Metrans & Interport Servis: Košice Terminal to Be Key EU Rail Hub

HHLA’s Metrans and Interport Servis have launched a strategic partnership to transform the Košice intermodal terminal in Slovakia into a pivotal logistics hub for Eastern Europe, slated for completion by 2027. The project, named TIP Košice, will leverage a unique dual-gauge infrastructure to create a seamless freight corridor between the broad-gauge rail networks of the east, including Ukraine, and the European standard-gauge system.

In a major move to bolster European logistics infrastructure, Metrans, the rail logistics arm of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), has joined forces with Slovakian firm Interport Servis. The collaboration will drive the comprehensive modernization and expansion of the existing Metrans terminal in Košice. The revitalized site will be transformed into a multifunctional logistics center, with the state-of-the-art intermodal terminal at its core, designed to integrate digital and automated technologies for maximum efficiency.

The defining technical feature of the TIP Košice terminal is its dual-gauge capability, which directly addresses a long-standing challenge in East-West European freight. The facility will be equipped with two modern gantry cranes specifically designed for efficient transshipment between the 1,520 mm broad gauge used in Ukraine and other CIS countries, and the 1,435 mm standard gauge prevalent across the European Union. This allows for the seamless transfer of goods without costly and time-consuming delays, positioning Košice as a critical gateway for international trade flows. The project also involves a significant expansion of the current 50,000 m² site to include new cargo handling and storage areas.

Metrans has operated a terminal in Košice since 2008, and this expansion represents a significant escalation of its strategic commitment to the region. The partnership leverages Metrans’ extensive experience in pan-European rail logistics with Interport Servis’s deep regional knowledge and development expertise. The project is expected to create a new logistics ecosystem that shortens supply chains, provides advanced digital management tools for cargo, and generates significant employment opportunities, thereby contributing to the economic consolidation of the region on the EU’s eastern frontier.

Key Takeaways

• Strategic Gateway: The terminal’s dual-gauge system will establish Košice as a primary hub for freight moving between Ukraine’s broad-gauge network and the EU’s standard-gauge system.
• Technological Advancement: The modernization will incorporate digital tools and automated systems, alongside two new gantry cranes, to enhance cargo handling efficiency and reduce transit times.
• Regional Economic Impact: Scheduled for completion by 2027, the project aims to stimulate economic growth in Eastern Slovakia by creating jobs, improving infrastructure, and connecting local businesses to international supply chains.

Editor’s Analysis

The modernization of the Košice terminal is more than just an infrastructure upgrade; it is a strategically vital development in European logistics, amplified by current geopolitical realities. By creating a high-capacity, technologically advanced transshipment point on the EU-Ukraine border, Metrans and Interport Servis are building a resilient and efficient alternative to congested land and sea routes. This project directly addresses the logistical bottleneck of gauge differences, enhancing the viability of the Middle Corridor and solidifying a crucial trade artery for the reconstruction and future economic integration of Ukraine with the EU. For the global rail market, TIP Košice serves as a blueprint for how targeted investment in intermodal infrastructure at key border locations can unlock new trade potential and fundamentally redraw the map of European supply chains.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TIP Košice project?
TIP Košice (Terminál Intermodálnej Prepravy) is a joint venture between Metrans and Interport Servis to modernize and expand the intermodal terminal in Košice, Slovakia. The goal is to create a major logistics hub in Eastern Europe, equipped with advanced technology and dual-gauge rail infrastructure, with completion targeted for 2027.

What makes the Košice terminal strategically important?
Its strategic importance lies in its location on the eastern border of the EU and its unique dual-gauge infrastructure. This allows for the efficient transfer of freight between the broad-gauge rail network (used in Ukraine and other eastern countries) and the European standard-gauge network, making it a critical gateway for East-West trade.

Who are the main partners in this project?
The main partners are Metrans, the rail logistics subsidiary of Germany’s Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), and Interport Servis, a Slovakian company with regional development expertise. Metrans provides European logistics experience, while Interport Servis contributes local knowledge and capabilities.