In this article reference is made to a speech delivered by the Managing Director of CEMAT (the Italian national company for combined transport) illustrating the current outlook in the field of land intermodality in Eastern and Central Europe, as well as other issues connected to intermodal traffic relations between these countries and Western Europe. Particular attention is paid to the market for Combined Road rail Transport, both as accompanied and as non accompanied transport. These two sector are examined in an effort to detect the obstacles that are still preventing the expansion in Eastern and Central Europe of non accompanied transport techniques, now a minor phenomenon elsewhere. The analysis of the present outlook and the identification of current problems are followed by the initial steps that national governments and railway companies in these countries should make in order to upgrade transport to and from these areas. Lastly, reference is aimed to the action undertaken by national governments and transport companies of the three Western European countries having the largest share of intermodal connections with Eastern and Central Europe (Austria, Germany and Italy), particularly with reference to the Italian company CEMAT.
