Bucharest International Rail Freight Terminal receives first intra-EU train

Nov. 2, 2012 - PRLog -- Tibbett Logistics, the operator of South-Eastern Romania’s prime intermodal rail terminal, has this week received the first scheduled train with intermodal wagons from Germany and Austria.  The new service will initially comprise two trains a week in each direction.

The first train arrived early on the morning of 29th October 2012 with 38 units – eight semi-trailers and 30 45’ pallet-wide continental containers, destined for import customers in the south east of Romania, primarily Bucharest and Ploiesti.

Tibbett Logistics has recently renamed the terminal as the Bucharest International Rail Freight Terminal, or BIRFT, because it has become clear to the company – which is part of the UK-based Keswick Enterprises Group – that a large proportion of the marketplace in Eastern Europe remains unaware that the services offered at the terminal go well beyond simple domestic road-rail transportation.

The open-access terminal is used to transfer shipping containers arriving on rail wagons to road trailers, and vice versa.  BIRFT is the only such facility in Romania operating regular scheduled block trains between Constanta Port and Bucharest, on both import and export movements.  Customers include the major shipping lines and freight forwarders, as well as direct users.

In addition, it is the only intermodal rail terminal offering CFS[1] and warehousing services within the terminal itself, linked directly to the rail tracks.  The terminal accommodates domestic and international conventional rail wagon traffic, and Tibbett Logistics combines these activities with conventional road transport.

Completing the services offered at the terminal are stripping/stuffing containers, customs clearance and transit operations, along with container management, repair and storage.

Tibbett Logistics CEO, David Goldsborough, commented: “We believe that – via the Port of Constanta – Romania is the natural entry point to Europe from the East and elsewhere.  Our aim is to facilitate the efficient transportation of goods from the Port to end-destinations throughout Europe, as well as from EU states back to Romania.

“Since the inception of our regular block trains between Constanta and Bucharest we have had many discussions with users and potential users regarding other rail-related services – including the handling of conventional wagons, where we already have an excellent infrastructure in place.  We have developed additional services so that we can customise the mix of rail-based and road-based transportation in either containers or conventional trucks – depending on the exact needs of the customer.  Given the increasing cost of diesel, this is being very well received by both existing clients and those coming to the service for the first time.”

Tibbett Logistics is Romania’s largest privately owned contract logistics specialist.  In addition to intermodal activities, it offers comprehensive supply chain management services to the automotive, textiles, retail and other FMCG sectors throughout Romania and across South East Europe.  It operates approximately 70,000 square metres of warehousing, plus a distribution fleet comprising tilt trailers, double- and triple-chamber reefers and container chassis – along with its own intermodal rail wagons.

High-resolution photographs are freely available for immediate download from:

1. http://www.tibbettlogistics.com/attachments/1351680316-BI...

2. http://www.tibbettlogistics.com/attachments/1349085779-BI...

Captions for the above images:

1. A semi-trailer from the first scheduled train with intermodal wagons to arrive from Germany and Austria at BIRFT, the Bucharest International Rail Freight Terminal, is transferred to a road vehicle by ‘Big George’ on 29 October.  The terminal is operated by Tibbett Logistics, part of the UK-based Keswick Enterprises Group

2. Regular scheduled trains to and from Austria, Germany, Benelux, Italy and other Western European countries are now being handled through BIRFT - the Bucharest International Rail Freight Terminal

NOTE FOR EDITORS

About The Keswick Enterprises Group
Tibbett Logistics is wholly owned by The Keswick Enterprises Group Ltd – the UK-based private equity company specialising in logistics and supply chain-related services. Formed in 2004, the Group makes strategic investments and acquisitions in supply chain-related companies – where through proactive management it can add know-how and experience. It has reinforced incumbent managements and invested resources to extend capabilities.

Keswick Enterprises is headed by John Harvey CBE, former Executive Chairman of the intercontinental logistics giant Tibbett & Britten Group plc.

See also http://www.tibbettlogistics.com and http://www.keswickenterprises.com

[1] Container Freight Station.