Companies in Japan are switching from trucks to rail to transport freight over land. In some cases, competitors are cooperating in the venture, according to a report in the Japan Times. Japan’s Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism Ministry is supporting the move for its positive effects in reducing carbon emissions. CO2 emissions from trains is one-eighth of that emitted by trucks in Japan.
The Transport Ministry wants to increase the volume of cargo transported by trains by 20 percent in the next three years by providing subsidies to companies that jointly operate efficient transport business models.
A 26-car freight train can carry the same amount of cargo as 65 10-ton trucks. JR Freight handles almost all of railway freight in Japan.
Freight trains now enjoy about a five-percent market share of domestic cargo transport in Japan in terms of volume. Trucks carry 50 percent and ships, 44 percent.
In Japan, the moves from one mode of transport to the other has appeared by the chronic shortage of truck drivers.
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