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Modalis starts work on Dunkerque road-rail terminal

[ December 11, 2025   //   ]

Modalis Group and the port of Dunkerque-Port have laid the foundation stone for a rail-road transhipment terminal with a capacity of up to 50,000 transport units per year, reducing carbon emissions by 70,000 tonnes of CO₂.

The terminal will be operational from spring 2026 and enable rail transport of road semi-trailers and swap bodies over long distances. The first regular service will link Dunkirk to Piacenza (Italy), via Lyon, operated by Modalis Group’s Delta Rail subsidiary and with connections on DFDS ferry services to Dover and Rosslare.

The €25 million project, co-funded by the two partners, occupies 9.6 hectares along the Loon-Plage rail line, and is close to the port’s Great Britain and Ireland ro ro terminals.

With transport accounting for nearly 30% of French national emissions, developing rail freight has become a priority, supported by the France Logistique 2030 plan and the European Green Deal, which aims to double rail freight by 2050.

Open to all rail operators, the terminal can receive up to four 750 m long freight trains capable of transporting the equivalent of 130 to 150 semi-trailers. It A storage area that has space for more than 600 swap bodies or trailers.

Handling equipment includes vehicles powered by HVO green diesel with electric shunting locomotives.

The site also includes a shared maintenance area open to all operators for rail wagons, swap bodies and semi-trailers.

In the short term, the site will generate around 15 direct jobs and contribute to the training of technicians in combined transport and railway maintenance.

Modalis Group historically specialising in the leasing and management of container wagons, swap bodies and chassis but has now developed an integrated model combining engineering, operations, maintenance and infrastructure management. It already operates terminals in Burgundy, Lorraine and Italy.

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