Improving the Rail Network Transport

FIRRST STAKEHOLDERS’ ALLIANCE

+FIRRST: Pioneering a New Era of Integrated Rail-Road Freight Transport in Europe

The +FIRRST Alliance (Flexible, Integrated Rail-Road System for Transport) is an ambitious and transformative initiative spearheaded by FERRMED, in close collaboration with ESC, IRU, UIRR and MCRIT. It aims to revolutionize freight mobility across Europe by establishing a flexible, real-time, demand-driven combined transport system capable of moving truck semi-trailers, containers, and swap-bodies efficiently via rail. This innovative “Mobility as a Service” approach integrates the adaptability of road logistics with the environmental and economic benefits of rail, addressing the stagnation in modal shift and aligning with the EU’s objective of transferring 30% of land freight to rail. The +FIRRST concept rests on a backbone of interoperable, high-capacity trains operating over the EU’s extended core network, equipped with real-time rolling planning systems and pass-through terminals designed for swift, seamless transshipments.

To turn vision into action, the +FIRRST Stakeholders’ Alliance has been formed, gathering promoters, implementers, and supporters across the logistics spectrum. With ESC, IRU, UIRR, FERRMED, and MCRIT leading the effort, the alliance is actively preparing a proof-of-concept focused on a pilot route linking Rotterdam, Antwerp, and Duisburg with Barcelona via strategic intermodal hubs. Initial funding requirements, software development for real-time path allocation, and the procurement of multipurpose wagons and dual-mode locomotives have been mapped out. Stakeholder engagement is accelerating, with infrastructure managers, logistics operators, and EU institutions already involved or being approached. This collaborative framework sets the stage for a real-world demonstration of the system’s viability, scheduled to begin with a limited but scalable deployment that could soon redefine the logistics landscape of the continent.

COLLABORATING ENTITIES

ATEIA-OLTRA FETEIA
Autoridad Portuaria de Cartagena Gremi de Transports i Logística de Catalunya
Cambra de Comerç de Reus IRU
Cambra de Contractistes d’Obres de Catalunya Mcrit
CIMALSA PIMEC
Consorci de la Zona Franca de Barcelona Port de Barcelona
DAMM Port de Tarragona
ESC Sertrans
FERRMED UETR
UIRR

OUR WORKING GROUPS

In order to convey properly the aims of our members and to facilitate the achievement of the objectives of our association, we propose the creation of three working groups.

INFRASTRUCTURE

The development of railway infrastructures in the European Union (particularly in the Core Network) and also in neighbouring countries and even in the Euro-Asian scenario in order to facilitate the passage of freight trains according to current potential demand and taking into account the postulates of the “FERRMED Standards”.

Read more
OPERATIONS

Harmonization and simplification of processes, rates, path allocation, free competition with non-discriminatory access to lines, traceability, unification of management in order to facilitate the passage of freight trains with an appropriate level of quality at competitive cost levels and an optimization of the intermodal process.

Read more
ROLLING STOCK

The development of railway rolling stock (locomotives, wagons and other related rolling material) in order to improve performance and make freight traffic more profitable, safer, more efficient, more compatible with intermodality and more respectful to the environment in the European Union and in neighbouring countries.

Read more

    JOIN US

    If you are interested to be associated to FERRMED, ASBL, please don’t hesitate to send your request.

    PRESENTATION OF THE FERRMED FAST, FLEXIBLE INTEGRATED RAIL-ROAD SYSTEM OF TRANSPORT (+FIRRST)

    A key tool to achieve the European Green Deal targets and best “investment to results” ratio in the Global Logistics chain enhancement Fifth Eurasian Connectivity and Industrial Cooperation Forum (Europe)

    CONFERENCE INFORMATION

    NEWS AND EVENTS

    FERRMED conference 2023

    4.12.2023 / by Efrain Larrea / 0 comments

    https://ferrmed.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/09_00_1_Karima_Delli.mp4 Presentation of the definitive solution to the European environmental mobility challenge​ The European Parliament Committee on Transport describes the FERRMED study as a key tool to guide upcoming infrastructure investments. The contribution provides the only solution to promote rail…

    FERRMED visited the LFP installations

    5.07.2023 / by Efrain Larrea / 0 comments

    On July 3rd, a representation of FERRMED (Joan Amorós, Josep Ma. Ojea and Valentí Ambròs) visited, accompanied by Petros Papaghiannakis, the installations of the LFP Perthus (Línea Figueras Perpignan) in Llers and Le Perhus, where the Control centre is placed.