Laude Expands Corridor Network with New Germany–Poland Intermodal Service

Polish operator Laude Smart Intermodal is launching a new Duisburg–Poland rail service while building a much larger Eurasian logistics network.

Laude Smart Intermodal will introduce regular intermodal connections between Duisburg and southern and central Poland in April 2026, according to Transport Journal. The new service strengthens one of Europe’s most critical freight corridors, linking Germany’s largest inland port with key industrial regions in Poland.

Beyond the initial launch, the company is already planning further expansion, including a new intermodal connection linking Warsaw and Silesia with northern Italy. Laude is also considering extending its transport routes even further east and south, with Ukraine and Turkey being potential next steps.

Last-Mile Strategy: Flexibility Beyond Rail Infrastructure

A key element of Laude’s model is its focus on integrated rail-road logistics, particularly for last-mile delivery. Where rail infrastructure cannot reach the final destination, the company deploys a fleet of around 100 Iveco tractor units to complete the journey. These vehicles enable the transport of containers with a payload of up to 30 tonnes (approx. 25% more than conventional road transport), according to Transport Journal. This approach allows Laude to maintain efficiency while offering door-to-door solutions.

The system is further supported by specialised containers and trailers, including bulk trailers and trough containers designed for steel coil transport. According to the company, these solutions allow loading and unloading from multiple directions (side, top, and rear) significantly increasing operational flexibility. Palletised goods and big bags can also be transported on return routes, improving utilisation rates.

From Poland to Ukraine: Building a Strategic Logistics Gateway

The Duisburg connection is part of a broader strategy that has been unfolding over the past year. In December 2025, Laude Smart Intermodal partnered with Loconi Intermodal and PKP LHS to launch a regular service between the Baltic Hub in Gdańsk and Ukraine, as stated in a joint company release.

The route uses Laude’s terminal in Zamość, located on Poland’s broad-gauge LHS line, creating a direct logistics bridge between Polish ports and Ukrainian markets. The service can transport up to 88 TEUs with a transit time of around five days, offering a competitive alternative to other corridors.

"This is a very important step both in terms of developing our transport services to and from Polish Baltic ports, and in further strengthening the trade ties between Ukraine and the rest of the world," said Marcin Witczak, CEO of Laude Smart Intermodal.

According to the partners, the project proves Poland’s growing role as a logistics gateway for Ukraine, with Polish ports handling approximately 3.9 million TEUs annually, around 8% of which are destined for Ukraine.

Turkey Connection Signals Expansion Towards Eurasian Corridors

Laude’s ambitions extend even further. In November 2025, the company launched a new intermodal connection between Turkey and the EU via Ukraine, according to TransportCorridors. The route connects the port of Aliaga (Izmir region) with Poland, with trains departing from the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk. The service offers a transit time of around 10 days, positioning itself as a competitive alternative to traditional overland routes through Bulgaria or Romania.

CEO Marcin Witczak noted that trains on this corridor can carry up to twice the cargo weight compared to those assembled in Turkey or Romania, proving the efficiency of the model. This route is only the first step in a wider plan to extend intermodal connections further into the Caucasus, including Georgia and Azerbaijan, opening new logistics opportunities across Eurasia.

A Network Strategy Centred on Poland

The Duisburg–Poland service is not an isolated project, but part of a wider network strategy. Laude is systematically building multi-directional corridors connecting Western Europe, Central Europe, Ukraine, and beyond.

With Duisburg as a western anchor, Polish ports as maritime gateways, and Ukraine as a bridge to eastern markets, Poland is becoming a central hub in Laude’s intermodal network. The addition of north–south routes towards Italy and long-haul links towards Turkey and the Caucasus only strenghtens this positioning.