Hupac records slight increase in transport via Austria

Swiss intermodal transport operator Hupac felt the results of a weak economic environment in Italy in 2012 and responds to volatile demand

 
In the past year Hupac had to eat a humble pie. The Swiss intermodal transport operator transported a total of 646,214 road shipments by rail, representing a decrease of 10.7%. This decline is primarily attributable to weak demand due to the current economic crisis in Europe, especially in Italy, the major receiving market of Hupac transports, and higher competitive pressures on the road. A number of disruptions on the Gotthard line also had their impact on the result.
 
In the transalpine transports via Austria, Hupac achieved a slight increase of 0.7%, to 53,425 road shipments. “This was made possible by the high-capacity corridor, which allows the transport of modern, high-volume semi-trailers with a corner height of 4 meters”, they inform in a press release. Non-transalpine transports fell by 9.9%. The decline on the Benelux-Austria/Hungary/Romania, Benelux-Poland/Russia and Belgium-France/Spain routes was comparatively moderate.
 
By their own account Hupac has prepared early on for the economic downturn. On the market side, services were tightened by a moderate cutback in train circulations on some lines. Unprofitable services in a few peripheral areas were suspended. On the cost side, Hupac reduced its wagon fleet and adjusted terminal capacities. “Volatile markets are the new normal,” says Hupac’s managing director Bernhard Kunz.
 
Hupac based in Chiasso is the leading intermodal transport operator through the Swiss Alps and one of the market leaders in Europe. With a workforce of 400 employees, Hupac operates a network of more than 110 trains each day between Europe’s main economic areas and between the harbors and the hinterlands. In total Hupac is held by 100 shareholders.