New Intermodal Partnership Boosts Long-Haul CEE Links

Pan-European logistics specialists P&O Ferrymasters and Transmec Group have joined forces to launch an intermodal Belgium-Romania service with three departures per week each way by dedicated train.
Running direct between terminals in Zeebrugge (Belgium) and Curtici in Romania, the service starts on September 26 and offers a fast, cost-effective, eco-friendly and flexible solution for moves across northern, central and eastern Europe.
The time-saving no-transhipment service features collect and ship capability in the UK, Ireland, northern France, the German Ruhr, Russia, Finland and Hungary as well as Benelux and Romania. In addition, forward shipment by road to or from the Balkans, Turkey, Ukraine, Moldova and Bulgaria can be arranged in Curtici, together with on-site import/export clearance, cross-docking and transhipment into secure warehousing and short-sea connections from Constanta and Varna to Black Sea countries.
Transit times are also optimised by a short pre-advice notice facility. Typical schedules include Benelux-Romania 4 days, Benelux-Istanbul 5/6 days, UK-Romania 5/6 days and UK-Istanbul 7 days.
Year-round availability will be assured by deploying an own-asset P&O Ferrymasters/Transmec fleet of more than 2,000 45’ palletwide high cube containers and 300 13.60m Huckepack trailers under the direct control of a dedicated office network. Cargo capability includes reefer transport of chilled goods and all the main ADR/RID hazardous categories.
The first train leaves Zeebrugge on September 26, arriving in Curtici on September 28. The first Curtici departure is on October 1, arriving Zeebrugge on October 3.
P&O Ferrymasters assets director Wim Blomme comments: “This new service combines the expertise and resources of two market leaders. It offers an alternative to long-haul road transport that is not only commercially viable but also helps customers to meet crucial targets for reducing CO2 emissions.”

Paolo Montecchi, director of Transmec Ro, Transmec Group’s Romanian division, said the new service represented “an exciting and compelling alternative to road transport” with both partners already experiencing strong interest in it.
Mr Montecchi added: “Transmec Group has already established a thriving road transport service to and from Romania. Our new partnership with P&O Ferrymasters takes this to the next level, enabling us to offer our customers even more choice when it comes to meeting their transport requirements.”