is based on the parameters defined by the shipper and the capabilities stated by the CT forwarder in the MATCH2RAIL platform. Shippers are notified about a successful match and receive details about the respective CT forwarder(s). 

How do you ensure that there is a fair matching of the same service provided by several CT forwarders / operators?

We notify shipper about all feasible matches with services that have been stated by CT forwarders. This is based on the parameters defined by the shipper and the capabilities stated by the CT forwarder in the MATCH2RAIL platform. Thus, all forwarders are being treated equally. MATCH2RAIL is a neutral platform and does not give any recommendation to shippers, but leaves the shipper to decide which CT forwarder(s) to contact on a feasible match.

Is MATCH2RAIL additional competition to established CT forwarders and operators?

MATCH2RAIL does not intend to compete with intermodal operators and freight forwarders in combined transport. Primarily, MATCH2RAIL is intended for shippers and LSPs who are not using rail freight today. MATCH2RAIL allows to create viable scenarios to shift additional flows from road to rail. In doing so, MATCH2RAIL needs established  intermodal operators and freight forwarders in the market, who can expand existing lines or build new ones based on these additional transport volumes.

What are ‘virtual trains’ and how can they create value-add?

In case no attractive combined transport service does yet exist, we are consolidating and bundling various flows provided by different shippers. Once the critical mass for a new connection (‘virtual train’) is reached, we seek to introduce a new service for this route. Thus, we are expanding demand for new combined transport services which consequently creates more attractive offers on the market.

What is the minimum shipment size to match?

The minimum shipment size is a single full truck load (FTL). This can be stated in different loading unit types, e.g. semi-trailer, swap body, ISO container, etc.

What geographical scope do you cover?

MATCH2RAIL covers all countries within Europe, including Turkey.

Do you also match quotes?

No. MATCH2RAIL is a neutral platform and leaves it with the shipper to decide which CT forwarder(s) to contact on a successful match. Thus, MATCH2RAIL is not involved in any further exchange between shipper and CT forwarder regarding quotation, pricing, terms and conditions, etc.

What exactly is combined transport (CT)?

Combined transport is intermodal transport where the major part of the European journey is by rail, inland waterways or sea and any initial and/or final legs carried out by road are as short as possible.

Who provides the MATCH2RAIL service?

The Match2Rail (M2R) service has been co-developed by the supply chain collaboration experts digi-trust.EU and the modal shift initative shift2030. The contractual party for the M2R service is digi-trust.EU B.V.

How is my data protected?

The matching platform is GDPR compliant.  All data is stored on servers located in the EU. All shipper ID’s on the M2R platform are assigned an anonymous random shipper code at registration. Shipper identity is known only to the neutral trustees and will only be shared with the express written consent of the shipper.

Pricing


Forwarder and Operator


0,-




Access to M2R platform

Upload and edit CT services

Receive enquiries from shippers

Free Support





Shipper (S)


49,-

EUR per month (*)


up to 500 FTL p.a.

Access to M2R platform

Upload and edit freight flows

Match flows with CT services

Virtual Trains

Free Support




Shipper (M)


89,-

EUR per month (*)


up to 2.500 FTL p.a.

Access to M2R platform

Upload and edit freight flows

Match flows with CT services

Virtual Trains

Free Support




Shipper (L)


129,-

EUR per month (*)


up to 5.000 FTL p.a.

Access to M2R platform

Upload and edit freight flows

Match flows with CT services

Virtual Trains

Free Support



(*) Introductory offer valid for new subscriptions until 31/12/2022. All prices excluding VAT, if applicable. 12 months subscription required. For more than 5.000 FTL p.a., please contact us.

About shift2030

The initiative shift2030 brings those together who are committed to work on a modal shift. We follow a hands-on, action oriented approach in close cooperation with the market and decision makers. Our work is focused on ACTION(S): we demonstrate fresh ideas and innovative technologies that can vitalize rail freight with the ambition to achieve the demanding climate targets for the EU transportation sector by 2030. Learn more...

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