CargoBeamer with First Own Terminal in Germany

CargoBeamer, a leading provider for the transport of semi-trailers by rail and operator of intermodal terminals, will establish the first CargoBeamer terminal in Germany in Kaldenkirchen, North Rhine-Westphalia. At the site near the German-Dutch border, one of the most modern and efficient transshipment facilities in Europe is being created, specifically designed for the transfer of semi-trailers to rail. After construction begins in the second half of 2025, the terminal is scheduled to be operational in 2026.

(Leipzig/Kaldenkirchen) CargoBeamer is setting new standards in climate-friendly freight transport with its innovative and patented technology for the transshipment of semi-trailers to rail. Since summer 2021, the company has been operating its first own CargoBeamer terminal in Calais, France, where the market readiness of the CargoBeamer transshipment technology has been demonstrated for several years.

Driving the Transport Transition in Germany with New Terminals

With the location in Kaldenkirchen, CargoBeamer achieves another milestone in scaling its system and simultaneously brings one of the most powerful transshipment facilities for truck traffic to the market. With an annual transshipment capacity of up to 228,000 loading units, the CargoBeamer terminal in Kaldenkirchen opens significant new capacities for combined road-rail transport to and from Western Germany and the Benelux markets. The investment costs of the project are primarily financed by the Federal Railway Authority as part of the guidelines for promoting transshipment facilities for combined transport, as well as by CargoBeamer.

Nicolas Albrecht, CEO of CargoBeamer, says: “With the first CargoBeamer terminal in Germany, we are giving the transport transition in Europe the urgently needed new impetus. At our new location in Kaldenkirchen, we will demonstrate the capabilities of our technology with the largest CargoBeamer terminal in Europe to date. To significantly increase the transport of goods from road to rail, new, high-frequency services and terminals perfectly designed for semi-trailers are needed – both of which CargoBeamer will deliver in Kaldenkirchen.”

Implementation in Two Construction Phases

The CargoBeamer terminal in Kaldenkirchen will be built on the site of the existing reach stacker terminal of the Cabooter Group and will be realized in two construction phases. Construction for the first expansion phase will begin in autumn 2025, with completion planned for the second half of 2026. Approximately 133,000 square meters will be used to install the CargoBeamer transshipment technology, create over 270 parking spaces for semi-trailers, and establish facilities for automated check-in and check-out processes. During the construction phase, the ongoing operation of the existing reach stacker terminal will be largely ensured. Following the opening of the CargoBeamer terminal in 2026, the realization of the full expansion phase is expected to take place shortly thereafter, increasing the total area of the terminal to approximately 159,000 square meters.

Photo: © CargoBeamer