Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG strengthens hinterland network

Metrans, the intermodal subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), is further expanding its position in Central and Eastern Europe with the opening of a new rail hub terminal in Budapest, says HHLA. In the presence of Hungarian politicians, the Chairwoman of HHLA’s Executive Board, Angela Titzrath, and the Metrans Managing Director, Peter Kiss, officially opened the facility on Wednesday, 14 June 2017.
 
Speaking at the event, Chairwoman of the Executive Board, Angela Titzrath, explained: “With this facility in Budapest, HHLA is expanding its hinterland network to include another strategic intersection point. Its location at the heart of Europe makes it the perfect interface between the North European seaports and South-East Europe.” Ms. Titzrath highlighted the importance of intermodal business for HHLA. With revenue of € 390 million, the HHLA transport companies played a significant part in the company’s financial success last year. The Chairwoman of the Executive Board announced that HHLA intends to maintain its strong position in the highly competitive market for container traffic by investing in facilities, locomotives and wagons.”
 
Peter Kiss, Managing Director of Metrans, sees great opportunities for the company as a result of its presence in Hungary: “The opening of this facility will enable us to respond to our customers’ needs even more effectively, flexibly and quickly. The high frequency of the shuttle trains that link the seaports and the hinterland hub will provide an extremely reliable transport chain.”
 
Metrans’ Fourth Rail Hub Terminal
The foundation stone for the facility was laid in October 2015. Budapest is the fourth hub terminal in Metrans’ network, after Prague, Česká Třebová and Dunajska Streda. Overall, the two HHLA subsidiaries Metrans and Polzug consist of 13 terminals in the hinterland, of which five function as large hub terminals. In addition to a rail link, the terminal in Budapest is connected to the road network. There is also the potential to expand the hub for trimodal use, which would make it possible to handle inland vessels travelling on the Danube.
 
At a glance:
Total area: 165,000 m²
Tracks: 6 tracks of 650 m, 2 tracks of 500 m in the empty container depot
Handling capacity: approximately 250 trains/month
Capacity: 250,000 TEU/year
Handling equipment: two portal cranes and two reach stackers, plus two reach stackers in the empty container depot
Special features: expandable for trimodal use (rail, road, Danube)
Services: Container repair, Customs office on location, Reefer connections, Trucking with long-standing sub-contractors
 
Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA) is a leading European port and transport logistics company. Its container hubs are the points of intersection within a network that links ports with economic regions in their hinterland. Its business model is based on innovative technologies and is committed to sustainability.