UPS Looks at Euro Rail Venture

PARIS — United Parcel Service Europe is considering a joint venture with archrival Deutsche Post, the German post office, to establish the first fully independent, private, long-distance rail freight operation in Europe.

A decision by UPS is expected in the next few weeks on whether to go ahead with the Express Shuttle project, which would use high-speed trains to move both companies’ express parcels between major German cities in swap bodies — multimodal containers that can be used on trucks or trains. Each shuttle will consist of driver cabins at each end and five low-loader rail cars carrying 10 to 12 swap bodies.

UPS estimates the venture could require an investment of at least $150 million.

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