BAV Confirms Support Contribution for Gateway Basel Nord

The construction of the container terminal Gateway Basel Nord on the site of the former marshalling yard Basel Badischer Bahnhof will be supported with 83 million francs in federal contributions. The Swiss Federal Office of Transport (BAV) has confirmed a corresponding decision from the summer of 2018. This followed a hearing ordered by the Federal Administrative Court involving the company Swissterminal.

(Basel) Three years ago, the BAV approved the application of Gateway Basel Nord AG (GBN) and decided to co-finance the first phase of a container terminal for the transshipment of goods between rail and road. However, the container logistics company Swissterminal contested this decision and demanded to be included in the proceedings. The Federal Administrative Court supported this. In the meantime, the legal hearing of Swissterminal has taken place. However, the BAV has now confirmed the decision from 2018: GBN will receive a federal contribution of 83 million francs for the first phase of the container terminal. The total costs for the first phase amount to 130 million.

The basis for this decision is the Goods Transport Act, which allows federal investment contributions for the construction, expansion, and renewal of transshipment facilities for combined transport.

Planning Approval Process is Underway

The planning approval process for the first phase of Gateway Basel Nord is underway. Objections have been raised against the project. The BAV expects to conclude the process during the coming year. GBN plans to further expand the facility in a second phase. This will connect the transshipment facility to Rhine shipping. For this purpose, the Swiss Rhine Ports (SRH) are planning a third harbor basin. The BAV has recognized the fundamental eligibility for funding of the second construction phase in a separate decision.

Photo: © Gateway Basel Nord