Freight News, Logistics, Rail


Aiud is where it’s at for automotive logistics

[ August 18, 2026   //   ]

DP World has completed the first delivery of finished vehicles from Zeebrugge in Belgium to Aiud, Romania.

The initial shipment, destined for Chisinau, Moldova, is the first vehicle rail operation in Europe managed end-to-end by DP World. The company plans to use Aiud as a regional road distribution hub for finished vehicles serving Romania and neighbouring markets. The company plans to introduce a regular service, with twice-monthly operations in the second half of 2026. DP World also plans to connect Aiud to other European ports, including Koper in Slovenia, in the same way.

Intermodal transport delivers 55% reduction in CO₂ emissions compared to equivalent long-haul road transport and reduces exposure to cost volatility linked to evolving European road transport regulations and rising road usage charges across transit countries, while improving predictability by minimising cross-border administrative complexity.

DP World Romania chief executive Svitlana Balaban said: “Our strategy is to build a more connected European logistics network, creating new trade corridors and giving customers greater choice in how they move goods across the continent. Aiud is an important part of that vision, creating new links between western European ports and markets across southeastern Europe.”

The Aiud multimodal logistics terminal, opened in 2024 following DP World’s €21 million investment, is a 180,000 m2 facility next to the A10 motorway and connected to Romania’s national rail network. It provides container handling, storage, customs services and freight forwarding capabilities.

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