What is GCU ?
GCU: General Contract of Use for wagons
CUU: Contrat Uniforme d’Utilisation des wagons
AVV: Allgemeiner Vertrag für die Verwendung von Güterwagen
The General Contract of Use for Wagons (GCU) is a multilateral contract based on the international convention COTIF 1999 and Annex CUV.
The GCU specifies the mutual rights and obligations of Wagon Keepers (K) and Railway Undertakings (RU) with regard to the use of rail freight wagons as a means of transport throughout Europe and beyond.
The General Contract of Use for Wagons (GCU) was established in July 2006 as a result of collaboration between three associations: the International Union of Railways (UIC), the International Union of Private wagon keepers (UIP) or the European Rail Freight Association (ERFA). The objective was (and is) to streamline and standardize the contractual framework for the shared use of freight wagons. Since its inception, the GCU has expanded into a robust network of more than 800 signatories across 20 countries, with approximately 560,000 wagons registered in the GCU Wagon Database.
GCU Explained
Check out news from GCU Bureau
The Role of the GCU Bureau
The GCU Bureau ensures the efficient functioning of the GCU and fosters contract amendments and annual publication of the contract. It oversees the development and maintenance of GCU’s digital tools such as the website, the wagon database and the GCU Broker.
Through the website, users can download the latest version of the contract, review the history of amendments, access contact details of other signatories, and identify wagon Keepers by entering wagon numbers in the publicly accessible database.
The GCU Bureau provides each signatory with a personalized login to the GCU Broker, GCU’s data platform. This platform allows signatories to manage their contact details, register the wagon numbers of their fleet and ensure smooth digital exchange of data with other signatories. Maintaining accurate and up-to-date information is vital and mandatory under the GCU, and each signatory is responsible for ensuring the accuracy of its records on the platform.
The GCU Bureau is represented by the Trustee and in accordance with the provisions of the GCU, the Trustee is obligated to maintain a neutral position in potential conflicts of interest between signatories. As a result, the Trustee is not entitled to make decisions regarding the interpretation of the GCU. In case of differing interpretations of the GCU by two signatories, it can be helpful to reach out to one of the founding associations or seek legal advice.