CargoBeamer specializes in transporting semi-trailers by rail and acts as an operator of intermodal terminals. Now, the first own terminal in Germany is to be built in Kaldenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia.
The construction of the site near the German-Dutch border, specifically designed for the transfer of semi-trailers to rail, is set to start in the second half of 2025. The terminal is expected to begin operations in 2026.
Scaling the System
The company aims to set new standards in environmentally friendly freight transport with its technology for transferring semi-trailers to rail, according to the information provided. Since summer 2021, CargoBeamer has been operating its
first own terminal in Calais, France. The series maturity of the transfer technology has been proven there for several years.
With the new location in Kaldenkirchen, the company aims to reach another milestone in scaling the system. At the same time, it is intended to serve as a high-performance transfer facility for truck traffic. A targeted annual transfer capacity of up to 228,000 loading units is anticipated, as new capacities for combined road-rail transport to and from Western Germany and the Benelux markets.
According to the company, the project's investment costs are primarily financed by the Federal Railway Authority within the framework of
the guidelines for promoting combined traffic transfer facilities, as well as by CargoBeamer.
"At our new location in Kaldenkirchen, we will demonstrate the capabilities of our technology with Europe's largest CargoBeamer terminal to date. Bringing significantly more transport from road to rail requires new, high-frequency services and terminals perfectly designed for semi-trailers—both of which CargoBeamer will deliver in Kaldenkirchen," says Nicolas Albrecht, CEO of CargoBeamer.
Two Construction Phases
The new terminal will be built on the site of the existing Cabooter Group's reach stacker terminal. The construction will be carried out in two phases - the start of construction for the first expansion
phase is planned for fall 2025, with its completion in the second half of 2026.
On approximately 133,000 square meters, the CargoBeamer transfer technology will be installed, more than 270 parking spaces for semi-trailers will be created, as well as facilities for automated check-in and check-out processes will be established. During the construction phase, the ongoing operation of the existing reach stacker terminal is largely to be ensured, according to the company.
Shortly after the terminal's opening in 2026, the full expansion stage is planned to be realized. This is intended to expand the total area of the terminal to around 159,000 square
