Digital logistics marketplace Empty Trips has extended its smart freight-matching platform to include rail trips.

The company says its platform is addressing some of the biggest inefficiencies in the logistics space, such as trucks, or trains, returning empty from deliveries, by making those trips available to shippers.

This open exchange platform is premised on bidding for cargo, and helps turn wasted railway miles into income for rail operators, while also giving shippers access to rail transport, which is cheaper than opting for road transport.

Empty Trips says a substantial percentage of all rail wagons in South Africa are empty when moving between destinations. In the Southern African Development Community region, often only a small percentage of rail capacity is being fully used.

The company started marketing empty rail wagons on its platform in October, with the aim of making haulage simpler, more efficient and more sustainable.

Empty Trips will initially target the Harare, Zimbabwe, to Maputo, Mozambique, and Ndola/Lusaka, Zambia, to Durban, South Africa, routes, primarily for export cargo.

It is expected that changes in South African legislation will make it possible for Empty Trips to offer the marketing of wagon space for inland routes next year, in the same way it is now ready to do for cross-border rail freight. 

“We are a fully end-to-end marketplace using algorithms to match shippers’ freight with the carrier’s capacity and allowing shippers to manage their contracts seamlessly and transparently,” explains Empty Trips managing executive Andrew Crafford. 

Rail carriers can publish details of empty rail wagons on the platform, which provides the visibility for rail shippers to book space on the rail wagons, he elaborates.

Even if only 10% of empty wagon space is filled, it means 10% more profit, as the fixed cost of moving a full train compared with an empty one is the same, Crafford adds.

Compared with truck transport on road, trains are four times more fuel efficient and use nine times less energy per ton per kilometer, resulting in 60% less carbon emissions. Rail also offers the transport of heavier containers and can transport more containers at a time, offering significant payload benefits.

Additionally, train freight is generally cleared pre-departure and, therefore, the inefficiencies of border post congestion are reduced.

“Rail will play a significant role in the logistics industry with the integration of digital solutions. As the logistics industry evolves, our platform offering will make this a beneficial and faster reality. We are pleased to be playing a role,” Crafford states.

Shippers and carriers sign up by creating a free account with Empty Trips on its website.

Once registered on the platform, shippers and carriers click on 'post a new trip exchange' and add the details of the cargo to be moved, or the empty cargo space available.

The platform can update users by email on all available trips daily.