Polish logistics firm, PCC Rail SA, has started a rail freight service into the DCT Gdansk terminal, becoming the first operator to offer such a service at the new facility.

The first freight train to enter the multi-modal rail terminal was hauled by a PCC Rail locomotive carrying over 50 Hapag-Lloyd containers that were loaded onto a Team Lines feeder vessel, which started operations this month. This development marks the beginning of operations at the new purpose-built deepwater container terminal in Poland.

Trains operated by other companies will also have access to the new facility with PCC Rail acting as a neutral rail terminal operator on behalf of DCT Gdansk.

To maximise the benefit of this on-dock rail facility and speed cargo movements over longer distances, the DCT Gdansk terminal plans to provide three roundtrips each week between Gdansk and Euroterminal in Slawkow, southern Poland. Additional services will be added in line with customer demand, a statement from DCT Gdansk said.

The DCT Gdansk rail terminal can accommodate and handle two 600-metre unit trains at a time, although initially the second track will be used to release the locomotive. However, the design of the terminal is such that up to four tracks can be commissioned.