Intermodal train services: A business challenge and a measure for decarbonisation for logistics service providers

The pressure for more sustainable operations is intense for the actors in the transport sector, and using intermodal road-rail transport is one measure to reduce CO2 emissions. The purpose of this paper is to examine the experiences of a large logistics provider in offering intermodal road-rail transport services, especially in connection with the company's environmental strategies. This case reveals how the environmental dimension changed intermodal train services into a competitive advantage. Nevertheless, there were challenges in making these services profitable. The case company Bring Frigo claims to be the leading cold storage transport provider in the Nordic countries. There were in-depth interviews conducted with key persons in Bring Frigo and an interview with the CEO of the contracted intermodal operator TX Logistics. The pressure for environmental improvements from customers had grown stronger, at least before the recession and the formulation of a goal for reductions of CO2 emissions were in focus. This internal pressure was steering the environmental work. Competitors are also struggling with pressure on costs and targets for reducing the emissions of CO2. This study gives insights into the perceived competitive pressure for more sustainable freight transport through a logistics provider and the experiences of intermodal transport services.