PEKAES (Poland) cooperates for the First intermodal connection with Romania

The First intermodal train to connect Poland and Romania has recently been launched, SPEDCONT Lodz has been selected as handling terminal. This new block train connects two of the largest markets in Central and Eastern Europe, Poland and Romania. An interesting detail consists in the fact that it is the first intermodal train between these two countries.

The implementation of this new block train has faced many challenges. First of all, the lack of railway infrastructure across the Tatra Mountains, which would have shortened the route. Under these circumstances, the current route covers approximately 1,000 km, crossing 4 borders, in just 36 hours (transit time between the terminal).

Three of the four borders (Hungary – Czechia – Slovakia – Poland) are in the Schengen area, which reduces checks formalities to only Romanian-Hungarian border.

The choice of terminals was also important in the ‘economy’ of the total transit time, respectively of the trucking operations at the ends. In Poland, SPEDCONT was selected for its location in the center of Poland, which makes it possible to efficiently handle smoothly pick-ups and deliveries from clients across all Poland. In Romania, Oradea terminal was chosen due to its reduced congestion for the time being.

Clients demands for this connection are part of the motivation to develop this new block train. But there are major advantages in terms of the strategic position of the two countries. This train can be connected with the existing lines that go to Scandinavia. Also links to Balkans can be proposed, via other existing block trains to Stara Zagora, Bulgaria. Further connection via road makes it easier to reach Sofia or Greece.

First train tests started on July 11th, 2018 and, thanks to the professionalism of the operational partners involved, including PEKAES, went smoothly.

Current setup includes a weekly departure with a composition of approx. 30 units per way, and 45′ Pallet Wide High Cube Containers are being used. Departures are now set for every Wednesday from Oradea terminal, and for every Friday from SPEDCONT Terminal. The intention is to rapidly increase the frequency of 2 trains per week, and to 40 units per train.

“PEKAES Group is constantly investing in the development of its rail groupage network in Europe. Thanks to this cooperation, we gained new operational opportunities on a large scale. Currently, from the SPEDCONT terminal, trains on the Oradea – Łódź route run once a week. From our perspective this is another connection thanks to which we can distribute containers to various parts of Europe. Importantly, it is a regular connection”– says Maciej Bachman, President of the PEKAES Group.

Intermodal transport has several very important advantages:

• Predictability (well-defined timetables, restrictions or limitations announced by operators in time);
• Regularity (trains run continuously, including weekends);
• Security (continuous tracking of units);
• Stability of costs (in the case of significant volumes of goods);
• “Green” – low impact transport of CO2 emissions.

Pls. visit www.pekaes.pl for more information.