One contract, one direction, one shared vision: A strong and future-ready GCU

On 29 October 2026, members of the GCU Joint Committee, guests, and experts from across the rail freight sector came together in Mainz for a full day of intensive discussions and work with the aim of determining the GCU’s future. The goal was clear: to establish a strong vision for the future. One that strengthens the GCU, supports fair and transparent cooperation between railway undertakings and wagon keepers and holds up for at least the next 20 years. The workshop built on a comprehensive analysis of the interviews conducted with GCU signatories. A big thank you to all interviewees for openly sharing their experiences and perspectives: these served as the basis for the day’s discussions. The group went straight to work, focusing on key areas and what changes they should undergo in the future: - Contract application and service portfolio - Governance and organisatio - Digitalisation The event demonstrated how a shared goal can unite people across organisations, functions and national borders. This workshop was only the beginning. The goal for the coming weeks is to further develop the topics and turn this shared vision into concrete next steps. This initiative is supported by the team of Infront Consulting & Management, from the development of the vision all the way to its implementation.