Helrom puts trailers on rail for Audi

The first block train in a new trailer on rail service connecting Lébény in Hungary and Regensburg in Germany made its journey this week.

The new service and background to the Helrom horizontal rail system for loading road trailers to rail cars without lifting was reported in this story from October 2023. At that time it was not known that the cargo owner was Audi AG.

“The new Helrom Trailer Rail connection is part of AUDI AG’s logistics chain and connects the supply of materials for the three Audi sites in Ingolstadt, Neckarsulm and Gyor via the rail route from Regensburg in Germany to Lébény in Hungary. The project is a cooperation between AUDI AG, the Duvenbeck logistics group, bayernhafen and Helrom,” Helrom said in a statement.

The new connection is part of AUDI AG’s Mission:Zero sustainability strategy. Using exclusive block trains and Helrom equipment 18 wagons carrying 36 trailers can complete a 1,000km round trip (Regensburg-Lébény-Regensburg) in just 24 hours, including loading and unloading at both ends.  “This means that 72 trucks are shifted from road to rail every day from Monday to Friday, resulting in a weekly reduction in truck transport performance of around 185,000 kilometres,” Helrom said. This is estimated to save 11,500 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

“With our innovative technology, we are overcoming the barriers of previous intermodal transport,” said Roman Noack, CEO of Helrom. “By eliminating the need for special terminals for loading semi-trailers, we are integrating ourselves smarter into the supply chains, completely without detours. We are also faster and more reliable than previous intermodal transport. The efficient networking of different technologies and transport routes such as road and rail to form a Physical Internet of Semi-Trailers via Helrom hubs as smart interfaces is key to achieving climate targets in freight transport.”

Horizontal wagon loading systems for trailers have been around for a long time, but with very limited commercial success. Noack said this project got off the ground because of the “shared vision between Audi, Duvenbeck, Helrom and bayernhafen. The project shows that innovative technology makes it possible to harmonise environmentally friendly solutions with economic interests and social concerns.” he said.

Helrom also now has government support in the form of €15 million in funding from the Federal Ministry for Digital and Transport as part of the federal program “Future Rail Freight Transport”.

Audi AG is getting onboard. “Consistent decarbonisation is one of our central challenges in the supply chain. At Audi, we are pursuing a holistic approach to optimising the logistics processes between our suppliers and our plants. This project shows that we are also integrating innovative and climate-friendly solutions from partners in our supply chain,” said Dieter Braun, Head of Supply Chain AUDI AG.

Norbert Joichl, COO South/East Duvenbeck, added that intermodal block train concepts are an important part of its strategy to reduce CO2 emissions. “In addition to the train handling by Helrom, we will use alternative technologies in the pre- and onward carriage,” he added.

Bayernhafen Managing Director Joachim Zimmermann expects to see more trailers at its terminal in the future. “In combined transport today, we mainly see containers. Now we are looking at solutions for the large trailer volumes on continental routes. We are open to all proposed solutions here. With the trailer port, we have set the course for this segment in particular at an early stage.”