Cool Rail partners find more sustainable way to bring fresh produce from Spain

A new refrigerated rail service has launched between Spain and northern Europe, providing a more sustainable alternative to road freight for fresh produce shippers.

Cool Rail operates twice-weekly reefer services between Valencia and Cologne. The service takes three days, one more than by road, but each container travels 83% fewer truck-km – resulting in a 70% reduction in CO2 emissions.

Colruyt Group, which operates supermarkets in Belgium, France and Luxembourg, is using Cool Rail to import Spanish citrus and vegetables.

Once in Cologne, its ...