CargoBeamer Doubles Service Frequency on Calais-Perpignan Route

CargoBeamer, a leading logistics provider specializing in the rail transportation of non-craneable semi-trailers, is expanding its operations in France. Starting October 7, the frequency of the Calais-Perpignan route will increase from two to four round trips per week. This 1,400 km route, which runs the length of the country from north to south, continues to accommodate both craneable and non-craneable semi-trailers, as well as containers, swap bodies, and specialized trailers such as silo and refrigerated units.

Under the new schedule, trains will depart Calais for southern France every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday. The transit time between the last drop-off and the first pick-up at the respective terminals is approximately 26 hours. Return trips from Perpignan are available on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. DB Cargo France continues to serve as the rail traction partner for this route.

Up to 47 tons of CO2 saved per departure

Since launching in the summer of 2021, CargoBeamer’s Calais-Perpignan line has provided a critical link between northern and southern Europe. The Calais terminal, Europe’s first CargoBeamer facility, offers onward rail and sea connections to the UK, northern France, and the Benelux region, while Perpignan serves as a gateway to southern France and the industrial regions around Barcelona, Spain. Each train has a capacity of up to 42 units, cutting CO₂ emissions by an average of 93% per journey compared to traditional road transport. With an average payload of 18 tons per unit, each departure prevents approximately 47 tons of CO₂ emissions.

Boris Timm, Chief Operating Officer at CargoBeamer, expressed his enthusiasm for the expanded service: "We are thrilled to enhance our offerings in France following a challenging year in 2023. The Calais-Perpignan connection, bridging the English Channel and the Mediterranean region, has proven to be a dependable route. It allows freight forwarders to transport goods nearly 1,400 kilometers by rail while achieving over 90% CO₂ savings. The increased frequency to four round trips per week offers our customers greater flexibility and reinforces our commitment to expanding intermodal solutions for non-craneable semi-trailers in France."

About CargoBeamer

The CargoBeamer Group is a trailblazing logistics provider specializing in the integration of road and rail transport. As a leader in the large-scale decarbonization of European freight, CargoBeamer is committed to delivering innovative, cost-effective solutions that shift freight transport from road to rail, significantly benefiting the environment. The CargoBeamer system, featuring patented wagons, transshipment terminals, and advanced logistics software, is uniquely designed to enable the rail transport of especially non-craneable semi-trailers. This approach not only drastically reduces CO₂ emissions but also lowers other external costs associated with freight transport. Currently, CargoBeamer operates trains across Germany, France, Italy, and the United Kingdom, with a focus on expanding its network of efficient terminals throughout Europe. These terminals are strategically linked by regularly scheduled intermodal trains running at high frequencies, facilitating climate-friendly rail transport for hundreds of thousands of semi-trailers each year.

Press contact

Tim Krause

Communications & Marketing Manager

E: press@cargobeamer.com

T: +49 171 3312918