In this series of interviews that Ziegler is devoting to partners who support it in its urban logistics projects, Ziegler today gives the floor to Interparking, which is developing its vision of urban mobility that is both greener and more efficient.

Both Ziegler and Interparking are key players in urban mobility – one as a carrier and the other as a parking operator. Each has an essential role to play in relieving congestion in cities, improving urban mobility and promoting a peaceful city. So a partnership between the two was a natural result of that shared goal.

Use of the car and respect for the environment perfectly reconcilable

Interparking has been present for more than 60 years in the urban mobility sector in the heart of major European cities. Its teams facilitate more fluid travel in urban centers and their outskirts.

Interparking frees up public space. At any given moment, a full 30% of vehicles on the street are vehicles trying to park. So a car park with 500 spaces represents a queue of cars 2.5 kilometers long that has been taken off the streets. The construction of new car parks makes it possible to return public space to pedestrians and cyclists.

Using a car is also compatible with respect for the environment. The development of new innovative projects, which are growing in number daily, will make this more a reality than ever before: shared vehicles, connected and autonomous cars, hybrid and electric cars are the bridge to more sustainable mobility and will require an appropriate service offer.

Multimodality ahead

Interparking strongly believes that multimodality is an essential pillar of both greener and more efficient mobility. Most of its car parks are connected to other modes of transport: bus, tram, metro, train, bike rental stations, airports, etc. Its Pcard+ allows its customers to access its car parks, but also public transport networks and multiple ancillary services (such as electric charging). Each customer can thus flexibly combine several modes of transport to optimize their journeys.

Environmental responsibility also remains a major priority for Interparking. In addition to CO2 neutral certification in all nine countries where the group is present, Interparking is strengthening its activities in the fight against climate change, such as the program to plant mangroves in Benin in partnership with the independent design office CO2 Logic.

In terms of innovation, Interparking is the first Belgian company to have equipped its car parks with particle reduction systems in the Beffroi car park in Namur, Belgium. This device neutralizes 50 to 70% of particles, 40% of fine particles and 20% of ultrafine particles in suspension in the car park, resulting in cleaner air.

Ziegler and Interparking Launch a Last-Mile Logistics Microhub

In September 2021, Interparking and Ziegler launched the first micro-hub for Cargo Bikes at Parking Albertine, near Sablon in Brussels. Ziegler had previously initiated an experimental hub from its facility in Chaussée de Vilvorde for distribution throughout the city centre of Brussels. But to  be able to make more deliveries and be closer to the city centre, Interparking and Ziegler jointly launched the first micro-hub in the Albertine car park.

This “last mile” delivery solution combines three innovative aspectsto deliver large parcels throughout the centre of Brussels, while ensuring low or even zero CO2 emissions. For starters, an electric van transports goods from the main logistics hub to the Albertine car park microhub in the city centre. From there, Cargo Bikes transport packages to their final destinations. This service is not only greener, it is also more efficient. The Cargo Bike XXL makes up to 50 stops per day, while a conventional distribution truck only makes an average of 25 stops in the same time.

This service therefore solves two issues simultaneously: it makes it possible to 100% decarbonize delivery in the city centre while improving performance at the same time. Partnerships like this will be essential to our goal of  providing optimized and sustainable mobility.

Support innovative projects

Maintaining regular dialogue with all stakeholders is essential to stimulate innovation, meet new societal needs and continue to grow in a highly competitive market. 

To imagine the mobility of tomorrow, Interparking constantly consults its institutional customers, daily road users, public authorities and local residents. At the same time, Interparking supports and is a member of several innovation-focused programs such as the PropTechlab in Brussels which promotes innovations in the field of construction and real estate, as well as the 19 coding school, among others.

Among the new services: last-mile delivery with Ziegler

Alongside its parking activities, Interparking is developing new services related to other parked car senarios: car-wash, electric charging, car-related services, urban farming, etc. 

It makes sense to include last-mile delivery logistics among these. With this first micro-hub as a pattern to follow, Interparking can roll out more micro-hubs to maximize space utilisation in its car parks while helping to relieve city centre congestion. Parking Albertine is just the first of many car parks that will be utilised  for this service in the coming future.

Soon, Interparking and Ziegler will launch similar microhubs in the Belgian cities of Bruges and Knokke. And while we’re at it, why not abroad?

The future of urban mobility

The next few years promise to be exciting on the mobility front. Innovations regularly emerge to develop and encourage modes of travel that are ever more respectful of the environment. 

Someone who uses a car at one time during the day is often a pedestrian, cyclist or public transport user at other times of the day. Interparking facilitates this with activities and projects geared towards the use of electric vehicles and multimodality.

New technologies already are providing many solutions to climate challenges. Both Ziegler and Interparking are anticipating the arrival of a new generation of autonomous vehicles. These will represent a new challenge that the two partners will be proud to work through together, with the big picture goal always kept in mind – more efficient and responsible mobility in large cities and their surroundings.

Overland rail routes from China to Europe are beating out sea freight in speed, container availability, and value.

“Most companies are accustomed to using sea or air freight,” says Luc Audiens, freight specialist from Ziegler Belgium. “But many people aren’t aware of the advantages that rail routes have more recently started to offer.”

Let’s explore the ways that rail freight is helping European companies diversify their supply chains and receive shipments faster from China.

How autonomous vehicles can solve city problems that have no current solutions.

EN, FR & NL SUBTITLES AVAILABLE. Click on settings ⚙️ to enable subtitles or change the language.

Cities are being stretched to breaking points with congestion, noise, and emissions. And there’s little they can do about it because of the limitations of space and technology. But they are trying nonetheless.

Brussels is crafting plans for a future version of itself that reduces its environmental impact and makes its urban environments more healthy and enjoyable for people. And city logistics is an integral part of that plan.

In addition to many other initiatives to improve the sustainability of transport, Ziegler Group has two innovative last-mile delivery projects in Brussels that could reshape traditional transport while contributing in part to the dream that city planners envision.

“Last-mile deliveries are actually one of the hardest of the entire chain. Every package has its own best way of bringing it to the last person that needs it. So it’s a very difficult challenge but it’s one that’s also very exciting because it has so many different opportunities and so many different solutions that you can implement,” says Tom Verkoelen Continuous Improvement Officer of the Ziegler Group.

Ziegler’s Cargo Bike project is already delivering packages more cleanly and quietly than traditional delivery trucks, and Ziegler has recently ordered electric autonomous delivery vehicles that will be tested with the cooperation of Brussel’s city government and other agencies.

“Logistics is a vital pillar of economics and of our daily lives. But there is a lot of room to innovate and to try and make things better, that’s really what we’re trying to do with autonomous vehicles,” he continues.

Autonomous delivery vehicles (AVs) could very well be one of the technological advancements that will usher in cleaner, quieter and healthier cities that provide a better quality of life to all residents and reduce our environmental impact.

Ziegler believes this pivot will begin in the transport sector, and that the positive ripple effects will be significant in the long term.

AVs represent more than just self-driving cars. They are part of a broader shift away from congestion, pollution, and shrinking urban space. They represent an avenue to open up new possibilities for society, individuals and our environment.

This vision for the potential of AVs is reflected in Ziegler Group’s own dedication to pursuing technology and practices that are more efficient and eco-friendly. This goal matches that of the city of Brussels, where new plans for a vibrant and clean city are being drawn up, and autonomous vehicles play a part in that.

“In Brussels, we really want to bring back the human factor with mobility. Design a city that is really made for people. Mobility can be a solution. Not focusing only on traffic going through but focusing on what people need to live and enjoy. To free up public space as well…” says Stefan Vandenhende, Advisor at Minister Elke Van den Brandt, Minister of the Brussels-Capital Region, responsible for Mobility, Public Works and Road Safety

“Autonomous vehicles have enormous potential in that field, and are part of the palette of solutions that we have for improving urban sustainable logistics. Autonomous vehicles could be one part of the puzzle of that solution,” he continues.

How exactly can AVs have such an impact? Camille Callens, Environmental Advisor & Project Leader at Brussels Enterprises Commerce & Industry explains…

“The three big opportunities and challenges are pollution, congestion and labour markets. There is no noise because they are going to be electric and logically they would be able to drive at night. Because of noise, you can’t drive at certain hours in Brussels which makes it very difficult for all kinds of companies and supermarkets. They find themselves restricted to peak hours which is very counterproductive. So that’s also a big opportunity. Then an opportunity is also maybe regarding the labour markets, with the shortage of vehicle drivers. Autonomous vehicles would actually allow that problem to be solved.” 

Electric vehicles that operate without drivers can operate in places and at times that current delivery vehicles are restricted. This will open up new opportunities where there are very limited solutions. 

Transport companies aren’t the only ones who will benefit from fewer trucks on the roadways during rush hour. 

“Nobody likes to be in a traffic jam for hours… That will disappear with autonomous vehicles. That means we can use the time that we normally would put into those driving tasks,” Prof. Dr. Lieselot Vanhaverbeke from the Vrije Universiteit Brussel notes.

“AVs can automatically route themselves, which will be a better use of the public infrastructure. Roads can be less congested if you put them in shared use systems. Fewer cars means a decrease in demand for physical space.  So in that sense, I think autonomous vehicles can certainly improve people’s lives and the world,” she explains.

But just because the potential for positive change is there, this doesn’t mean that challenges with the maturity of the technology disappear. User acceptance and regulatory readiness are issues that must still be worked through. 

Yet this is why Ziegler Group is taking the long-term approach into account. 

“Logistics could improve [city living]. It’s something we want to pursue and it’s something that we believe in,” Tom notes. “We can really look towards the future and really think outside of the box whilst not having to give up our client-centric approach,” he said.

And it’s up to companies to put these technologies into real-world use, and develop them into usable services so that all can benefit.

“Companies have a very important role to play to take these technologies and implement new products and new services that respond to needs. We need companies to build the solutions and scale them up to really have an impact on our region,” Stefaan Sonck Thiebaut, Managing Director of Innoviris underlines.

“It always takes a couple of front-runners for technology to breakthrough, and hopefully Ziegler can be one of the front-runners. We appreciate that Ziegler is a family company from Brussels with both a global outlook and genuine care for what’s happening locally. I have the feeling that it’s at the core of Ziegler,” Stefan Vandenhende says.

Ziegler offers direct dedicated weekly rail service for groupage and full load shipments from China to Europe and the UK, providing clients with a fast, secure and competitive option for moving freight when by sea is too slow and by air is too expensive.

SERVICE

• FCL and LCL shipments 

• Several types of containers (20ft, 40ft, 40ft HC, Reefer)

Our experienced and highly trained rail team will ensure the smooth movement of your cargo from quotation stage through to final delivery.  Both groupage (LCL) services and FCL depart from rail terminals that are centrally located in the industrial heartland of China. This strategic location offers fast and competitively priced transport links for our mainland China-wide collection service, which is provided by our partners.  

TRANSIT TIME

• 21 days faster than sea freight

• Transit time of 19 days between China and Europe

• Fixed timetables with 6 departures a week

Our direct consol service from the rail hub in China to our depot in the UK is achieved in an average transit time of just 23 days, a significant transit time saving when compared to ocean. We have fixed weekly import departures, enabling you to schedule with confidence.

FREIGHT RATE

• Up to 6 times more affordable than air freight

Rail is a cost effective option when faster shipment speeds are required. Cost savings of up to 70% can be seen in comparison to air freight, with the greatest value available for large, dense cargo.

Stable market conditions have seen rail freight rates remain at the same level for extended periods of over 12 months, assisting clients to forecast with confidence, a boon for those dealing with the unpredictable Far East ocean market.  

ENVIRONMENT   

• Up to 90% less CO2 than air freight

With our need to be more aware of the environment and the impact that transporting goods long distances can have, rail again proves its worth offering a greener, cleaner option in comparison to air freight, where it is calculated that a 40ft container moving via rail with 20 tons of cargo would account for just 4% of the CO2 emissions it would take to move the same shipment by air.

ROUTE   

• Last-mile coverage in China and Europe by Ziegler 

Based on our schedule, please see below the route taken by our China Rail import service:

By Rail:  

Terminal in China / Kazakhstan / Russia / Belarus / Poland / Duisburg, Germany or Liege , Belgium

By Truck and By Ferry:

Duisburg or Liege to the UK depot and final destination.

RELIABLE  RAIL SOLUTIONS 

Let us help you introduce affordable and dependable transport for your goods with rail transport. Our customers have confidence and peace of mind and trust us with their business; More than 65% of the customers that have booked a first shipment, proceed to book the next shipment via the Ziegler Rail Solution.

Our rail team will make it easier for you, drawing on their experience in finding solutions to your unique needs. 

Contact us for more details.

Ziegler Belux has specialized road freight hubs strategically located to meet the diverse requirements and goals of our clients. Instead of a ‘one size fits all’ method, Ziegler’s expert teams approach each client individually, thanks to extensive knowledge and experience.

Learn more about the advantages and specialization of Ziegler’s road freight locations in Belgium and Luxembourg.

Ziegler Aalst

Ziegler Aalst is one of the main distribution platforms for our Belgian customers and agents across Europe. It also serves customers across several industries including fashion, food, automotive and technical industries.

The variety of industries served by this branch has resulted in a high level of flexibility in the ability to adapt the warehousing conditions to the needs of each customer.

Goods are mainly transported between southern Europe and Belgium. You can count on daily arrivals and departures to Spain and Italy and at least two departures a week to Portugal and Greece.

With its own distribution fleet of 50 trucks with tail lift, Ziegler Aalst can directly manage shipment to the final destination.

Contact:

Wijngaardveld 34

9300 Aalst

+32 (0)53 / 78.71.72

ziegler_aalst@zieglergroup.com

Ziegler Brussels (Canal)

Ziegler Canal has a reputation for specialties in fashion and beverage transport. Our warehouse is specially customized to the needs of these industries, with a sealed and secure area for storage of very costly wines, tailor-made racks to optimize storage, and an entire dedicated warehouse specifically for clothing.

Moreover, Ziegler Canal is also a hub that handles daily deliveries to Brussels.  Our warehouse, a passive building of the last generation, is located right at the entrance of the city and this is a great advantage.

Our flexibility is what sets us apart. We work with clients to find solutions and we can put our expertise at the client’s disposal. With our own fleet, as well as a good affiliated network, our deliveries are made throughout Belgium, France, Germany, UK, The Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland. 

For each shipment, we offer a Track & Trace service which allows customers to be aware of the progress and status of their order.

All the while, Ziegler Canal is helping the Ziegler Group reach towards high sustainability standards, with our eco-friendly warehouse and energy self-sufficiency.

Contact:

Chaussée de Vilvorde 11

1120 Brussels

+32 (0)2 / 422.23.26

logistics.canal@zieglergroup.coml

Ziegler Kortrijk

Ziegler Kortrijk is known for its daily shipments for groupage, LTL, and FTL to France, Switzerland and Italy thanks to a combination of direct back and forth transports and an extensive network of freight agents.

We work with companies operating in a wide variety of industries, from heavy industrial machinery, general machinery, and machine parts for medical equipment, to wood, glass, construction and textile products. 

We also have extensive experience in transporting chemicals and hazardous materials. 

The warehousing solutions are always tailored to the needs of the product and the customer.

Contact:

Transportcentrum LAR – Blok B1

8930 Menen-Rekkem

+32 (0) 56 / 43.12.20

ziegler_kortrijk@zieglergroup.com

Ziegler Ghent

Besides regular departures to Eastern Europe and Scandinavia, Ziegler Ghent is specialized with its frequent transport operations with the UK and Ireland. You can benefit from our daily road departures to the UK and export/import for groupage, LTL and FTL.

Even after Brexit, demand continues to increase. Ziegler Ghent is equally experienced in the transportation of harmless and dangerous chemicals, machinery, textiles, and medical devices.

We also offer dedicated supply chain solutions for our partners.

Contact:

Wiedauwkaai 7

9000 Gent

+32 (0)9 / 264.08.11

z_gent@zieglergroup.com

Ziegler Welkenraedt

Located between 4 major axes, Ziegler Welkenraedt has an important and strategic location. 

One of the main activities of Ziegler Welkenraedt is logistics. This site is the second largest distribution platform in Belgium and is specialized in supply chain management for companies operating mainly in the construction, manufacturing, clothing, and automotive industries. We transport nearly all types of products with the exception of chemicals and dangerous goods. Also, we have our own fleet which includes Euro 6 trucks and coil transport up to 24 tonnes. 

Moreover, this branch is not only specialized in logistics but also in daily shipments to and from Germany, as well as Eastern Europe. 

Our own fleet included special vehicles such as carriers and seedlings with tail lifts.  And on site, having almost a hundred employees allows them to offer daily departures for groupage, LTL and FTL within Belgium and to other European countries.

Contact:

rue Mitoyenne 897

4840 Welkenraedt

+32 (0)87/ 59.22.11

ziegler_welkenraedt@zieglergroup.com

Ziegler Expo Logistics

No matter where in the world you are attending trade fairs and exhibitions, Ziegler Expo will handle all your exhibition logistics. We work with all types of clients and exhibitors to offer a door-to-door service, taking care of the exhibitor’s needs from the time we leave their company until their return after the event. 

Ziegler Expo is able to deliver all kinds of goods. We have our own fleet to handle collections and transport according to the specific requests from clients. For transportation to international exhibitions, we use the comprehensive capacities of Ziegler Group to transport goods by sea, air, and/or land. 

Ziegler Expo provides expertise in all aspects of trade fairs, exhibitions and congresses. We have a specialised team within all areas of transport logistics. We have handled among others:

• Brussels fairs and exhibitions: official partner for the Motor Show, Batibouw, Busworld and supplier of the Exhibition Centre for other events.
• Other sites in Belgium such as Flanders Expo, Antwerp Xpo, Kortrijk Xpo, and all other small congress/exhibitions centres. We are also an official partner of Square Brussels convention centre.

• Customs and transport of works of art 

• We also have the expertise for deliveries to secure sites such as the European Parliament, NATO, Shape, etc.

Contact:

Boechoutlaan 107

1853  Strombeek-Bever

+32 (0)2 / 475.45.44

ziegler-expolog@zieglergroup.com

Ziegler Luxembourg

Ziegler Luxembourg is strategically located in Eurohub to facilitate logistics throughout Luxembourg, France, Belgium, Germany and even into The Netherlands and Switzerland. With our own fleet of EURO 6 class trucks, we organize multiple departures every day.

Ziegler Luxembourg is specialized in ​LTL shipping, and can welcome all general cargo. The branch is also specialized in transporting various kinds of coil products such as aluminum and paper. Track and Trace is available for all shipments, so clients always know where their shipment is.

In addition, this site has a 10.000 m2 warehouse, where alcoholic beverages can be stored.

A reputation for consistent client satisfaction and on-time deliveries has made Ziegler Luxembourg a trusted logistic provider in the region. We remain ready to assist new customers with their shipping needs.

Contact:

335 ZAE Wolser J L 

3434 Dudelange

Luxembourg

+352 26.51.40.03

ziegler_luxembourg@zieglergroup.com

Ziegler Liège (Herstal)

This site is specialized in storage but also in import and export for partial or full (FTL) transport of general cargo throughout France. 

Moreover, Ziegler Herstal can charter anything needed for land delivery. With Track and Trace, the customer can check where their delivery is at all times.

Contact:

Parc Industriel des Hauts-Sarts 

Rue de l’Abbaye, 103

4040 Herstal

+32 (0) 4/ 248.24.50

ziegler_liege@zieglergroup.com

Ziegler Charleroi

Ziegler Charleroi is the place to receive the best options for complex cross-border transport for full or partial truckloads. 

With deep knowledge of customs procedures and charter connections, Ziegler Charleroi focuses on taking care of transport for their clients. 

Contact:

Rue des Fusillés 21 Ex. Terminal Airport BSCA

Building S7- Door A

6041 Gosselies

Tel : +32 (0)71/25.11.68

ziegler_charleroi@zieglergroup.com

Ziegler Zeebrugge

Ziegler Zeebrugge is strategically located at the Port of Zeebrugge to facilitate import and export to the UK and Ireland. With multiple daily departures to various destinations, we stay busy with clients who are satisfied with our ability to come up with unique and flexible solutions that other carriers cannot provide.. 

Our knowledge of customs procedures in this region keeps products moving towards the intended destination smoothly.  

As always, we keep doing the utmost to serve and satisfy our customers, and with our growing team which combines experience and new young talent, we are always seeking to improve our services.

Contact:

Kustlaan 180/A

8380 Zeebrugge

Tel : +32(0) 50/ 36 68 90

Whether your needs are complex or straightforward, Ziegler’s road freight specialists will come up with the best possible solutions for you. Beyond that, Ziegler Group operates a close-knit global network with 154 branches in more than 15 countries, and in 80 countries, Ziegler Group cooperates closely with trusted partners. 

Therefore, no matter the scale or complexity of your transportation needs, Ziegler Group will go the distance with you.

Currently rebounding from the impacts of 2020, Morocco is one of the world’s fastest developing markets. Over the past decade, Morocco improved by more than 50 places over its original position in the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking.

In 2012, the Ziegler Group believed in the potential of this market, mainly due to its proximity to Europe, and decided to make concentrated efforts to further develop its services in Morocco by investing in a new building in Casa Blanca and by creating more connections and solutions for customers regarding trade between Europe and Morocco. 

Over the past years, Ziegler Morocco made great progress in facilitating additional trade with Europe. Cooperation between strategic hubs in Bordeaux, Paris, Rekkem and Lyon allows us to provide expertise and services between these locations.

With more than 30 employees, a combination of own trucks and subcontractors, Ziegler Morocco’s facility offers a warehouse and storage area of 5,000 m2. We also have a secondary logistics warehouse of 4,000 m2.

Our most transported goods are imported goods such as food and pet foods but also pharmaceutical products or automotive parts. Currently, we are very active on the Ghent-Morocco line and have the capacity to manage transports of goods every Thursday along this lengthy route.

There is no set amount of departures per day, everything is scheduled according to groupage, but there are several arrivals and departures per week. Track and Trace visibility will be available soon.

Our employees’ ability to speak both French and English is one of our major capabilities and gives us a key advantage regarding trade between both continents. We are certified in security management systems for our supply chain (ISO 9001 and 28000). In addition, we are currently working through the process of becoming an Authorized Economic Operator for the customs administration as well as the General Directorate of Customs.

Due to high costs and complex procedures, most companies shrink away from training their drivers and many carriers do not comply with the requirements for DGR goods. However, being organised and respecting rules as well as procedures creates added value and Ziegler Morocco is proud to be one of the few carriers that adhere to these high standards.

Although the effects of COVID-19 hit hard on the larger economy, Ziegler Morocco was not overtly affected due to their recent digitization initiatives and their high usage of Ziegler Group’s tools. 

When considering a carrier, you should know that Ziegler Morocco was established in 1986 and was the first international carrier available in Morocco. We are a very family-friendly local establishment and share the same philosophy and company policy as every other Ziegler institute. We provide tailor-made solutions that not many other organizations can provide. Ziegler Morocco has a lot of flexibility and the experience needed to always look after our clients and to find solutions even when it does not seem possible.

Contact us for more information

When exporting or importing goods, sooner or later you are always confronted with the term ‘Incoterms‘. Many customers already know and understand it very well while some have only heard of it recently. However, there are also those who have less experience with trading goods and may not understand these industry-specific symbols and do not know how to read them.  Let’s dive in and make sense of these so we can understand which options are best for your situation.

‘Incoterms’ is the abbreviation for ‘International Commercial Terms’, which are the set of international rules that define the terms of sale and are accepted and applicable worldwide. These rules define the cost and responsibility breakdown between buyer and seller and reflect the type of transportation that is agreed upon.

Incoterms were first published in 1936 and have since been revised several times. The most recently published version is Incoterms 2020.

The rules, as currently formulated, apply in both international and domestic commercial settings.

Incoterms 2020 rules clarify who is responsible for specific costs and stages of transport (loading, unloading, insurance, etc.) Each set of rules is identified by a three-letter abbreviation.

Now to explain the specific stipulations each rule below:

• EXW (Ex Works) – applies to any form of transportation. Compared to other Incoterms, here the seller has the fewest obligations. Delivery is considered to have been completed when the goods are deposited at the place agreed on by the buyer. From then on, the buyer is responsible for arranging further collection, loading, unloading, transportation and all import, export and transit procedures.

• FCA (Free Carrier) – applies to multimodal transport. The seller is responsible for the goods and related costs until they are delivered to the designated place of unloading and handed over to the carrier for unloading. Responsibilities and costs related to unloading, loading, shipping, insurance, customs and tax formalities are covered by the buyer.

• FAS (Free Alongside Ship) – applies to inland and sea transport only. In this agreement, the buyer takes responsibility for all costs and risks associated with the transport of the cargo from the moment the goods arrive at the side of the ship. This means that the seller is not obliged to organize the loading of the goods onto the ship, and the buyer is responsible instead.

• FOB (Free on Board) – used only in inland waterways and ocean transportation. Extends the seller’s responsibility under the FCA rule to include loading onto the ship. From the moment the goods cross the ship’s side, all costs, risks, and insurance issues are passed to the buyer. FOB is the most popular Incoterms rule for imports from China.

• CFR (Cost and Freight) – CFR is implemented only for sea and inland waterway transportation. The seller is responsible for the goods and costs until the goods are delivered to the port of destination. Unloading, further loading, delivery to final destination, insurance, import costs and customs and tax formalities are the responsibility of the buyer.

• CIF (Cost, Insurance and Freight) – applies to sea or inland waterway transportation. The rules are very similar to CFR, however the cost and responsibility of insurance is transferred here from the buyer to the seller (until the goods reach the port of destination).

• DPU (Delivered at Place Unloaded) – this rule replaced DAT from Incoterms 2010. It applies to all forms of transport. DPU requires the seller to unload the goods at the destination port. However, further loading and delivery to the final destination as well as import costs and customs and tax formalities are the responsibility of the buyer.

• DAP (Delivered at Place) – may refer to various forms of transportation. The seller is responsible for the goods and associated costs until they are transported to the designated location. Clearance costs and import tax are the responsibility of the buyer.

• CPT (Carriage Paid to) – can be used for multimodal transport, combining several types of transport. The seller is obliged to bear the costs of transportation of goods to the specified destination. On the other hand, the buyer is responsible for insurance, import costs and customs and tax formalities.

• CIP (Carriage and Insurance Paid) – this rule is used in multimodal transportation. The seller takes responsibility for the goods up to the final destination and also pays for insurance up to that point. The buyer, on the other hand, is responsible for meeting import duties and taxes.

• DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) – applies to any type of transportation. In this scheme, the greatest responsibility and cost, including insurance and duty, is the responsibility of the seller.

Depending on what the buyer’s and seller’s needs are in this regard, appropriate Incoterms rules are selected for each transaction. The choice should take into account pricing, logistical requirements, and the willingness of each partner to bear different costs.

Ziegler consultants are always happy to advise you on choosing the best Incoterms for your company and specific transactions. Contact us and discover what we can offer you.

Diane Govaerts in an interview with Saskia Vanderstichele for BRUZZ Magazine on the background of the Ziegler Group, the challenges we faced in the coronavirus pandemic, our green solutions, and drive toward growing more and more sustainable.

“At Ziegler, we undertake various activities, all our new buildings are passive or almost passive, we segregate waste, print less, meet more frequently on the Internet, and rent bikes to our employees…”

Read more here:

Bruzz n° 1758 of 16-06-2021

A revolutionary, eco-friendly freight solution for Brussels.

With city centers throughout Belgium increasingly restricted to larger vehicles, Cargo Bikes are the future for urban delivery vehicles. Cargo Bikes are being welcomed with open arms by cities across Europe and the Ziegler Group is actively involved in introducing this solution, starting with Brussels.

Cargo Bikes – More efficient in city centers and pedestrian zones!

• No traffic jams
• Zero emissions
• Less road wear

Ziegler’s extra-long Cargo Bikes are already in operation in Brussels. The total length is 6 meters, and the trailer length is 3.6 meters with a maximum load capacity of 500 kilos.  Over the coming months, ten bikes of varying capacities will start performing last-mile deliveries in the Brussels city center.

How does it work?

Cargo Bikes fit into Ziegler’s existing distribution network with only a few specific changes. Delivery trucks bring pallets and packages to microhubs that are positioned around the city center. From these microhubs, the cargo bikes deliver goods into city center areas that have traffic restrictions. The bikes are equipped with track-and-trace, and deliveries to customers are done just like any other delivery.

Cargo Bikes allow our delivery services to make 25 stops in only two hours!

What kind of goods can such a vehicle deliver?

Cargo bikes can safely and efficiently transport various types of goods including, but not limited to: industrial goods, packages or pallets, dry food products, alcohol, clothing, and even products requiring temperature-controlled transport.

Ziegler Group is excited for the future of sustainable city transport, and Cargo Bikes will be playing a significant role in that future. Until relatively recently, existing road infrastructure did not make Cargo Bikes practical in big cities. But that is changing very quickly, not only making Cargo Bikes feasible but essential to the future of sustainable city transport.

It’s exciting to see how all involved parties are recognizing the positive impact that the Cargo Bike project represents. This is another crucial step that will make our cities less crowded and reduce the environmental impact of transport.

Learn more and order your Cargo Bike transport!

Phone: +32 02 422 2197

E-mail: cargobikebrussels@zieglergroup.com

Manufacturers of chemicals and other goods that are considered dangerous during transport need to pay extra attention to comply with all safety standards and exercise great care in their operations for social, environmental and business reasons. We understand that outsourcing this part of the business process can be particularly stressful.

Choosing a dangerous goods supply chain partner is challenging. You want to be sure that your partner is trustworthy and experienced, that the highest safety standards are as much their highest priority as they are for you, and that you can count on their support and expert advice at every stage.

Ziegler has over 30 years of experience in the transport of dangerous goods and has a network of experts in this field. Three of them – Bruno Fangon, Safety Expert at Ziegler France, Luc Van Rompaey, Dangerous Goods Safety Adviser at Ziegler Belgium, and Raphael Lang, Quality and Environment Officer at Ziegler Switzerland and Germany – explain how to transport dangerous goods and what cannot be overlooked in the process.

What goods are classified as dangerous (ADR, regulated hazardous products)?

We should start with the terminology.

ADR stands for “Accord européén relatif au transport international des marchandises dangereuses par route” and refers to the international transport of dangerous goods by road.

The IMDG Code is the international guidelines for the safe transport or shipment of hazardous materials by water.

IATA (International Air Transport Association) Dangerous Goods Regulations are used to ensure the safe transport of dangerous goods by air.

And RID applies to the international carriage of dangerous goods by rail.

For simplicity’s sake, we will use ‘regulations’ to refer to all the above.

Substances which (even in limited quantities) can cause serious damage or nuisance to humans, animals, materials and/or the environment during transport are defined as dangerous goods. They are classified this way, whether they can be hazardous alone or by coming into contact with another substance.

Dangerous goods are divided into classes based on the type of hazard they present. These classifications are made based on the physical properties of the substance. If a substance has several hazardous properties, it is assigned to the class that presents the most significant danger during transport.

The following classes occur:

• class 1 : explosives
• class 2 : gases
• class 2.1 : flammable gases
• class 2.2 : non-flammable, non toxic gases
• class 2.3 : toxic gases
• class 3 : flammable liquids
• class 4 : flammable solids; substances liable to spontaneous combustion; substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
• class 4.1 : flammable solids, self-reactive substances, solid desensitized explosives and polymerizing substances
• class 4.2 : substances liable to spontaneous combustion
• class 4.3 : substances which, in contact with water, emit flammable gases
• class 5 : oxidizing substances and organic peroxides
• class 5.1 : oxidizing substances
• class 5.2 : organic peroxides
• class 6 : toxic and infectious substances
• class 6.1 : toxic substances
• class 6.2 : infectious substances
• class 7 : radioactive material
• class 8 : corrosive substances
• class 9 : miscellaneous dangerous substances and articles

It is important to remember that the classes’ numerical order is not a reflection of the hazard’s degree of severity.

A Ziegler expert will always help you make sure that your transport is carried out under optimum safety conditions and in compliance with regulations, based on the information contained in the Safety Data Sheet.

What types of dangerous goods can be transported and which cannot?

Ziegler can transport many dangerous goods including flammable liquids and solid, spontaneously flammable material or similar materials that give off flammable gases when in contact with water. We can also transport oxidizing materials (e.g. fertilizers), organic peroxide, toxic materials, corrosive goods such as acids or miscellaneous dangerous materials and objects, e.g. lithium cells and batteries.

Can each type of dangerous goods be transported by each freight type (sea, air, road, rail)?

We can globally transport dangerous goods by any type of cargo depending on customer expectations and needs, with respect to the specific requirements that exist for certain modes of transport.

When it comes to the transportation and storage of hazardous products, how well is Ziegler prepared for safety?

Ziegler is an expert in the transportation of dangerous goods. We know that in the transport of ​​regulated hazardous products, no margin of error is allowed.

We make every effort to comply with all laws and regulations regarding the transport of dangerous goods in any mode of transport and during temporary storage and transhipment. Each driver who comes into contact with hazardous materials always has up-to-date ADR training. Employees of operational, commercial and other departments are also trained in it.

Ziegler’s vehicles are equipped to transport hazardous materials, are compliant with related regulations, and are subject to periodic inspections. Our Dangerous Goods Safety Advisors prepare an annual report on the company’s performance in this area for our management and local public authorities.  SQAS (Safety & Quality Assessment for Sustainability) assessments have been carried out at several of our sites.  SQAS is a system of uniform assessments conducted by third parties to evaluate the performance of logistics service providers and chemical distributors. SQAS assessments cover quality, safety, security, environment and CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) and is coordinated by the CEFIC (European Chemical Industry Council).

Last, but definitely not least, is our IT support, which is designed to support our stringent safety measures. Our system guarantees notifications for prohibited products, has an automatic monitoring system, alerts, products nomenclature and route notes creating options.

When it comes to storage, different regulations apply to the storage of dangerous goods than to transport [The Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 on the classification, labelling and packaging of substances and mixtures (CLP Regulation)].

Products that are subject to CLP regulations can be stored in several of our units.  In Belgium, for example, we even have a Seveso high-level warehouse. The Seveso Directive aims to prevent, prepare for and respond to accidents involving hazardous substances in the EU industry.

Our high standards minimize environmental risk and maximize safety and efficiency.

How do we support customers in the process of warehousing and transporting of hazardous materials?

According to the laws and regulations, it is worth knowing that the sender has to confirm that the dangerous goods are correctly classified and approved for transport to make sure that they are properly packed and identified to prepare the necessary declarations, etc.

However, we realize that many of our clients need our support throughout the process, and want a partner who can handle the hazardous goods turnover process from A to Z. We have experience in the end-to-end supply chain management of dangerous goods, from packaging, storage, preparation of the necessary documentation, customs formalities, to transport and delivery. You can count on our experience and expertise in this area.

Contact your Ziegler consultant or find your local Ziegler contact to find out more.