The next five years will be critical for the realisation of the EU’s sustainable transport targets. The European Commission expects rail freight traffic to increase by 50 % by 2030 and double by 2050 as per its 2020 Sustainable and Smart Mobility Strategy). As the main private investors into rail freight, wagon keepers have a vested interest in its growth and an important business and political role to play in supporting the EU delivering on its objectives. (....)