Project description
Effective eco-friendly cargo transfer
The cargo industry faces a twofold objective: to reduce costs in transhipment and decrease CO2 emissions via more efficiency in cargo transfer and less fuel consumption. The multifunctional container transfer system (M-CTS) proposes the faster transfer of containers between semi-trailers and train wagons to make the rail/road cargo more effective and reduce environmental burden. The EU-funded M-CTS project will realise technical improvements as well as a strategic business plan targeting the international cargo market. In addition, it will conduct market research to ensure the commercial effectiveness of the product. The project has the backing of a consortium of companies with industrial knowledge and experience.
Objective
The overall vision is to bring our patented M-CTS solution to full market maturation, to pilot and to arrive at its commercialisation as a disruptive hydraulic mechanism that enables seamless and horizontal transfer of a container between semi-trailer and train wagon (or vice-versa) 3 times faster than current solutions. The seamless transfer between truck and train is the core to solve the limitations and unlock the potential of combined road/rail freight. M-CTS decreases OPEX, has 84% lower CAPEX for intermodal ports infrastructure and overall efficient use of space. M-CTS is rooted in the clear market-pull caused by the freight industry need to increase its efficiency and decrease environmental impact. It is the result of a previous EU-funded project leading to a verified and demonstrated prototype (TRL7) and confirmed the commercial and economic viability. For this project SLG developed a roadmap for technical improvements and a strategic business plan to enter the global freight market. Our FTI approach is to execute these plans, technically advance the M-CTS to TRL8 (WP1) and qualify the service in real-life operations to reach TRL9 (WP2). To support commercial viability, we will conduct a range of market maturation activities in WP4-5 and secure FTO and final business innovation plan in WP6. We bring together a strong consortium, the lead SME (SLG) with deep industry knowledge have teamed up with the world-class hydraulics manufacturer, JOST, and a large rail freight operator target user (Lineas), to successfully market launch and scale-up the ground-breaking M-CTS. M-CTS will create a measurable consortium impact - as accumulated revenues of €363m for the 5-year post-project, with accumulated net income of €113m and employment growth of 43 FTEs, and 120 FTEs in our value chain. Further, we will enable total cost savings for users of €100m in transshipment costs, and decreased CO2 emissions due to less fuel consumption of reach stacker or vertical cranes.
Fields of science
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
IA - Innovation actionCoordinator
1030 BRUXELLES
Belgium