DUNKIRK – Logistics operator Modal Group, in partnership with the Port of Dunkirk, has officially opened a new multimodal freight terminal in Dunkirk, just across the Belgian-French border. The facility, which was inaugurated two weeks ago, is designed to strengthen rail freight transport and improve the region’s logistics competitiveness.
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The new terminal, located along the Loon-Plage railway line, features four rail tracks of 750 meters each and offers quayside storage capacity for up to 800 TEU containers. The €25 million investment is aimed at facilitating a greater shift of cargo from road transport to more sustainable rail-based solutions.
Operations will initially include three weekly round-trip rail services to Lyon. Modal Group also plans to expand its network in 2027 with the launch of a weekly rail connection to Italy.
In addition to serving Modal Group’s own operations, the terminal will be open to other rail and logistics operators, providing a shared platform for intermodal transport services. The project is expected to accelerate the transfer of container traffic from ships to rail, reducing dependence on road haulage while improving efficiency across regional supply chains.
According to Modal Group, the terminal has the capacity to handle approximately 50,000 containers per year by rail, equivalent to nearly 1,000 containers per week. The company believes the facility will play an important role in supporting sustainable freight transport and enhancing the economic attractiveness of the Dunkirk logistics hub.
The opening of the terminal reflects the growing emphasis on multimodal transport solutions in Northern Europe, where ports and logistics providers are increasingly investing in rail infrastructure to meet environmental targets and accommodate rising cargo volumes.