Construction of Dunkerque rail-road transhipment terminal gets underway

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FRANCE: Modalis Group and Dunkerque-Port have laid the foundation stone for the EUR25m Western Port rail-road transhipment terminal, which is being developed to link the Channel port to major European industrial centres by rail. The open access facility at the heart of a dense industrial zone and close to roll-on/roll-off ferry terminals is scheduled to open in spring 2026.

It will be able to accommodate four 750 m long freight trains per day, and the target is to transfer up to 50 000 unaccompanied swap bodies and trailers per year from road to rail and avoid the emission of 70 000 tonnes of CO?.

The first regular service will by operated by Modalis subsidiary Delta Rail to link Dunkerque with Piacenza in Italy via Lyon. DFDS offers ferry connections to Dover in the UK and Rosslare in Ireland.

The site will include a large storage area that can accommodate more than 600 transport units, and a shared area for the maintenance of wagons, swap bodies and semi-trailers to enhance the range of services available in the area and limit the need for empty journeys.

The terminal will use HVO-powered handling equipment and electric locomotives.

'Seaports have an essential role to play in intermodal arbitrations: 80% of goods arrive through them and the choice is then made to use rail, water or road transport', said Modalis Group Chairman Bernard Me? on November 25. 'Equipping the ports with modern modal shift infrastructure and efficient handling vehicles will guarantee mass freight demand throughout France.'