THE STAKES

EUROTRANS Partners has specialised in the provision of studies and advice through the critical development phases of equipping and operating transport services.

The expertise of its consultants facilitates specialisation in any and all modes of transport (air, sea, river and canal, rail and road) as required, but is also multidisciplinary, covering diagnostics, project management, marketing, commercial strategy, quality and logistics. If so desired, its consultants can be assigned directly to specific operational environments to observe and assess the evolution of existing transport "chains" on a European scale.

In maritime areas its most recent projects have been centred on the formation of new high-speed shipping lines, both for freight and passengers, market development for new routes and cruise vessels, modernisation and specialisation of port facilities and the development and implementation of logistics centres.

In air transport recent liberalisation has necessitated considerable research on optimisation, improved competitiveness and performance analysis. These projects are just the initial response of airports and airport operators at a national level to the increasing globalisation of the aviation sector. EUROTRANS Partners has experience at all levels, from management in world-class international terminals, down to the restructuring of small regional assets.

The terms of reference for the development of today's rail infrastructure focus on combined transport for freight and improved passenger mobility on regional networks. The implementation of interchange zones within key stations on networks, the electronic tagging of rail freight, a dynamic management approach to trains within combined transport centres and the development of new "delay-free" freight services all constitute areas of recent involvement.

In waterborne transport the key requirement is that an accurate evaluation of and balance of potential ecological and economic impacts of transport on rivers and canals lead to sustainable development and modernisation of activity. The strengthening of river-borne transport in relation to maritime ports, and its positioning in waste and recycling operations constitute key action-areas currently.

In road transport EUROTRANS Partners has contributed directly to the adaptation of enterprises to the increasing constraints on quality and the globalisation of freight customer organisations. Both of these exert an increasing demand to advance the use of technology throughout the industry.

The merging of public needs and private-sector assets in local bus transportation offers has also been the subject of recent studies. Where urban and regional passenger transport is concerned, today's pressures are to monitor the adaptation of routes, stations and networks to wider development concepts of inter-connectability and intermodality.

In logistics, our achievements are in the field of developing the implementation and final service offer of multi-modal platforms to the exacting criteria of logistics centres, for efficient distribution on a European scale. To complement services undertaken for clients, we have been engaged in a three-year research study on this theme, to analyse the future needs for rebuilding logistics systems on a global scale.

Inter-modality, interoperability and the development of enlarged territorial corridors for freight and passenger transport management constitute main points of emphasis in European and euro-regional (INTERREG III) contexts, representing key interests for continued cohesion and trans-frontier co-operation.

It is from this varied and fast-moving background that Eurotrans has developed its services and offers its assistance in decision-making strategies in the form of studies or direct consultancy advice.

EUROTRANS Partners has proven ability to contribute to the definition of and feasibility of projects involving all areas of transport and related infrastructure (ports, airports, platforms, highways, canals, tunnel links). Priority is given to dynamic prospective methods which result in direct transference of information and data from "ground-level" observations.

EUROTRANS Partners conducts regular questionnaires in terminal locations and with transport, public-sector and regulatory groups. It is frequently asked to apply diagnostics and conduct case-studies, and has handled socio-economic research as well as opportunity, feasibility and market studies and site-development plans. It has also produced more creative commercial discussion papers, and developed strategic plans.

After report publication, EUROTRANS Partners contributes to the set-up and implementation of proposals and recommendations, by assisting with project management.

Its understanding of the background, the market, and at a professional level, allows involvement in the transformation of practice and operation. It can be directly involved in bringing together partners and rationalising and diversifying services on offer by enterprises and by European networks.

Contact : Christian DUHAUT