The Düsseldorf–Budapest route, covering over 1,200 kilometres, will begin operations on 2 October 2024. It allows shippers to reduce carbon emissions by up to 90 per cent while providing a reliable transport solution. Freight forwarders can deliver their trailers late into the evening, with shipments ready for collection at their destination after just 30 hours.
The service runs six days a week in both directions, with each train capable of carrying 36 trailers, offering a weekly capacity of 432 truck trailers.
The service is an open train system, meaning that freight can be booked on-demand. Small and medium-sized enterprises will benefit from Helrom’s terminal-free loading process, which allows non-craneable and refrigerated truck trailers to be easily transferred to rail without additional investment in new equipment.
“The elimination of special terminals for loading and the ability to quickly and easily place non-craneable truck trailers and refrigerated trailers on the rail enables freight forwarders and shippers to enter the intermodal rail transport market without additional investment,” says Helrom’s CEO, Roman Noack.
The new route will serve a wide catchment area, including Hungary, Slovakia, Romania, the Ruhr region, Benelux, and Great Britain, providing an efficient option for time-critical shipments such as food and automotive products.