TransContainer and DB Schenker BTT (GmbH) have signed an agreement on cooperation in organizing the transportation of containerized chemical goods between Europe and Russia. Within the scope of this cooperation, the partners intend to increase their shares on the market for transport and logistics services in the transportation of chemical goods.

Under the agreement, the parties will market intermodal transport solutions as an alternative to multimodal operations by road and sea transport. To handle container tanks at the terminal and prepare them to discharge their chemicals, the two parties to the agreement undertake to provide the necessary rolling-stock and equipment, and utilize their latest technologies and expertise in their cooperation. DB Schenker BTT will use its know-how regarding equipment for cistern containers, and its experience in transporting dangerous goods and in intermodal operations. For its part, TransContainer will use its experience in organizing transportation of goods in multipurpose containers and in specialized cistern containers, and also its know-how in running container terminals in Russia.

In addition to intermodal transport operations, the service package will also include extra work at terminals and warehouses (loading and unloading, storage, heating, transhipping) and customs clearance. 
Each of the parties will develop business relations with potential clients from the chemical sector, and purchase works and services in their regions: DB Schenker BTT in Western Europe, and TransContainer in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus.

Commenting on the Agreement signed, Dr. Rudiger Grube, Chairman of the Board of Deutsche Bahn, said:”Russia’s growing chemical industry creates great demand for logistics services with the use of rail transport. We have signed the Agreement with a reliable partner – TransContainer, with which we are prepared to develop new areas of joint work.”

TransContainer’s General Director Petr Baskakov said of the Agreement: “For TransContainer, this s a very important project within the scope of cooperation with DB Schenker BTT because we have agreed to increase the transportation of chemical goods in the Europe-Russia service; this means larger volumes, more frequent runs and a wider range of services. Aware of the great responsibility that the tasks we have undertaken involves, we are certain of the success of this partnership because we have the necessary experience, resources and competence. And taking into account the technology and expertise of our partner - DB Schenker BTT, we have no doubt that cooperation in this field will constitute worthy competition on the transport services market for other carriers, making it possible to involve new carriers in joint servicing.”

The Agreement was signed on September 28, 2009 in Munich, Germany, at the 18th Plenary Session of the International Coordinating Council on Transsiberian Transportation.