The port authority of Duisburg, Duisburger Hafen AG (Duisport), has announced it will build a trimodal container terminal on the site that used to be the port’s coal island. It claims it is building the largest container terminal in the European hinterland.
This is Duisport’s response to the sharp decline in coal handling resulting from the energy transformation, the company tells Kallanish. In the future, Duisport will instead use the coal island in particular to handle the booming trade with China. The new terminal will be developed into the key European gateway hub, in particular to handle train traffic along the corridors of the New Silk Road, and will therefore operate under the name “Duisburg Gateway Terminal”.
Even now, around 30% of all rail-based trade between China and Europe runs through the port of Duisburg, Duisport says. Currently, between 35-40 trains per week run between Duisport and a dozen different destinations in China. The terminal will thus significantly increase the port’s capacities for trade with China.
On the 240,000 square metre area, 220,000m² are planned for the terminal and 20,000m² for warehouses. Six gantry crane systems, 12 block train platforms with a track length of 730m each, five loading areas and three berths for inland vessels, as well as a container storage area of 60,000m² will ensure rapid container handling in two construction stages.
Pre-carriage and onward carriage of goods at the trimodal terminal are to be handled primarily by water and rail. The investment volume amounts to around €100 million ($111m). The terminal is set for commissioning in 2022. The development will be carried out with international partners Cosco Shipping Logistics, Hupac SA and HTS Group.
