Vida XL goes for rail with new Venlo-Poznan connection

The Netherlands and Poland have just acquired a new rail freight connection. The new intermodal train connecting Venlo and Poznan commenced on Monday, 4 October, and provides space for the transport of non-cranable trailers.

The train is organized by MTHODE, a transport management and development firm based in the Netherlands, for the transport company LKW Walter and  VidaXL, the international online retailer. As Thom Derks, director at MTHODE narrates, the train is an answer to the congested roads and a clear ‘sign for the market’ regarding the future of transport.

Major players

The online retailer has made a conscious choice for rail, moving away from the road. Matthijs Zwart from the company states: “The current transport market, driver shortage and congestion on the road network are forcing the business community to roll out alternative concepts. For VidaXL this is one of the steps being taken to achieve a solid transport network within Europe and to prepare for the expected (significant) growth of vidaXL”
The company acknowledges that the transport of trailers by rail is a reliable and clean alternative. Overall, with the Venlo-Poznan train, VidaXL will reduce its road transport covered distances by 24 million kilometres per year. “This train is a sign for the market because we see two big customers turning to rail”, says Derks. “Simultaneously, we have a growing demand for more companies to board the train, a thing that will happen soon”.

We start with four trips, and we go to six

The train uses the Cabooter Terminal in Greenport Venlo as its departure point from the Netherlands. The loading technology used is from VTG. For now, the service will offer four weekly roundtrips, while in November, it will increase to five. “Our goal is to provide six roundtrips per week”, explains Derks, who aims to intensify the service as much as possible.
As for the transported cargo, it consists of all types of goods, according to the customer’s needs. That is why it also includes the transport of non-cranable trailers. “It is an open train for all,” concludes Derks, “more customers are welcome to join, and we already have two or three possible partners that could start with us soon”.