The creation of a new terminal by two of Europe’s biggest rail freight operators is a major boost for intermodal links between western and eastern Europe. P&O Ferrymasters and the Transmec Group’s jointly owned company, Intermodal Vest, will manage the new facility in Oradea, Romania.

In what marks a significant extension of the long-time collaboration between the two companies, this dedicated facility will, crucially, also be open to other operators from next year. Its proximity to the Romania-Hungaria border and the local ring road will provide not only fast access to the heart of Romania but also help open up the wider rail network from the west into the Balkans, Turkey and Bulgaria.

Terminal operations

The terminal will be operational around-the-clock, with two shunting locomotives and two reachstackers – used for handling intermodal cargo containers in small to medium-sized ports – enabling the fast turnaround of freight. On-site services also include import/export clearance, the capability to handle dangerous goods and the transfer to and storage in secure warehouses. Support is available from a network of 50 offices across Europe and some 2,500 specialised containers.

Wim Blomme, Intermodal Director for P&O Ferrymasters, said: “Our customers will now benefit from a dedicated and integrated product covering ferry, rail, road and terminal operations – all of which is focused on enhancing service levels and creating a future network to build upon. The investments made to acquire and upgrade the terminal demonstrate our long-term vision and ambition to develop further in the east.”

Dedicated hub

Danilo Montecchi, Managing Director of Transmec, said the new initiative would take the current service to ‘new levels’, adding: “Customers can now benefit from a dedicated hub that provides a price-competitive and eco-friendly gateway to important growth markets.”

The companies, which have been in partnership for 14 years, currently run three round trips per week between Oradea and Zeebrugge, and a further two per week between Oradea and Piacenza, Italy. The new terminal has the capacity to double current output and the operator is working to make the facility available to other intermodal operators in early 2017.