Global Ocean Link (GOL), LION Group and N’Unit are partnering up to introduce a new intermodal rail service between Ukraine and Germany. Their vision is for the new route to be competitive against established European logistics companies, focusing on containers and semi-trailers.
The three companies are launching an intermodal rail service between Mostyska, Ukraine and Forst, Germany. They offer end-to-end last mile services on both ends.
“We’re pleased to collaborate with such strong industry players. N’Unit operates the terminal in Mostyska, Ukraine; LION Group manages terminal operations in Germany; and GOL acts as the freight operator responsible for filling capacity on the intermodal trains”, explains Volodymyr Huz, Commercial Director at GOL. “I am confident that this partnership will yield excellent results.”
The plan is to launch the project on 1 July, ahead of the peak logistics season in autumn. That will allow the partners to start up operational activities and secure long-term clients. The goal is to initially establish a bi-weekly service, but that can grow to daily departures in the future.
Competition with major European players
In order to ensure a steady flow of shipments with minimal downtime, the Mostyska-Forst service will rely on a “continuous logistics cycle” that involves three trailer pools, totalling a hundred semi-trailers. If one trailer pool is in transit, another will be in loading, and the last in unloading. “By the end of June, the aim is to fully allocate rolling stock for both directions, enabling commercial operations to begin in early July”, the companies explain.
During the initial trial phase, the project will use one set of rail platforms for trailers and containers (five and ten units respectively), about 60 swap bodies, and 24 semi-trailers. The trial phase serves as a promotional period of approximately three months. In that time, trains will operate without targeting markup profits, focusing primarily on testing the route and freight consolidation.
Intermodal growth between Ukraine and EU
In May, shipping giant MSC acquired shares in four intermodal terminals in Ukraine, including N’Unit’s Mostyska terminal. The move could be seen as a sign of faith that intermodal rail traffic to and from the EU will grow in the near future.
With the Mostyska-Forst service, the three partners seek to provide a “consistent, scheduled service” that could serve as “a competitive alternative to major European players like LKW Walter.” They highlight the service’s short transit time: it takes around 20 hours to cover the entire one-way distance, including customs procedures.
“The customer gains service continuity. They no longer have to manage each truck individually – this can be done through a single operator handling all related matters. This eliminates potential risks of border blockades, vehicle breakdowns, or customs documentation issues. And let’s not forget the favorable cost structure. Even though overall delivery time may be three to four days longer, the combination of price stability and reliability makes it a very attractive option”, highlights Commercial Director Huz.
Border blockades
This new Mostyska-Forst service is not the first time that a similar rail route was in place. During the road border blockades by Polish farmers in 2023 and 2024, trains took goods across the border, bypassing the obstacles on the road. It was a rather niche solution, primarily used by the automotive industry. GOL, N’Unit and LION Group are now re-introducing a similar service to meet the needs of a broader market.
“An analogy can be drawn here: containers with imports destined for Kyiv can be routed through Romania, Odesa, Chornomorsk, or Poland. Similarly, freight from southern, central, and western Germany can be transported either by truck or via a rolling highway (RoLa) service”, comments Huz. “Each option has its own advantages and disadvantages, which can be objectively evaluated to determine what best fits your specific logistics scenario.”
“Clearly, the most cost-effective solution is a hybrid model—leveraging the stability of regular freight volumes via intermodal rail while covering the rest with road transport. This approach mitigates dependency on road freight market fluctuations and allows for consistent cost planning”, HUZ concludes.
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