Schenker has announced that it has opened Finland's first multimodal logistics centre for truck, air, ship and rail at the Port of Turku.

The complex serves as distribution centre for the German company's activities in Scandinavia as the rail link makes it possible for goods to be transshipped directly out of the wagons coming from the ferry terminal.

The Schenker logistics centre offers rail connections both on the Russian and on European track gauge system. "Bearing in mind the increasing volume of freight shipments, the direct rail link to Russia adds up to a notable competitive advantage," said Goran Aberg, regional director east at Schenker. "We are confident that in the foreseeable future we will be able to use the Trans-Siberian Railroad for the shipment of consumer goods from the Far East - for distribution to other European countries as well."

The complex has been developed on a site measuring 30,000 square metres at the port of Turku. The facility is equipped with 22,000 square metres of hi-tech storage space for 45,000 fast turnaround pallets, which can be temperature-controlled if required. These carry goods that will be stored only briefly before being passed on to the market, a company statement said.

The multimodal logistics centre also offers complementary services, such as repackaging, order picking, upgrading and assembly.