{"id":278158,"date":"2025-09-04T19:25:00","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T09:25:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=65612"},"modified":"2025-09-04T19:25:00","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T09:25:00","slug":"pcc-intermodal-celebrates-20th-anniversary-intermodal-is-a-very-tough-nut-to-crack","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=278158","title":{"rendered":"PCC Intermodal celebrates 20th anniversary: \u201cIntermodal is a very tough nut to crack\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

PCC Intermodal, the leading intermodal operator in Poland, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary. The company\u2019s success was far from guaranteed when it launched its first train in 2005. Two decades later, however, intermodal is a proven recipe, evidenced by PCC Intermodal\u2019s growth.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Anno 2025, the European rail freight sector is going through a difficult time. Volume declines in traditionally strong segments, such as coal, are hurting operators. In many cases, some of the economic pain is offset by the rise of intermodal transportation. No one doubts its viability.<\/p>\n

That was very different twenty years ago, explains PCC Intermodal. \u201cIn 2005, when we started our first intermodal operations, our main communication task was to explain what intermodal means, how it works, what is the added value, et cetera. We were explaining that in the cities, locally to society and authorities, teachers and students, entrepreneurs, producers and government.\u201d<\/p>\n

PCC Intermodal’s first-ever train<\/h2>\n

During the past two decades, much has changed in that regard. \u201cNow we do not have to explain what we do. Everyone understands the model or idea of intermodal business, many approve and cheer on intermodal operations. There are EU funds that help in the development of terminals and operations\u201d, says PCC Intermodal.<\/p>\n

The operator\u2019s first train was a test, purely to see if intermodal operations are a workable idea in Poland. It ran from Brzeg Dolny to the VGN terminal in \u015awinouj\u015bcie, was pulled by an old Soviet BR232 diesel locomotive and carried containers from P&O Nedlloyd. The first shippers to express interest in the new connection were the chemical plants of PCC Rokita and Cargill, says PCC Intermodal.<\/p>\n

\"PCC
PCC Intermodal’s first-ever train. Image: \u00a9 PCC Intermodal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The test train aimed to answer some key questions about intermodal operations. Is the risk of investing reasonable? Does the model have a stable future? In the absence of adequate terminal infrastructure, the market was very challenging. Much progress has been made in that regard, however. PCC Intermodal now operates five of its own terminals in central and southern Poland and on the German border. It also services many more partner terminals in Ukraine, Poland, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium.<\/p>\n

Present-day challenges<\/h2>\n

PCC Intermodal has overcome many challenges, but other challenges still remain, also in 2025. \u201cThat time – 20 years ago – we understood we need to walk to any corner with an educational programme on why it is worth investing in intermodal, explaining why this can be the future for rail. Now, even when everybody understands, we still are treated like a part of rail with no powerful formal representatives in the Infrastructure Ministry, fighting for smart ways of regulations for intermodal growth.\u201d<\/p>\n

The company hopes that officials will understand intermodal as an alternative for long distance road transportation, and not just as a sub-category of rail. \u201cThe landscape of intermodal has changed dramatically in the last two decades – there are many fully modernised and well-facilitated terminals, more and more players on the market, trying their adventures with intermodal, and a lot of good examples where our terminals are shown as a good example Europe-wide.\u201d Yet, there is still a lot to do in the formal administration and governmental fields, PCC Intermodal says, so that the full potential of intermodal in and through Poland can be used.<\/p>\n

\"PCC
PCC Intermodal’s terminal in Gliwice, Poland. Image: \u00a9 PCC Intermodal<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Determination and faith<\/h2>\n

\u201cIntermodal is a very tough nut to crack\u201d, summarises PCC Intermodal. \u201cI think the success in our case stands behind our determination and faith that we can do it. We have chosen our way of doing intermodal, we travel with containers like passenger trains travel with people. For that idea we have drawn the whole plan and step by step put it into operations, constructing a network that is available for everyone, as well for small clients as for huge flows of containers.\u201d<\/p>\n

With two decades of experience, the company is looking into the future. It wants to build upon the existing foundation of daily operations in Poland, 14 rotations to Rotterdam per week, daily trains to and from Ukraine, among others. Following market demand, the company says that it is ready to develop its network further, adding daily connections to more countries.<\/p>\n

First in line is to complete the development of services between Poland and Italy. PCC Intermodal is also preparing two more investments: one in the terminal in Ropczyce in southeastern Poland, and another in the Intermodal Container Yard in Pomerania along the Baltic-Adriatic Corridor.<\/p>\n

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After a turbulent 2023, intermodal transports in Poland surged back to growth in 2024, with Silk Road activity, Ukrainian links and seaport transshipments pushing volumes to grow.<\/p>\n