| Written by Constance Stickler
Table of contents:
- A Rail Hub at the Heart of Europe
- Freight Traffic in Vorarlberg: A Growing Challenge
- Reefer Runner at Terminal Wolfurt: A First in Europe
- A Blueprint for Sustainable Freight Transport
- Local Innovation, Global Impact
- How is Reefer Runner in Wolfurt Raising the Standard for Intermodal Logistics?
- Glossary
A Rail Hub at the Heart of Europe
In the heart of the Rhine Valley, where Austria meets Switzerland, Germany, and Liechtenstein, Terminal Wolfurt plays a far greater role than its size suggests. Just a few kilometres from major highways, the station is more than just a local freight depot—it is the beating heart of intermodal logistics for the entire Rhine Valley region.
The terminal, which began operations in 1982 after 12 years of construction, has a handling capacity of approximately 190,000 TEU per year. Spanning over 100,000 square meters, the terminal features four loading tracks, each 600 meters long, with 1,700 spaces for loaded containers and 3,500 for empty containers. Plans call for the installation of a third portal crane by 2027 and the terminal's capacity to double by 2029.
Operated by ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, the Wolfurt freight station has continuously developed into a strategic hub where road and rail converge: Trucks deliver containers from factories and warehouses, which are then transferred to rail. Regular connections take them to Europe's most important seaports – the main routes lead to the north (Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Rotterdam) and the south (Trieste, Monfalcone, Koper).
Freight Traffic in Vorarlberg: A Growing Challenge
Apart from Vienna, Vorarlberg may be Austria's smallest federal state, but its economic performance is remarkable. Its industry—from precision mechanics manufacturers and automotive suppliers to producers of technical textiles and food—relies heavily on reliable transport connections to reach its customers throughout Europe and beyond.
This economic strength brings with it a major challenge: increasing freight volumes are pouring onto already congested Alpine roads. The corridors through the Rhine Valley and over the Brenner Pass are among the busiest transit routes in Europe: for residents, this means traffic and noise, while for exporting companies, it means delays, unforeseen costs, and increasing environmental pollution.
There's an immense pressure to find alternatives, and calls for shifting freight transport from road to rail are loud throughout Europe. But making this vision a reality requires an efficient local infrastructure. Terminal Wolfurt plays a crucial role here. Instead of relying on southern German terminals hundreds of kilometres away, shippers in Vorarlberg, Eastern Switzerland, and Liechtenstein now only have to transport their containers a short distance by truck before loading them onto the rail.
The effect is significant: every container loaded onto a train in Wolfurt means one less truck journey across the Alps or their surrounding areas. This translates into tangible benefits for companies, such as shorter lead times, lower logistics costs, and the certainty of operating in compliance with stricter sustainability standards.
How Can Terminals Secure Sensitive Cargo?
Among the containers entering and leaving Wolfurt are cargoes that require special attention. Fresh fruit, dairy products, and sensitive pharmaceuticals – all of these require strict temperature control to arrive in perfect condition. Reefers, as these refrigerated containers are also called, represent one of the fastest-growing segments of global logistics.
The reefers spend the time until loading or during transhipment in a special area at the station that has the necessary power connections. During this time, they must be monitored, as many goods have very little room for temperature fluctuations.
Often, this monitoring is done manually. Reefer clerks visit the bays every few hours, check the container gauges, and record readings. This process is time-consuming, labour-intensive, fraught with danger (reefer equipmentrequires 380-440 volts of electricity), and prone to human error. If temperature deviations occur between inspections, valuable cargo can be at risk before anyone notices.
For a terminal like Wolfurt, a central transhipment hub for exporters from Vorarlberg, Liechtenstein, and the Swiss Rhine Valley, this was a clear opportunity. The introduction of a system that combines efficiency, automation, and complete transparency strengthens customer confidence and sets new standards in intermodal logistics throughout Europe.
Reefer Runner at Terminal Wolfurt: A First in Europe
A turning point for refrigerated transport in Wolfurt is the installation of Reefer Runner, an automated monitoring system from Identec Solutions. Commissioned by ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, the Wolfurt terminal was the first freight terminal in Europe to introduce this technology – a milestone that reflects both the terminal's pioneering role in intermodal logistics and its commitment to the reliable transport of temperature-sensitive goods.
The terminal has a capacity of 54 reefers, which can now be equipped with tags to enable real-time monitoring. Temperature and other information, such as the status of the power connection, can be viewed in real time. Instead of manual checks, operators can now access a live dashboard from the control centre 24/7, ensuring full transparency over every refrigeration unit on site.
But even if no one is looking at the monitors, the integrity of the goods is guaranteed. If the temperature of a container leaves the defined range, Reefer Runner immediately issues an alert. This allows the team to react as quickly as possible.
The benefits of the system are clear: shippers and exporters can rest assured that their cargo is tracked with the utmost precision, regardless of container make and model, and greater operational efficiency by eliminating labour and human error at the terminal. The terminal also benefits from Reefer Runner's scalability: The system is designed to expand gradually as demand increases, seamlessly adapting to increasing reefer traffic.
A Blueprint for Sustainable Freight Transport
What was achieved in Wolfurt is more than just a local modernisation—it's a model for how freight terminals across Europe can support the transition to more environmentally friendly logistics (see also: Nordic cold chain). The EU's strategy is clear: less truck traffic, more freight transport by rail and ship, and thus lower emissions. Now it's up to the rail terminals to prove that they can reliably handle not only standard freight, but also demanding shipments such as refrigerated containers.
This is where Reefer Runner demonstrates its true value. By automating the monitoring and security of the cold chain, the system eliminates one of the greatest uncertainties in rail-based refrigerated transport. Alarm-driven monitoring ensures safety and reduces complaints and disputes.
Thanks to Identec Solutions' solution, refrigerated containers are handled at the freight yard to the same standards as at major sea terminals. In this respect, the Wolfurt terminal sets a benchmark for others to follow. As demand for temperature-controlled transport continues to grow—particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industries—this capability will play a key role in making rail not only an environmentally friendly option, but a preferred mode of transport.
Robert Steger, Terminal Manager Wolfurt, ÖBB-Infrastruktur AG, Terminal Service Austria:
"With this offering, we are setting a new standard for handling refrigerated transport by rail. The Wolfurt terminal is taking a pioneering role in the areas of digitalisation and sustainability in transalpine freight transport."
Local Innovation, Global Impact
One aspect of the Wolfurt project is its proximity to the innovation centre. Just a short drive away, in Lustenau, is the headquarters of Identec Solutions – the company behind Reefer Runner. This proximity is more than convenient: It has made Wolfurt a real-life testing ground for a technology that is set to revolutionise the handling of refrigerated cargo in rail terminals.
For Identec Solutions, developing advanced wireless monitoring systems has always been about solving practical problems in challenging environments. Ports, mines, and energy facilities worldwide rely on their solutions to increase efficiency and safety.
The solution is likely to resonate far beyond the Austrian Rhine Valley. Wolfurt is the first freight terminal in Europe to deploy Reefer Runner, but it won't be the last. Given the staffing shortages that challenge operators and increasing sustainability requirements, automated systems like Reefer Runner offer a solution that is scalable to terminals of any size.
How is Reefer Runner in Wolfurt Raising the Standard for Intermodal Logistics?
With Reefer Runner, the Wolfurt terminal is setting new standards for refrigerated rail transport. It combines a strategic location, modern infrastructure, and digital monitoring to ensure that even the most sensitive cargo can be transported reliably and sustainably.
This leads to greater confidence in shippers choosing rail over road, as well as reduced congestion and emissions for the region. And for Europe, it is a practical example of how innovation can support the transition to greener and smarter freight transport.
Wolfurt demonstrates that a single terminal with the right technology can do more than just move containers—it can redefine the capabilities of intermodal logistics.
Delve deeper into one of our core topics: Refrigerated containers
Glossary
Intermodal logistics is the movement of goods using two or more modes of transportation—such as truck, train, and ship—under a single journey, with the cargo itself staying within the same load unit (like a container) throughout the trip. This approach allows for streamlined transfers between transport modes without directly handling the goods, improving security, reducing the risk of loss or damage, and allowing cost efficiency in global supply chains. (3)
References:
(1) https://infrastruktur.oebb.at/en/partners/terminals/locations/terminal-wolfurt
(2) https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_Wolfurt
(3) Lowe, David (2005): Intermodal Freight Transport. Taylor & Francis.
Note: This article was partly created with the assistance of artificial intelligence to support drafting.
Author
Conny Stickler, Marketing Manager Logistics
Constance Stickler holds a master's degree in political science, German language and history. She spent most of her professional career as a project and marketing manager in different industries. Her passion is usability, and she's captivated by the potential of today's digital tools. They seem to unlock endless possibilities, each one more intriguing than the last. Constance writes about automation, sustainability and safety in maritime logistics.
