{"id":4716,"date":"2024-10-23T12:24:22","date_gmt":"2024-10-23T10:24:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ibs-ev.com\/?p=4716"},"modified":"2025-04-29T17:29:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T15:29:29","slug":"52nd-ibs-congress-on-october-10-and-11-2024-in-istanbul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ibs-ev.com\/en\/events\/congresses\/52nd-ibs-congress-on-october-10-and-11-2024-in-istanbul\/","title":{"rendered":"52nd IBS Congress on October 10 and 11, 2024 in Istanbul"},"content":{"rendered":"

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=””]The 52nd Congress of the International Rail Freight Business Association (IBS) took place on October 10 and 11, 2024 in the dynamic metropolis of Istanbul. Over 60 participants came together to discuss the latest developments in rail freight transport, particularly in Southeast Europe.<\/p>\n

The congress began on October 10 with a workshop on the development of rail freight transport in and with Southeast Europe, moderated by representatives of the Rail Cargo Group from Austria, the central access point to Southern Europe. The participants were given exciting insights into the economic and political development of south-eastern Europe, which revealed some surprisingly positive growth prospects. Despite existing challenges, such as inadequate infrastructure and a lack of political support in some countries, a fundamentally positive development trend was identified.<\/p>\n

The comments on the role of the European Union, which is driving forward the expansion of rail freight transport in the region through targeted activities, were particularly impressive. The Rail Cargo Group sees Southeast Europe as a promising growth market and plans to further expand its multimodal TransNet network with new TransFer corridor trains. Since December 2023, it has also been pioneering the use of the Marmaray railroad tunnel under the Bosporus for freight trains.<\/p>\n

This workshop also presented existing and planned multimodal transport solutions in Serbia as well as new offers to expand train services along the central route of the Silk Road. They also discussed how IBS members can intensify their cooperation in this up-and-coming region.
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Focus on combined transport<\/h3>\n

In the second part of the workshop, moderated by UIRR Director General Ralf Charley Schultze, the focus was on current offers and planned train connections in combined transport. Companies such as Rail Cargo Operator, Kombiverkehr, CFL and TOP from Serbia presented their current projects. A following panel discussion dealt with topics such as the insufficient availability of routes, the expansion of terminals for combined transport and the increasing demand for transport solutions for non-craneable trailers.<\/p>\n

In particular, the transportation of non-craneable trailers by rail will continue to occupy IBS in the coming months and years. The workshop also offered participants the opportunity to exchange ideas about successful solutions in this area.<\/p>\n

The IBS rounded off the first day of the congress with a traditional Turkish dinner, which underlined the welcoming nature of the hosts and provided participants with an ideal opportunity for networking.
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IBS General Assembly and Special Forum<\/h3>\n

The IBS General Assembly took place on October 11 at the Kalyon conference hotel. The activities of the Executive Board since the last congress in Helsinki in spring 2024 and the current financial status were presented here. Participants were also informed about the progress of various innovative projects initiated by the IBS.<\/p>\n

The subsequent special forum on the topic of \u201cWhat steps can be taken to increase offers for the transportation of non-craneable trailers by rail\u201d was particularly exciting. Representatives from companies such as Vega, VTG, Cargobeamer and CFL presented technological options for carrying out these transports. It became clear that the demand for such solutions will continue to increase in the coming years – not least due to rising CO2 certificate costs.<\/p>\n

IBS has therefore set itself the goal of driving this topic forward with specific projects and increased cooperation with system providers and shippers. As the absolute majority of road transport in Europe is still carried out with non-craneable trailers, the market for rail transport in this area is enormous.
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Closing of the congress<\/h3>\n

At the end of the congress, IBS organized a guided city tour through the amazing and historic city of Istanbul with its important monuments in a turbulent and unique atmosphere.<\/p>\n

The IBS Board would like to thank all the organizers, especially our Turkish colleagues from the Rail Cargo Group, for their excellent support in preparing and running this successful congress.<\/p>\n

We look forward to the next IBS Congress, which will be held in Munich from June 2 to 5, 2025 as part of the Transport and Logistics Fair with separate events, and to the Autumn Congress 2025, which will again be held in a region with significant developments in rail freight transport.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator][vc_column_text css=””]<\/p>\n

52th IBS Congress in Istanbul<\/h2>\n

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