ÖBB Rail Cargo Group Expanded Its Fleet of Car Wagons
The rail operator added 200 double-deck wagons to move heavy modern vehicles across Central Europe.
Updated on Oct. 4, 2026 in Car Types
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ÖBB Rail Cargo Group has expanded its logistics capacity by procuring 200 new Laaers 4371 double-deck car transport wagons. This move aims to support the transport of heavier, larger modern vehicles, including SUVs and electric models, from the port of Rijeka into Central Europe.
Why it matters
The upgrade addresses the growing demand for resilient automotive supply chains as vehicle dimensions increase. By expanding rail capacity, the company provides a more efficient alternative to road transport for imported vehicles arriving via sea.
Each wagon unit provides a loading length of 30.07 meters. A single car train can carry up to 256 vehicles, effectively replacing 37 individual lorry journeys.
The players
ÖBB Rail Cargo Group
This organization is a leading rail logistics operator in Europe that manages the transport of finished vehicles and industrial components.
The details
Manufactured in Slovakia, these wagons were introduced to handle the shifting weight and size profiles of new vehicle fleets. The new rail connections utilize TransFER services to link Rijeka to key hubs in Belgrade and Budapest.
Timeline
August 2026: RoRo vessels from Asia began calling at the port of Rijeka.
16 September 2026: RCG began moving hinterland traffic via rail.
30 September 2026: Logistics data regarding the fleet expansion was published.
2027: Planned delivery timeframe for the remaining 130 wagons.
Roadmap
The transition to larger electric vehicles has rendered many legacy transport wagons obsolete, forcing rail operators to modernize their fleets. This investment positions ÖBB Rail Cargo Group to better compete with road freight and capture import volume from Asian markets.
Increased rail capacity for vehicle imports is designed to reduce road congestion caused by large car carrier lorries on major European highways. This shift contributes to more stable delivery timelines for new vehicles arriving at domestic dealerships.
The takeaway
Reliable rail infrastructure is becoming critical as the physical dimensions of new vehicles evolve beyond traditional transport capabilities. Investing in specialized heavy-lift rail wagons allows operators to maintain high throughput despite the increasing weight of modern automobile fleets.
Further reading
For more information on the evolution of vehicle logistics, visit our Car Types section.
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Do you believe increasing reliance on rail transport makes the supply of goods more reliable?
