The Duisburg Gateway Terminal (DGT) is now operational after the completion of the first construction phase. Europe’s largest inland container terminal was officially inaugurated on Monday, 16 September, in the presence of shareholders and local politicians. A few hours later, it received the first China-Europe train operated by RTSB.
“The Duisburg Gateway Terminal sets standards in terms of productivity and market proximity: with 730-metre-long transhipment tracks, fully digitalised processes and a central location in the heart of Europe, the facility offers essential prerequisites for the success of combined transport,” said Michail Stahlhut, CEO of the Hupac Group, one of DGT’s shareholders, the other being duisport, HTS and PSA.
The DGT project was launched in 2019. The plan was to build a terminal on Duisport’s former Coal Island that would cover an area of around 235,000 square metres. The project has finalised the first construction phase, meaning that a part of it is fully operational, but a further expansion is approaching.
At the moment, the terminal’s operational area covers a surface of 150,000 square metres. It has six block train tracks (730 metres each) operating and three crane systems serving it. By the end of the expansion, the terminal is expected to serve customers with a capacity of up to 850,000 TEUs annually. Moreover, tracks and cranes are expected to double, reaching 12 and 6 respectively.
China-Europe services right on time
The inauguration of DGT coincided with the arrival of the first China-Europe container train in the facility, signalling the future of the terminal’s operations. The train was operated by RTSB and carried consumer goods. According to the Eurasian railway operator, this service reflects the high demand for rail logistics solutions between China and Europe.
On top of the westbound train, the inaugural day was also marked by the departure of the terminal’s first eastbound train hedging to China and carrying 44 containers. In RTSB’s eyes, Duisburg’s hub role along the Silk Road is expected to grow more with the DGT investment.
European Silk Road Summit 2024
RTSB, the railway operator of the China-Europe service that inaugurated DGT, will be one of the key Silk Road players present at the European Silk Road Summit 2024, taking place in Vienna on 27-28 November.
Registrations for the yearly event are already open, while the programme, which this year highlights the fast-recovering China-Europe rail market, is shaping up.