France Rail Freight Transport Market Size (2024 - 2029)

The France rail freight transport market is poised for growth, driven by government initiatives to transition from road to rail, emphasizing energy efficiency and cost reduction. The introduction of programs to alleviate transportation costs and enhance rail's appeal is central to the national strategy, which aims to significantly increase the modal share of rail freight. This strategic focus is expected to expand the market size, as the rail sector recovers and grows after previous stagnation, with a strong emphasis on its role in decarbonization and economic sustainability.

Market Size of France Rail Freight Transport Industry

France Rail Freight Transport Market Summary
Study Period 2020 - 2029
Base Year For Estimation 2023
Forecast Data Period 2024 - 2029
Historical Data Period 2020 - 2022
CAGR 5.00 %
Market Concentration Medium

Major Players

France Rail Freight Transport Market Major Players

*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

France Rail Freight Transport Market Analysis

The France rail freight transport market is anticipated to register a CAGR of more than 5% over the forecast period.

  • By the introduction of an energy savings certificate (ESC) program accessible to shippers, France has strengthened its effort to hasten the changeover of freight transport modes. The announcement of the proposal was made in November 2022 by the Ministries of Energy Transition and Transport, highlighting the fact that rail transportation uses six times less energy than driving.
  • The French government will now assist in mitigating the additional transportation expenses incurred when converting from road to rail freight to encourage shippers to convey products by train. The energy cost "break" comes out to be almost 13% of the average cost of a tonne-kilometer (t-km), which is calculated at 3.3 cents per t-km.
  • The goal of France's national rail freight development strategy is to double the country's modal share of goods, from 9% in 2019 to 18% in 2030, and then to 25% in 2050. The methods for doing this centre on increasing the appeal of rail, both practically by upgrading the calibre of freight train slots and financially by establishing help programs to make up for the higher prices compared to road transport. Since 2021, France's rail freight industry has been growing again after three years of stagnation, particularly at the national railroad utility and operator SNCF. Rail accounted for 10.7% (2021) of surface freight transport, up from 9.6% in 2020, and is likely to continue growing.
  • A representative of the Alliance 4F (Fret Ferroviaire Français du Futur), which brings together major rail freight operators in France, demanded the Ministry of Transport emphasize the critical role of rail freight in the decarbonization of the economy and green planning and consider its targeted and effective promotion, especially in the current energy crisis. First, a system to aid rail freight businesses in coping with skyrocketing energy expenses needs to be developed. The performance and dependability of the rail network should also be improved. The Alliance has requested from the Ministery a specific State mandate for SNCF Réseau.

France Rail Freight Transport Industry Segmentation

Rail freight transport is the usage of railroads and trains to transport cargo on land. It can be used for transporting various kinds of goods or some of the way between the shipper and the intended destination. A complete background analysis of the France Rail Freight Transport Market, including the assessment of the economy and contribution of sectors in the economy, market overview, market size estimation for key segments, emerging trends in the market segments, market dynamics, and geographical trends, and COVID-19 impact is included in the report.

The France Rail Freight Transport Market is Segmented by Cargo Type (Containerized (Intermodal), Non-containerized, and Liquid Bulk) and by Service Type (Transportation and Services Allied to Transportation). The report offers the market size and forecasts for the France rail freight transport market in volume (thousand metric tons) and value (USD billion) for all the above segments.

By Cargo Type
Containerized (Intermodal)
Non-containerized
Liquid Bulk
Service Type
Transportation
Services Allied to Transportation
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France Rail Freight Transport Market Size Summary

The France rail freight transport market is poised for significant growth, driven by strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the appeal of rail as a mode of transport. The French government's introduction of an energy savings certificate program is a key component of this strategy, encouraging shippers to transition from road to rail by mitigating the additional costs associated with this shift. This initiative is part of a broader national strategy to increase the modal share of rail freight, with ambitious targets set for the coming decades. The rail freight sector in France has shown resilience and growth since 2021, particularly through the efforts of SNCF, the national railroad utility and operator. The market is characterized by a competitive landscape with major players such as SNCF Logistics and NVO Consolidation SAS, who are actively expanding their services to meet the growing demand for rail freight solutions.

The market dynamics are further influenced by external factors such as rising fuel prices and supply chain disruptions, which have prompted a shift towards rail freight across Europe. This shift is seen as a response to the increasing costs of road transport, exacerbated by a shortage of drivers and higher diesel prices. The introduction of new rail connections, such as the one by VIIA linking the southern French port of Sete with the Valenton terminal near Paris, underscores the ongoing efforts to enhance rail infrastructure and connectivity. Additionally, innovative solutions like the hydrogen-powered freight train for transporting VITTEL mineral water highlight the industry's commitment to sustainability and green logistics. As the market continues to evolve, the focus remains on improving the efficiency and reliability of rail networks to capture a larger share of the freight transport market.

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France Rail Freight Transport Market Size - Table of Contents

  1. 1. MARKET INSIGHTS AND DYNAMICS

    1. 1.1 Current Market Scenario

    2. 1.2 Market Overview

    3. 1.3 Market Dynamics

      1. 1.3.1 Drivers

      2. 1.3.2 Restraints

      3. 1.3.3 Opportunities

    4. 1.4 Value Chain / Supply Chain Analysis

    5. 1.5 Industry Attractiveness- Porters Five Forces Analysis

      1. 1.5.1 Threat of New Entrants

      2. 1.5.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers/Consumers

      3. 1.5.3 Bargaining Power of Suppliers

      4. 1.5.4 Threat of Substitute Products

      5. 1.5.5 Intensity of Competitive Rivalry

    6. 1.6 Technological Advancements in Rail Freight Transport

    7. 1.7 Overview of Global Rail Freight Transport

    8. 1.8 Pricing Analysis and Revenue analysis of Rail Freight Transport Market

    9. 1.9 Insights on Dry ports

    10. 1.10 Government Regulations and Initiatives

    11. 1.11 Regional insights on Rail Freight Transport Market

    12. 1.12 Impact of COVID-19 on the Market

  2. 2. MARKET SEGMENTATION

    1. 2.1 By Cargo Type

      1. 2.1.1 Containerized (Intermodal)

      2. 2.1.2 Non-containerized

      3. 2.1.3 Liquid Bulk

    2. 2.2 Service Type

      1. 2.2.1 Transportation

      2. 2.2.2 Services Allied to Transportation

France Rail Freight Transport Market Size FAQs

The France Rail Freight Transport Market is projected to register a CAGR of greater than 5% during the forecast period (2024-2029)

SNCF Logistics, NVO Consolidation SAS, Martin Bencher Group, Ace-Trans Transportation and Logistics and Med Europe Terminal are the major companies operating in the France Rail Freight Transport Market.

France Rail Freight Transport Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends & Forecasts (2024 - 2029)