Laude launches intermodal connection from Poland to Turkey via Ukraine

Polish carrier Laude Smart Intermodal has launched an intermodal route to Turkey through Ukraine, reports Nakolei.

Laude Smart Intermodal trains travel via the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk to the Turkish Black Sea coast or to the carrier’s rail terminal in Zamość. The first intermodal train, consisting of 50 specialized 20-foot Laude containers, departed from Chornomorsk on November 5. Ukrzaliznytsia has also joined the transport operations.

The new connection is reported to reduce transit time from Turkey’s İzmir region, where the Aliağa port is located, to the Zamość terminal by 10 days.

The launch of the Turkey route is seen as the first step in establishing permanent connections announced by Laude Smart Intermodal to the EU via Ukraine toward the Caucasus, particularly Georgia and Azerbaijan. The service is expected to create new opportunities for cargo transportation to regions of strategic importance for both Ukrainian and Polish businesses.

“We did it. Just a few months after our initial announcements, we launched cargo transport to and from Turkey. We now have a functional and tested alternative to road transport and routes through Bulgaria and Romania,” said Laude Smart Intermodal CEO Marcin Witczak.

He also highlighted the economic advantages of the route: “Our service reduces logistics costs, shortens transit times, and increases the efficiency of international trade for bulk goods transported in our containers from the sender or Chornomorsk port, as well as for general cargo transported in standard, proprietary, or private containers. One train from Chornomorsk can carry twice as much cargo as alternative trains from Turkey or Romania,” Witczak said.

For Laude Smart Intermodal, a leading intermodal operator in Ukraine, the launch of the Chornomorsk rail corridor allows the company to actively offer transport services to exporters and importers from other countries in the region interested in the EU market.

“Let’s not forget that trade relations with both Turkey and Azerbaijan are important for Ukraine. This is expected to increase the significance of the Trans-Caspian international transport route. It is a key logistics corridor that is developing and can enhance the use of rail transport between Central Asia and Europe. That is why Laude Smart Intermodal is working on expanding such services,” the CEO added.

The Turkey connection complements Laude Smart Intermodal’s regular services between Poland and Germany, as well as between Benelux ports and the network of terminals in Ukraine.

Tags: Ukraine, Turkey, Poland