Construction is now underway on a second module at the DUSS Ulm intermodal terminal. The new terminal section is scheduled to open in 2027 and will double the facility’s annual handling capacity, increasing from approximately 120,000 to 300,000 loading units.
The expansion positions Ulm as a major node for combined transport in southern Germany, linking north-south rail corridors and offering improved integration with both road and rail infrastructure. The terminal already serves routes to northern German seaports, the Maschen hub, and Italy, and is located near the A8 motorway.
The new module will feature three fully automated cranes supplied by Austrian manufacturer Kuenz. These cranes will utilise a “soft landing” system to minimise noise during lifting and lowering operations, and will be remotely operated via video-supported control stations.
The site layout is also being significantly expanded. Plans include four additional rail tracks, five truck parking lanes, and designated drive-in, loading, and return lanes. A slot booking system will allocate trucks to specific bays in advance, while 68 new pre-queuing spaces will help prevent traffic build-up on surrounding public roads.
Better access to the rail and road grid
One of the most important upgrades will be the creation of new entry and exit tracks connecting the second module directly to the Stuttgart–Ulm line. This eliminates the current need for freight trains to shunt at Beimerstetten and is expected to streamline operations and reduce congestion on the network.
Road access will also improve, with a new motorway junction under construction on the A8 motorway. Trucks will be able to access the terminal directly via the Ulm-West/Ulm-North interchange, easing pressure on nearby communities including Dornstadt, Beimerstetten, and Jungingen.