Dunkerque-Port entrusts Modalis Group with operating its future terminal.
DUNKERQUE-PORT ENTRUSTS THE OPERATION OF ITS FUTURE RAIL-ROAD TRANSHIPMENT TERMINAL TO THE MODALIS GROUP
After a Call for Expression of Interest (EOI), Dunkerque- Port has selected the MODALIS Group to operate the rail-road transhipment terminal currently under construction at the western port. Intended for combined rail/road transport , this terminal will enable road trailers and swap bodies (ITUs) to be carried by train over long distances, thereby reducing the use of road-only transport. As a more sustainable logistics alternative, road/rail transhipment is a key lever to decongest the roads, reduce CO₂ emissions and optimise the flow of goods. This strategic new infrastructure will be commissioned in March 2026.
A KEY LEVER FOR LOGISTICS APPEAL AND THE MODAL SHIFT OF TRAFFIC FLOWS IN THE REGION
Situated on a 9.6 - hectare plot of land, along the Loon railway, in the immediate vicinity of the Great-Britain/Ireland roll-on/roll-off terminals and the new economic activity zones , this new terminal will be a key tool to decongest the road network and accelerate the energy transition of logistics flows.
It is aimed in priority at unaccompanied transported goods: semi-trailers, swap bodies and intermodal transport units (ITUs) from the port’s roll-on/roll-off service traffic as well as flows generated by the very many logistics and industrial activities situated in the Dunkirk region and beyond.
With a processing capacity of up to four 750-metre trains a day, the facility will enable up to 50,000 ITUs to be removed from the road each year from 2032, accounting for nearly 70,000 tonnes of CO₂ avoided. It will offer an efficient and sustainable alternative for transport chains while helping facilitate the port’s road traffic flows.
This new facility is part and parcel of the region’s decarbonisation trajectory defined collectively by all its private and public stakeholders. It is consistent with the targets set by the French Climate and Resilience Law as well as the ambitions of the European Green Pact which aims for carbon neutrality by 2050.
A TERMINAL SUPPORTING THE ENERGY TRANSITION TO BE OPERATIONAL IN EARLY 2026
The project will begin in August with the creation of a roundabout at the north of the site, followed by the construction of the multimodal platform, for an estimated overall joint investment of around €25 million. The site’s operation will generate up to 15 jobs by 2030.
Besides handling ITUs, the terminal will also host value-added activities such as washing, swap body and semi-trailer maintenance and minor rail maintenance.
AN INITIAL INTERNATIONAL CONNECTION AS SOON AS IT OPENS
The MODALIS Group is already preparing a regular connection between northern Italy and Dunkirk via its subsidiary DELTA RAIL (combined transport operator). It will be operational from the terminal’s inauguration in March 2026. This rail connection will be along the major European logistics corridors, strengthening Dunkirk’s strategic position as the multimodal gateway to northern Europe.
This terminal will be public and also receive other operators’ trains, in an aim to open up and pool flows.
>>> Read further in the article in attachment