ERFCP into ESC

The European Shippers’ Council (ESC) and the European Rail Freight Customers’ Platform (ERFCP) have signed a memorandum of Understanding paving the way for the merger of ERFCP into ESC

The two organizations have worked together representing the interest of shippers and the ESC was a founding member of the rail group when it was formed in 2001. Both trade associations seek a rail network in Europe which supports expanding, reliable, accessible, efficient and competitive rail freight services.The two organizations said the merger enables the more efficient and effective use of resources, energy, experience and influence of the two organizations to better serve European shippers’ interests.

The rail shipper-focused group was an initiative of European and national associations of industries and groupings: the aim of the platform to realize a single, customer-oriented rail freight market in Europe.

The liberalization of the European rail freight industry remains the single most important objective. Both organizations are committed to the idea of expanding competition through liberalization. They assert that increased competition will drive the development of improved efficiency and productivity, reducing costs and prices, improving service performance, and expanding the choice of viable freight services to shippers and other rail freight customers.