Located near the Hungarian-Ukrainian border in Fényeslitke, the East-West Gate (EWG) intermodal terminal represents a pioneering development in European logistics. As the continent’s largest and most advanced land-based intermodal facility, the EWG is poised to redefine freight transport between Asia and Europe. With its strategic location, cutting-edge technology, and impressive capacity, the terminal serves as a vital link in both pan-European transport corridors and the New Silk Road, thereby enhancing connectivity and facilitating the efficient cross-border movement of goods.
Intermodality—the seamless integration of transport modes such as rail and road—is central to EWG’s design. The terminal is equipped to handle transhipment between the broad-gauge (1520 mm) railway systems used in former Soviet states and the standard-gauge (1435 mm) tracks prevalent in Europe. This capability addresses a longstanding bottleneck in east-west freight transport, where differing rail gauges have historically slowed cross-border logistics.
The EWG is Europe’s largest land-based intermodal terminal by area, with an annual transhipment capacity of 1 million TEU. Its storage capacity can accommodate up to 10,000 TEU at any given time, providing flexibility for handling large cargo volumes. Beyond containers, the EWG is equipped to process bulk goods, with an annual transhipment capacity of 1 million tonnes of grain and 2 million tonnes of edible oil—critical commodities in light of global supply chain demands, particularly following disruptions such as the war in Ukraine. The terminal’s infrastructure includes an industrial park expandable to 500 hectares and a 14,000-square-meter customs warehouse, further solidifying its role as a comprehensive logistics hub.
The terminal’s rail infrastructure is equally impressive, featuring approximately 10 kilometres of both broad- and standard-gauge tracks. This enables the EWG to process up to four trains simultaneously and complete full transhipment procedures—including brake testing—within three hours. Advanced 5G technology facilitates remote-controlled cranes and real-time tracking of containers, vehicles, and personnel, enhancing operational efficiency and safety while reducing the likelihood of human error.
Strategic location and role in Pan-European and Silk Road corridors
The EWG’s location in eastern Hungary is strategically significant, positioned at the intersection of major transport networks. It lies along the 5th Pan-European Corridor, which stretches from Venice, Trieste, and Koper through Ljubljana, Maribor, Budapest, Uzhhorod, Lviv, and Kyiv. This corridor forms part of the broader Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T), facilitating connectivity between Western and Eastern Europe, extending to Ukraine and beyond. The TEN-T framework, supported by regulations such as the European Parliament and Council Regulations 680/2007/EC and 67/2010/EC, underscores the importance of such infrastructure in promoting economic integration and competitiveness within the European Union.
In addition to its role in the TEN-T system, the EWG serves as a vital node in the New Silk Road, part of China’s ambitious Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), which aims to revive ancient trade routes between Asia and Europe. The terminal aligns with the initiative’s northern and middle corridors. The northern corridor typically passes through Russia and Belarus, connecting China to Europe via rail routes that converge at hubs like Brest and Małaszewicze on the Polish-Belarusian border. However, capacity constraints and geopolitical tensions have highlighted the need for alternative routes. The EWG emerges as a viable option, offering a southern bypass through Ukraine and Hungary.
The Middle Corridor, traversing Central Asia, the Caspian Sea, and the Caucasus before reaching Europe, also benefits from the EWG’s proximity to the EU’s eastern borders. By providing a high-capacity transhipment point, the EWG enhances the corridor’s viability as a faster, geopolitically stable alternative to northern routes. Its ability to handle growing cargo volumes from China, Japan, and South Korea, where demand for rail transport is rising, positions EWG as a cornerstone of the evolving Silk Road network.
Integration with TEN-T and Pan-European corridors
Established in the 1990s at the Crete (1994) and Helsinki (1997) conferences, the Pan-European Transport Corridors aimed to integrate Central and Eastern Europe into the EU’s transport framework. The 5th Pan-European Corridor, in particular, aligns with the EWG’s mission by connecting Adriatic ports in Italy, Croatia, and Slovenia to Ukraine via Hungary’s capital, Budapest. Today, these corridors form part of the TEN-T network, which seeks to eliminate bottlenecks, enhance interoperability, and promote sustainable transport across the EU.
The EWG’s development complements TEN-T objectives by addressing a critical gap in east-west connectivity. Historically, much of the rail freight from Asia to Europe has passed through overburdened terminals, such as Małaszewicze, where delays can last for days. The EWG alleviates this pressure, offering a modern alternative that supports the EU’s goals of improving infrastructure in newer member states and enhancing cross-border trade.
Driving change in capacity and sustainability
The terminal’s focus on sustainability, powered by green energy and optimised with 5G technology, aligns with the EU’s push to shift freight transport from road to rail, thereby reducing carbon emissions in line with stringent environmental regulations.
Beyond containers, the EWG’s ability to transship 1 million tonnes of grain and 2 million tonnes of edible oil annually has taken on new urgency amid global concerns about food security. With disruptions to Ukraine’s Black Sea ports, the EWG provides a lifeline for exporting Ukrainian agricultural products by rail to European ports, such as those in the North Adriatic, ensuring supply chain continuity.
The East-West Gate intermodal terminal underscores Hungary’s ambition to reclaim its place on the global logistics map. By leveraging its strategic position at the crossroads of the 5th Pan-European Corridor and the New Silk Road, the EWG bridges Europe and Asia with unparalleled efficiency. Its vast capacity, advanced technology, and multimodal capabilities make it a cornerstone of modern freight transport, supporting both the regional integration of TEN-T and the broader ambitions of the Belt and Road Initiative. As global trade evolves, the EWG will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of intercontinental connectivity.
