L.I.T. Speditions GmbH establishes a multimodal transport network across Europe with a joint venture
For years, L.I.T. has been implementing multimodal transports for renowned customers and, with SmartRail Logistics GmbH, a joint venture with Captrain Deutschland GmbH, offers dedicated solutions. The logistics service provider is now establishing a multimodal transport network across Europe.
For Klaas Lange, Business Development at L.I.T. Speditions GmbH, the matter is clear: "There is no easier way to reconcile ecological and economic advantages than with multimodal transports. This is the future solution." Optimally implemented, multimodal transport has no disadvantages compared to the classic handling of a transport by road, neither procedurally nor commercially. L.I.T. offers two products for this: Dedicated and Network.
Successful "Dedicated Solution"
For the "Dedicated" product, SmartRail Logistics GmbH bundles the expertise of road and rail in one company and offers dedicated, intermodal transport systems from a single source – from door to door. For this purpose, classic combined transport has been further developed through the targeted linking of technical and organizational innovation fields. By using innovative technologies such as last-mile locomotives and the latest handling techniques, transport processes and actors are reduced.
On the other hand, a modern IT system ensures the targeted networking of all parties involved. "At SmartRail Logistics, we control exclusively our own assets along the entire transport chain. We close the gap between railway undertakings, operators, terminals, and freight forwarders to avoid margin accumulation and ensure very lean, targeted communication processes. Control is carried out by a central ControlTower and the use of a specially developed IT platform."
Since not every customer has the necessary volume for an individually structured overall system from SmartRail Logistics GmbH, but L.I.T. also wants to offer its customers multimodal solutions for individual FTL shipments, the Braker group of companies is currently building a network across the continent. "We have more than 20 years of experience with multimodal transports to and from England. We are using this knowledge for all of Europe," says Lange. For this, L.I.T. works with established partner companies to utilize the optimal rail, road, and ferry connections.
Started as a triangular transport
It started at the beginning of 2023 with a triangular connection from Germany to Spain, via England and back to Germany. Italy followed in the second half of the year. "We will gradually build up our network and add further countries. The hub structure makes it easier to connect new destinations and thus achieve corresponding economies of scale. A basic prerequisite is the use of a homogeneous trailer pool, which for us will consist exclusively of craneable megatrailers," he explains.
Advantage for the climate – and for colleagues
One of the great advantages of implementing a multimodal network is not only optimal utilization of existing cargo space capacities but also an improvement in the daily working lives of truck drivers. Because the long corridors are handled by rail, drivers are only responsible for the pre-carriage and on-carriage. This means that fewer drivers need to be deployed, and they also have more regulated working hours. "This way, we can also enable them to have a normal private life. This makes the profession of truck driver at L.I.T. more attractive," says Lange.
Development into a Trailer Operator
At the same time, the challenge is to balance the existing cargo flows. "This requires a high degree of planning to always have the right number of trailers and trucks in the right places in unbalanced markets and with volatile volumes. I like to call this balancing margins – in multimodal systems, the returns achieved per trailer must always be considered holistically, and no decisions should be made based on the evaluation of individual transports," says Lange. From his perspective, L.I.T. is developing into a trailer operator for multimodal transports, no longer just controlling the pulling units but also the towed units independently. For this, the teams are building up expertise to offer customers the highest possible quality.
The team is crucial
For Klaas Lange, his colleagues are crucial in all projects: "Such projects can only be tackled together with the right people. Without the team that fully commits itself, much would not be possible. You need people who stand behind their work, and we have them."