The year in review was strong for rail logistics
There were further improvements in operational efficiency.
The average size of a freight train increased by almost eight per cent from 2012 and amounted to 406 tonnes. The proportion of electric traction increased by two per cent and now accounts for nearly 67 per cent of all traffic.
The time spent on shunting at rail yards decreased, a result of more detailed transport planning, improved operating models and the introduction of new technology. More efficient trunk transports and shunting operations helped to improve productivity.
VR Transpoint invested in production, sales and customer care processes in 2013. Customer satisfaction remained at a good level.
Construction of CET terminal in Kouvola continued
The construction of VR Transpoint's Cargo East Terminal (CET) in Kouvola continued in 2013. The terminal, which is located in Kouvola, will help rationalise the transport of mass goods from Finland to the east and will guarantee efficient and environmentally friendly operations well into the future. The new terminal will combine road and rail traffic into a smoothly functioning system. The use of intermediate storage facilities will make it possible to assemble consignments arriving by road and rail and to efficiently deliver the goods to the growing markets in the east in sufficiently large shipments.
The reorganisation of rail logistics production, which began in 2012, was completed in 2013. It resulted in a nationwide production organisation, which replaced regional operations. The changes involved the elimination of a number of upper supervisory tasks at the regional level and the appointment of additional supervisors working with shop floor employees.
Accident frequency rate at rail yards declined
The new organisational model proved successful by making operations more efficient and also by improving occupational and train safety. The accident frequency rate at rail yards decreased by approximately 25 per cent compared with 2012, while the frequency deviations in shunting dropped by approximately 20 per cent during the same period. At the same time, the efficiency of rail yard operations improved by more than three per cent compared with 2012. The use of radio control in traditional rail yard work expanded. The most important new locations introducing the system were Joensuu and Siilinjärvi.
Eastbound transports increased
Total volumes in rail logistics rose by 3.3 per cent from the previous year to 36.4 million tonnes. Domestic traffic remained more or less at the previous year's levels, while traffic over Finland's eastern border increased by approximately 20 per cent. The increase in domestic and eastern traffic was the result of higher transport volumes and new customers.
The divestment of a number of international companies at the beginning of 2013 and the divestment of the groupage business in 2012 will have a negative impact on the overall figures. There was a slight increase in the volume of the continuing business compared with 2012.
Read more about logistics profit from the Board of Directors' Report
