ERS
"An approach from the opportunity angle"
European Rail Shuttle B.V. (ERS) was established in
1994 by its founders Royal Nedlloyd, Sealand Service
and P&O Containers, with the aim to transport
containers throughout Europe in an effective - and
cost efficient way. Soon after the start of the operations
also Maersk joined the joint venture.
Operations started with 3 weekly trains between Rotterdam
and Germersheim and 4 weekly trains between Rotterdam
and Melzo (Milan). The inland destinations were chosen
for its strategic locations, close to important industrial
centers.
As per March 2000, after various re-organizations
within the shareholders, ERS' shareholders became Maersk
Sealand and P&O Nedlloyd.
As per early 2006 ERS became a fully owned subsidiary of AP Möller - Maersk Group.
Although ERS operated during the last years in a constrained
railway environment, it has been rather successful.
ERS' success is surely based on the availability of
the base volume of the two shareholders, which ensured
and still ensures continuity and long term stability.
Still also volumes of third parties have been contributing
to the success of the organization.
Furthermore ERS has entered in to selective alliances
and has set up co-operations with like minded logistics
partners, which have resulted in the achievement of
economies of scale.
As from the start ERS has offered its services to
third parties.
In June 2000 ERS took a 47% share in boxXpress.de,
an extensive network of shuttle trains, connecting
the German seaports with the south of Germany. Today
boxXpress.de carries about 1000 teu per day!
Today ERS operates an extensive rail shuttle network
in Continental Europe. There are more than 250 train
departures per week, interlinking Rotterdam and the
German seaports with around 20 destinations.
ERS calls at Belgium / Luxembourg ( Athus ), Germany ( Duisburg, Mainz, Germersheim,
Neuss, Munchen, Augsburg, Nurnberg, Stuttgart and
Kornwestheim), Italy (Melzo and Padova), Czech Republic
(Prague), Slovak Republic (Bratislava), Hungary (Budapest)
and Poland (Warsaw and Gadki). The latest train connections
are between Slovenia and Hungary (Koper, Szombathely
and Budapest), Bulgaria (Sofia) and Greece (Thessaloniki)
and from Germany (Hamburg) to Denmark (Taulov).
ERS' shuttle trains are scheduled trains with fixed
capacities, departures and arrival times, offering
direct service connections, ensuring a first class
service.
Rail transport in Europe has the future and ERS will
be part of it!
Facts?
- Since October 2002 ERS Railways,
a new railway company and a full subsidiary of ERS,
is operational. The number of intermodal units carries
by ERS has grown from 22.000 teu in 1994, via 363.000
teu in 2002 and 412.000 teu in 2003, to 494.000
teu in 2004.
- ERS Railways runs the ERS trains
to and from Rotterdam to all the German, Italian, Czech, Polish and Belgian
destinations. Presently about 80 shuttles of ERS (European
Rail Shuttle) per week are driven by ERS Railways.
- 280 trains per week, 50 weeks a year, gives you
14.000 trains per year
In the Boxxpress system following shuttle
trains are operated:
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