InnoTrans 2012: A Market Overview

Pörner said that there is an alarming signal and that the situation is not that safe and we should be slightly concerned that all the companies, especially locomotives, are in a tricky situation and that we need incentives.

In Germany alone they need 200 new train orders and they are struggling to finance these. “We have a weak locomotive business,” he said. To that, he suggested an environmental premium for old locomotives to be replaced with greener and quieter technology.

An environmental bonus awarded by the federal government could act as a catalyst. It would considerably speed up the rejuvenating of diesel locomotives in Germany and noticeably reduce the diesel emissions. 

There are 3,200 locomotives in Germany, 1,300 of which are worse than UIC I standards and 600 that are older than 30 years old. “If not at a press conference I would call them stinkpots,” he said.

“We are focused on those 600,” he explained. If those were replaced, it would mean a 71 percent decrease in NOx, a 97 percent decrease in soot and a 21 percent decrease in CO₂. At 20 percent off of the purchasing price, he said private rail agencies are getting interested. Discussions have begun with the transport and economics ministry, but not yet with the finance ministry.

Electro-Industry Association (ZVEI) Managing Director Herbert Zimmermann

Electro-Industry Association (ZVEI) Managing Director Herbert Zimmermann said we have every reason to be optimistic in the industry. ZVEI represents the interests of a high-tech industry with a very broad and dynamic product portfolio: the electrical industry.

While there has been a slight downturn in the electric rail industry, through the next 12 months, order projections are very hopeful, he said.

While there have been many global projects with funding difficulties postponed or altered, there are many high-ranking officials registered for attendance and, he added, they expect China to be a very important market.

Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) Managing Director Dr. Martin Henke

Dr. Martin Henke, managing director of the Association of German Transport Companies (VDV) talked about the importance of funding investment. VDV is the organization for Germany’s public transport companies and rail freight transport companies.

There are more than 600 operators in Germany, with more than half of them being rail. He said especially the smaller companies are struggling for funding to purchase vehicles, primarily because of the volume needed to purchase and they are still coping with the impact of the financial crisis.

There is 8 billion Euros of investment needed and the quicker we can be sure about funding investment, better for the companies and their funding investment partners, he said.

The German Research Association for Underground Transportation Facilities (STUVA) Managing Director Dr.-Ing. Roland Leucker

The German Research Association for Underground Transportation Facilities (STUVA) Managing Director Dr.-Ing. Roland Leucker talked about expected population growth and the gridlock that will mean. In 2012 there are 7 billion people and by 2050, we’re looking at 9 billion. “Tunnels are direly needed in this backdrop,” he stressed.

In 1996 the European Parliment adopted the Community guidelines for the development of a trans-European transport network (TEN). The "Stuggart 21" construction project is an integral part of a project classified by the EU as a "priority" within the scope of those guidelines. Despite the classification, the project is highly controversial with large sections of the population. As part of InnoTrans, the association will be addressing this issue with a prestigious group of expert panelists during hte "Infrastructures for Europe - Big Ambitions without Bigt Projects?" 

He talked about a number of projects underway, including the Fehmarnbelttunnel connecting Germany to Denmark with 17.6 km of tunnels for cars and trains, expected to open by the end of 2021. He also showed examples of what happens when tunnels are put in place, how the city can be opened up to more pedestrian-friendly areas and the resulting quality of life improvements.