This month started with some positive developments for rail freight in northern France, specifically for the Lille–Dourges Container Terminal (LDCT). As of yesterday, there are new connections active, one to the south of the country launched by Froidcombi and one to Germany operated by Contargo.
Froidcombi’s service will connect the LDCT to Arles, a smaller river port between Montpellier and Marseille, and will run five times a week. The company, which specialises in high-speed rail freight services for refrigerated goods and parcels, already runs a service between the terminal and Avignon, just north of Arles.
The one from Contargo will link the LDCT to the Duisburg Intermodal Terminal in Germany with three weekly journeys. Further connections are available from both facilities. From Lille, goods can be redistributed to France’s major cities and, from 2026, even to London, the company said. From Duisburg, Contargo can reach Poland, Czechia and even China.
Contargo’s future service to Poland
Other than the Duisburg–Dourges Shuttle, Contargo will soon establish the Poland–France Shuttle between the LDCT and the Polish terminals of Krzewie and Kutno, near Łódź. This upcoming initiative will run twice a week. All these new services are expected to alleviate roads in the area and boost the modal shift to and from one of the France’s busiest terminals.