FloraHolland facilitates this project for the floriculture sector as a whole and focuses on the development and implementation of this logistics service for the sector. FloraHolland organizes the pilots and contributes to expansion of the consortium.

FloraHolland faciliteert dit project voor de sierteeltsector als geheel en richt zich op de ontwikkeling en implementatie van deze logistieke dienst voor de sector. FloraHolland organiseert de pilots en draagt bij aan het opbouwen van het consortium.

The last rail initiatives took place over eight years ago. Much has changed in the meantime, including in the rail cargo sector itself. In recent years, rail transportation has developed into a reliable alternative to road transportation. In addition, the design of this initiative differs greatly from previous initiatives, partly because lessons learnt in the past have been taken on board.

Logistics service provider e-logistics Control is the supply chain manager and is responsible for operational management of transportation. By contracting out this role, a high degree of reliability is ensured throughout the chain, from the exporter to the end user.

The containers are so-called reefer containers equipped with diesel electric motors that make it possible to cool the containers independently for approximately 10 consecutive days.

Containers are equipped with a GPS/GPRS system that provides constant information on its whereabouts, and control of temperature conditions.

Determining whether rail transport is an option for you depends on the type of product you wish to transport, your client, and the destination. Rail transportation is particularly suitable for: scheduled trade that does not require delivery within 14 hours, and destinations that are further a field, within 600 kilometers of Rotterdam. In the current phase of the GreenRail project, containers with plants are being transported. It is anticipated that in future, flowers will also be transported by rail. If you would like to transport floriculture products by rail, please contact michielvanveen@floraholland.nl.

After each delivery, an evaluation is conducted to identify areas for improvement. On completion of the pilots, an evaluation report will be published at the end of spring 2010 in order to share the amassed knowledge with the whole sector.

In these pilots, containers with plants are being transported. It is anticipated that in future, flowers and other fresh produce will also be transported by rail. On request, this can already be considered occasionally. Product quality is paramount. As such, this process is being carefully planned and developed.

Along with VGB, FloraHolland is represented on the Sneller Spoor and HST Cargo initiative groups. Both are dedicated to developing faster goods transportation by rail from the Netherlands to European destinations. The current pilots complement this remit and could provide a blueprint for the use of faster rail links throughout Europe.