The Modalis Group and the Port of Dunkirk are jointly developing a new €25 million intermodal terminal project, which will provide an additional option for long-haul freight transport across Europe. The 9.6-hectare complex is located along the Loon-Plage line, adjacent to the Ro-Ro terminals serving the UK and Ireland, integrating rail transport with existing maritime routes across the English Channel.
Once operational, the facility will be accessible to all rail operators and will be able to simultaneously handle four 750-meter-long freight trains, each with a capacity of up to 150 semi-trailers. The terminal is designed to handle up to 50,000 intermodal units (ITUs) per year, reducing road congestion around Dunkirk and reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 70,000 tonnes annually. The first line will connect Dunkirk and Piacenza via Lyon. It will be launched by Modalis subsidiary Delta Rail, providing connectivity between industrial regions of Europe and the Dunkirk-Dover and Dunkirk-Rosslayr maritime services.
The facility will utilize HVO-fueled loaders and electric shunting locomotives, and will also feature a shared maintenance area for wagons and trailers, reducing idle runs for repairs. In its first phase, the project will create approximately 15 jobs and will make a significant contribution to the development of France’s multimodal infrastructure and the EU’s goal of increasing the share of rail freight.