AGORA Spring Meeting 2025 at SBB Cargo in Lörrach

Lörrach/Basel – The first AGORA meeting of the year took place in Lörrach near Basel at the invitation of SBB Cargo. Colleagues Stefan Fiechter, Raven Schäfer and Bruno Fischer organised an impressive programme that offered both exciting insights and networking opportunities – including a harbour tour with a view of the planned Basin 3 of the Gateway Basel Nord project.

The focus was on current developments at SBB Cargo, such as the restructuring programme in single wagonload traffic for economic reorientation or the Suisse Cargo Logistik project, which envisages a national combined transport network with up to 14 terminals. We were surprised by one key premise: no semi-trailers or swap bodies are to be handled in the future high-frequency network within Switzerland. The background to this is the further premise of a high degree of automation. This requirement is difficult to reconcile with the more time-consuming grab handling and the necessary manual processes such as cranking the support legs. Market players will be given a reasonable time to shift to top-lift capable equipment. The AGORA Group will follow these consistent plans with great interest.

In the AGORA agenda that followed, interesting survey results were presented, for example on the development of handling in the year 2024 (See our latest news article), on incentive models for error-free working and on alternative lighting concepts. The latter are particularly needed where conventional floodlight masts are not sufficient, e.g. for wide crane modules and shading in track aisles. Members identified ground-level bollard or rail base luminaires and low track aisle lighting as effective alternatives. In addition, one member is currently testing an intelligent crane lighting solution – the first results are eagerly awaited.

The survey on incentives for error-free work showed that bonus models for attendance, quality (low damage rate) and safety (accident prevention) are popular. Technical solutions such as soft landing systems that physically prevent damage are seen as particularly effective. The open handling of self-reported errors and constructive teamwork were also highlighted as success factors.

Finally, a joint position paper on terminal automation was initiated. The aim is to develop a standardised formulation and understanding of automated crane handling in particular and to make it available to the industry – a topic that will also be further developed in future meetings.

Many thanks to the SBB Cargo team for the invitation, the excellent organisation and the inspiring insights!

About AGORA Intermodal Terminals

The AGORA Intermodal Terminals working group was established in 2011 as part of an EU-funded project. Its aim is to bring terminal operators together to encourage the exchange of information and ideas, promote mutual learning, and foster best practices in terminal management, capacity expansion, and improved cooperation with intermodal operators, railway undertakings, and other stakeholders in intermodal transport.

Currently, AGORA consists of 20 member companies operating over 60 intermodal terminals with a combined capacity of around 5 million loading units. The AGORA secretariat is managed by KombiConsult GmbH, based in Frankfurt am Main, Germany.

For more information, visit: www.intermodal-terminals.eu