Autolink opens first terminal in Germany in Rostock

On September 22, 2022, the first Autolink vehicle terminal in Germany was opened at the Rostock Overseas Port. In October 2020, Autolink Germany GmbH and ROSTOCK PORT GmbH announced their collaboration on the construction of the first auto terminal in a German Baltic Sea port after successful concession negotiations.

(Rostock) “ROSTOCK PORT is continuously developing its already very diversified business model and is striving to add further stable pillars to this model. Therefore, we are very pleased to have won Autolink Germany as the operator of the new logistics terminal after the tender process,” said Dr. Gernot Tesch, Managing Director of ROSTOCK PORT.

On 75,000 m², one of the most modern vehicle terminals in Europe was built in less than two years in the heart of the Rostock port, meeting the highest safety and quality standards of the automotive industry.

ROSTOCK PORT began preparing the areas between the port entrance and Basin A back in 2019. One of the most extensive projects right at the beginning was the connection of two sub-areas. For this purpose, ROSTOCK PORT had an underpass built under the four-lane port access and exit road. There is also a direct connection of the new terminal to berths 41 and 51 in Basin A. For this, Autolink is constructing its own bridge over the East-West road. At the already modernized berths, the largest RoRo ships from the Baltic Sea region with a draft of up to 14 m can be processed.

Powerful rail connection

The new auto terminal has received a powerful rail connection. In cooperation between DB Netz and ROSTOCK PORT, a double-track connection (tracks 601+602) with nearly 600 m of usable length was built. The track ends have been equipped by Autolink with two double ramps for loading and unloading the car trains. Additionally, there is a connection for individual and special transports to tracks 504 and 505 of Deutsche Bahn, where trains can be unloaded using a mobile ramp.

The new terminal offers space for about 3,200 vehicles. Autolink and ROSTOCK PORT expect a throughput of up to 150,000 cars per year. Primarily, new cars are to be exported to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe.

Shorter transport routes for new cars across the Baltic Sea

The numerous production sites of the largest automobile manufacturers are located in Southern and Southeastern Europe. From these regions, transshipment through the Rostock port is advantageous due to the shorter transport routes. Independent studies have calculated that relocating the transport chains of new vehicles to Scandinavia without the detour via the North Sea can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50%. Thus, both rail and sea transport save time, electricity, and fuel.

E-vehicles for own transport activities

Autolink Germany GmbH also places great importance on energy and CO2 savings in terminal handling and will operate fully electric vehicles for its own transport activities under the slogan “The green way across the Baltic.” A highly efficient LED lighting system has been installed to illuminate the terminal, which allows for usage-dependent control to save energy while simultaneously meeting the requirements for handling at an auto terminal.

Arnd Brockmüller, Managing Director of Autolink Germany GmbH, on the construction of the new vehicle terminal: “With the new auto terminal in Rostock, we are closing a gap, as there is currently no comparable offering in a German Baltic Sea port. In the planning, construction, and also in the later operation, ecological and economic aspects have been sensibly combined. This will shorten transport routes for manufacturers from the factories in Eastern or Southeastern Europe, making transports faster and cheaper while also saving CO2.”

Coverage of the entire Baltic Sea region

Autolink Germany GmbH, as part of the Autolink Group, covers the entire automotive logistics market in the Baltic Sea region together with its sister company Axess Logistics. Approximately 1,000 employees handle more than one million car transports annually. Branches and terminals are located in Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Kazakhstan.

Photo: © Autolink