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Who we are

Founded in 1950, the UIP – International Union of Wagon Keepers, with its seat in Brussels, is the umbrella association of national associations from fourteen European countries, thus representing more than 250 freight wagon keepers and ECMs with more than 255’000 freight wagons, performing 50 % of the rail freight tonne-Kilometres throughout Europe. The UIP represents the members’ concerns at international level. By means of research, lobbying and focused cooperation with all stakeholders and organisations interested in rail freight transportation, the UIP wants to secure on the long term the future of rail freight transport.

What we represent

As the voice for more than 255’000 rail freight wagons, we represent one of the most important resources for rail freight transportation in Europe.  At UIP our priority is to support wagon keepers and those who have a role as Entities in Charge of Maintenance in achieving higher economic performance and adapting to modern logistics chain requirements.

In economic terms, UIP stands for:

  • a 12bn € private investment in existing rolling stock
  • a yearly 400 – 500mio € private investment in new rolling stock

Private keepers' wagon fleet 2024

Hover over each part of the pie for more details

Private keepers' wagon fleet in numbers

Type of wagon 2023 2024 2025
RID but not class-2 55.508 56.296 57.212
RID class 2 19.508 19.695 20.557
Non-RID 6.641 6.753 7.431
Total tank 81.657 82.744 85.200
Combined 45.830 47.896 49.685
Flat 26.211 27.425 27.639
Total intermodal 72.041 75.321 77.324
Open hopper 16.192 16.529 16.199
Covered hopper 11.264 12.839 15.910
Powder hopper 7.332 7.151 7.166
Total hopper 34.788 36.519 39.275
Covered 15.610 16.118 14.742
Open box 10.865 12.053 12.475
Total conventional 26.475 28.171 27.217
Car-Carrier 13.019 13.539 12.708
Coils 7.564 8.746 9.448
Others 3.309 3.318 4.077
Total special purpose 23.892 25.603 26.233
TOTAL WAGON FLEET
238.853 248.358 255.249

 

Our strategic objectives

Looking at improving the attractiveness and competitiveness of rail freight services in Europe, we aim to:

  • increase the awareness among policy and decision makers of the role of the wagon keepers in the railway system and in the logistics supply-chain
  • develope an economically sound long-term vision for investments in rail freight wagons
  • ensure fair market conditions between transport modes and fair intramodal competition (freight vs. passenger)
  • develop a common culture for efficient exchanges of information and relevant data among the actors in the railway system and the supply chain, including freight customers
  • promote regulatory stability and consistency at EU level to ensure wagon interoperability and safety while respecting the lifecycle of the assets (25-35 years)




Contact us

Fax

+32 26 72 81 14

Team