Even if the ILU-Code implementation has to be done mainly by the owners of (continental) intermodal transport units (e.g. semi-trailers and swap bodies), it is also important for the managers of intermodal terminals where these units apear regularly. The information attached explains the background and necessary steps the terminals should consider to be prepared for July 2014 when the ILU-code shall be used widely according to the implementation plan of the UIC railways and UIRR operators.

Accompanying the ILU-Code implementation is supported by the European Union in the framework of the Marco Polo Common Learning project DESTINY. Further information on the ILU-Code can also be picked-up from the website of the issuing organisation (www.ilu-code.eu).

ILU-Code information for Terminal Operators – DE
ILU-Code information for Terminal Operators – EN
ILU-Code information for Terminal Operators – FR

Hoenders elected ‘railway man of the year’

Source of the original Dutch article: Rail Cargo information Netherlands, Monday 16 April 2012

Interpretation by Uwe Sondermann, AGORA secretary

On April 12, 2012, by occasion of the last “railcafe”, Cor Hoenders, managing director of RSC Rotterdam, was entitled ‘railway man of the year’. With that initiative the Rail Cargo supporting office awards persons that have actively supported the promotion of rail freight service in the practical business.

No doubt that Hoenders is a ‘railway man of the year”: Already since 23 years Hoenders works as director of the Rail Service Center (RSC) for the rail freight transport in the port of Rotterdam.

End of the 1980th, on initiative of the former NS Cargo, a new intermodal terminal was created near the Waalhaven in Rotterdam. Hoenders was employed as director and has completely filled-out that post with great passion. Many see him has a pioneer in intermodal transport at all.

Consequently, Cor also became a founding member of the AGORA working group of intermodal terminal in Europe, where he contributed with his experiences and pragmatic advice.

Hoenders is honoured by the title ‘railway man of the year’ for the first time, after “working hard since 23 years in the port of Rotterdam”.

On short notice Cor will jump into his well-deserved pension.

Hoenders Spoorman van het Jaar

Bron: Rail Cargo information Netherlands

Maandag, 16 april 2012
Cor Hoenders Spoorman van het Jaar

Tijdens het laatste spoorcafe op 12 april is Cor Hoenders, managing director bij RSC Rotterdam, verkozen tot ‘Spoorman van het Jaar’. Met dit initiatief wil het voorlichtingsbureau haar waardering uiten voor personen die zich in de praktijk sterk maken voor de promotie van het railgoederenvervoer.

De keuze Hoenders te verkiezen tot ‘Spoorman van het Jaar’ is uiteraard niet zonder reden. Reeds 23 jaar maakt Hoenders als directeur van het Rail Service Centrum zich sterk voor het spoorvervoer van en naar de Rotterdamse haven.

Eind jaren 80 werd op initiatief van het toenmalige NS Cargo een nieuwe intermodale terminal gebouwd nabij de Waalhaven in Rotterdam. Hoenders werd daarbij aangesteld als directeur, de functie die hij tot op heden met veel passie en inzet heeft ingevuld. Cor Hoenders wordt dan ook door velen gezien als een pionier in het intermodale vervoer.

Hoenders toonde zich blij verrast met de verkiezing tot Spoorman van het Jaar. “Een mooie erkenning na 23 jaar lang buffelen in de Rotterdamse Haven.” Binnenkort hoopt Hoenders van zijn welverdiende pensioen te gaan genieten

ILU-Code: a new Code for the identification of Intermodal Loading Units

A new coding system for intermodal loading units was introduced according to the European standard EN13044 since July 2011.
Compatible with the BIC-Code for ISO containers the ILU-Code allows a unified identification of the owner of intermodal loading units (mainly swap bodies and semi-trailers) circulating within the European region.

As administrator of the ILU-Code, UIRR is issuing the Codes through the website www.ilu-code.eu.

By 1 July 2014, only loading units featuring an ILU- or BIC-Code will be accepted on intermodal transport:
The implementation of the ILU-Code will ease running operations in Combined Transport.

How to apply for your ILU-Code?

Find out how to apply online for a Code: http://www.ilu-code.eu/en

Detailed information regarding the ILU-Code available in 10 languages (www.ilu-code.eu/images/Documents)

What are the advantages of the ILU-Code?

• Savings: check digit detects 95% of type errors
• The ILU-Code is OCR-readable. The systems which are already installed in the ports can thus also be installed at continental terminals and contribute to enhancing their ef-ficiency.
• The new codification system standard distinguishes the owner identification from the operational marking required for the rail operation. In case of a change of owner, a new codification is not needed anymore.
• All swap-bodies and cranable semi-trailers will be usable in rail transport.
• All the actors of the transport chain, as well as third parties, for example customs au-thorities, emergency services, can identify the owner of a loading unit given that the owner code is officially published.

Organised by Kombiverkehr some working meetings of crane experts took place in 2002/2005. HHLA Intermodal received a positive feedback in spring 2010 to restart the works. With the AGORA working group of European terminal operators the basis for organizing the first meeting was established.
In the AGORA working group operators of European intermodal terminals rail-road-waterway are cooperating. The Secretariat is performed by KombiConsult.
The exchange of experiences is directed to operation managers and technical responsible persons of terminal operators or owners. Manufacturers or service providers shall not be invited at first.
Personnel invitations were send out beginning of September 2011.

The proposed agenda is as follows:

Introduction

• Welcome
• Introduction of participants
• Role of AGORA

Technical Subjects and discussion points

• Status of EU-regulations, guidelines and standards
• Specification of cranes, characteristics with respect to life cycle
• Preventive maintenance of “critical components”

Next steps

For further information please do not hesitate to contact the
AGORA Secretariat
c/o KombiConsult GmbH
Uwe Sondermann
phone +49.69.2443293-172

Today the UIRR has signalized implementation of the ILU-Code.

The European norm EN13044 defines the new standard for marking and coding of intermodal loading units (ILU) in Europe. Harmonized with the ISO-Code for (maritime) containers it allows a unified identification of the owner and identity of each European intermodal loading unit: swap bodies and semi-trailers in particular. UIRR was selected to administer the code, whereas the BIC remains responsible for the ISO-Code of containers. The implementation plan agreed upon by UIRR and UIC members companies is supported by the AGORA Working Group of European terminal managers who are convinced that the standardized identification will raise efficiency of intermodal transport chains.
Road transport companies, equipment leasing companies and forwarders shall get acquainted with the new Code by means of the UIRR-information brochure and are strongly invited to apply the ILU-Code and equip “their” loading units.
Should you have questions on the Code you may contact UIRR or visit KombiConsult, the secretariat of the AGORA Working Group on Intermodal Terminals on the München fair transport logistic 2011, May 10-13, hall B3 stand 213.
Uwe Sondermann

ILU-Code brochure EN

The information brochure provides the reasoning and advantages of using the ILU-Code for intermodal loading units in Europe and explains where road transport companies, equipment leasing companies or other loading unit owners could apply for their code.

ILU-Code Broschüre DE

Die Informationsbroschüre enthält eine Begründung und die Vorteile für die Nutzung des ILU-Codes für intermodale Ladeeinheiten in Europa und erläutert, wo Straßenverkehrsunternehmen, Equipment-Vermieter und andere Ladeeinheiten-Eigentümer “Ihren” Eigentümer-Code erhalten können.