Cargo Handling Begins on New Intermodal Rail Line Between Novi Sad and Germany’s Rhine–Ruhr Industrial Region

Cargo handling has officially begun on a new intermodal railway line connecting DP World’s terminal in Novi Sad with the city of Herne in western Germany, a strategic logistics hub in the Rhine–Ruhr industrial region, the company announced.

With this, the Novi Sad terminal becomes the first in Serbia with a regular intermodal rail connection to Western Europe.

The line, operated by Austrian transport company LKW Walter, has three weekly departures; the journey takes about 45 hours, faster than traditional long-distance road routes, while at the same time reducing carbon dioxide emissions by up to 80%, the statement said.

DP World Novi Sad CEO Gokhan Yurteken said that by connecting Novi Sad with the Rhine–Ruhr region through a regular intermodal line, Serbia’s integration into European supply chains is further strengthened and its role as a strategic trade hub in Southeast Europe is confirmed.

This service enables our clients to have a faster and more predictable route from Serbia to Western Europe, reducing dependence on cross-border road transport, with greater schedule reliability and significantly lower emissions - he said.

The Novi Sad–Herne railway line, it was noted, was launched in response to increasing regulatory and operational pressures in long-distance road transport between Serbia and Western Europe.

As regulatory requirements for road transport across the European Union continue to change, clients are increasingly seeking solutions that offer greater speed, predictability and less administrative complexity. Intermodal rail transport provides exactly that, with the additional advantage of measurable CO2 emission reductions - said Vladica Culafic, Commercial Director of DP World Novi Sad.

As highlighted, intermodal transport combines rail and road transport in order to achieve greater efficiency and sustainability. Containers are transported by rail over longer distances, while the first and last segments of the journey are carried out by trucks. It was noted that this model significantly reduces emissions, fuel consumption and dependence on drivers compared to transport that relies entirely on road traffic.

DP World ad Novi Sad

DP World

LKW Walter

Gokhan Yurteken

Vladica Culafic

intermodal railway line Novi Sad Herne