Nevomo MagRail Booster: a solution to freight challenges in the CEE region

In the age of a global movement towards green and efficient logistics solutions, the heart of Europe – Poland, where key East-West and North-South transport corridors intersect, is investing significantly in the expansion of transport infrastructure to meet the challenges of the freight sector, among others.

Efficient rail infrastructure, which is the only mode of transport capable of providing green and sustainable mobility in the region, is crucial. Can the MagRail technology become the transformational force that the transport industry of the CEE region need?

The European Investment Bank emphasizes the importance of filling the gaps in the Central and Eastern European transport system for the development of the region, bringing significant economic benefits. Rail freight transport in the region, despite its potential, is facing numerous problems. Outdated infrastructure, lack of technical interoperability between countries, strong competition from road transport and insufficient investment in the rail sector are just some of the obstacles. Furthermore, sustainable transport systems that reduce emissions are needed to meet environmental policy goals. In light of these challenges, Nevomo's MagRail Booster technology is noteworthy for its potential response.

Countries in the Central and Eastern European region, such as Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Romania and Bulgaria, are forced to compete with the developed countries of Western Europe, which have modern, high-speed and efficient rail infrastructure, although even these countries are now beginning to face capacity challenges on their rail systems. While the average commercial speed of freight trains in Poland is around 20-30km/h, in the west of the continent freight trains run at an average speed much higher. In many countries in the region, rail is losing out to road transport, which has greater accessibility and flexibility.

Lack of interoperability in many rail links between Central and Eastern European countries and Western Europe also do not help. In addition, inadequate cross-border connections, particularly in Romania and Bulgaria, significantly limit international transport options.

For rail freight transport to become much more competitive with road transport, in addition to increasing speed, it is necessary to ensure capacity and continuity of transport not only within the territory of European countries, but also between them. Continuity means, among other things, cross-border comparability of infrastructure standards, as well as the availability of multi-system locomotives, which is crucial for eliminating stops at border crossings, especially in transport processes that cross multiple borders.

But what if we do not need multisystem locomotives anymore?
In September 2023, Nevomo unveiled the MagRail Booster, the world's first solution that enables the modernization of existing railcars by introducing linear motor drive. This opens up new opportunities for automating traffic, electrifying infrastructure and improving rail transportation, primarily in the industrial and intermodal logistics segments. The system can be installed on non-electrified lines and freight cars equipped with the MagRail Booster can move independently without a locomotive, either in full train sets or as single units. Interestingly, they can autonomously connect and disconnect with other cars.

"MagRail Booster makes it possible to significantly increase capacity, flexibility and freight dynamics, even on non-electrified lines. Freight cars equipped with this technology can move independently, without a locomotive, both in full trainsets and individually. Importantly, the system allows automatic coupling and uncoupling of railcars, which is a breakthrough in the autonomization of freight railways,’ explains Ben Pączek, CEO of Nevomo.

The implementation of the MagRail Booster system could not only significantly improve rail freight transport in Central and Eastern European countries, but also become a milestone in its development throughout Europe, contributing to the competitiveness of rail as an environmentally friendly alternative to road transport.

The number of heavy goods road vehicles crossing the Polish borders in both transit traffic and intra-European exports and imports to and from Poland reaches tens of thousands of vehicles per day. On some cross-border routes, these streams constitute an equivalent of several dozen pairs of trains per day. Very few of those trucks carry containers. In fact, less than 2% of cross-border container traffic to and from Poland is carried by trucks. On the other hand, the logistics business in Europe relies on semitrailers that provide compatibility with other logistics equipment. Even if it is possible to load some of the intra-European cargo into containers, we need solutions that boost shifting of semitrailers onto railways.

The socio-economic goal over the coming decades is to shift the economy into a zero- or low-carbon mode. The construction of new nuclear power plants in Poland should allow to rapidly change the structure of its energy mix towards a low-carbon one, while ensuring high energy availability. Rail transport in Poland, despite the planned increases in operating performance and higher energy consumption by high-speed passenger trains and intermodal trains should be much more environmentally friendly than today.

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