DP World has completed the first shipment on a new intermodal rail corridor linking western Europe with southeastern European automotive markets through Romania.
DP World has completed the first delivery of finished vehicles on a new intermodal rail corridor linking Zeebrugge, Belgium, with Aiud, Romania, creating a new logistics route between western and southeastern Europe.
The inaugural shipment, destined for Chisinau, Moldova, marks the first end-to-end finished vehicle rail operation in Europe managed by DP World. After arriving at the company’s terminal in Aiud, the vehicles continued by road to their final destination.
The pilot service forms part of DP World’s wider strategy to establish Aiud as a regional distribution hub for finished vehicles serving Romania and neighbouring markets. The company plans to introduce a regular twice-monthly service during the second half of 2026 and expand the network by connecting Aiud with additional European ports, including Koper in Slovenia.
Aiud terminal strengthens regional logistics network
DP World said combining rail and road transport offers significant environmental and operational advantages compared with long-distance road haulage. The intermodal service is expected to reduce carbon emissions by up to 55% while improving cost certainty by reducing exposure to changing road transport regulations, increasing road charges and cross-border administrative complexity.
Dragos Calin, Director Freight, Balkans at DP World, said: “By combining rail and road in a single integrated service, we are giving customers greater reliability, lower emissions and a solution that can scale as trade flows across Europe continue to evolve.”
The Aiud multimodal logistics terminal, opened in 2024 following a €21 million investment by DP World, covers 180,000 square metres and is connected to both Romania’s national rail network and the A10 motorway. The facility provides container handling, storage, customs and freight forwarding services, supporting the company’s ambition to strengthen European supply chains through integrated multimodal logistics.
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