Source: Duisport plans to build a magnetic railway for container transport - IntermodalNews IntermodalNews

Duisport plans to build a magnetic railway for container transport

The inland port and logistics hub in Duisburg plans to build a MagRail container transport system based on magnetic levitation. Duisport has entered into a cooperation agreement with technology provider Nevomo. The new solution will be tested earlier on the experimental track being built in Nowa Sarzyna in the Podkarpacie region.

photo: Nevomo

Magnetic railway technology is not a new invention, because the first such systems were created in the 60s. So far, however, it has been used in few places, mainly in railway lines transporting passengers to large airports. Container transport can be a new area where magnetic levitation will find interesting applications. The use of this technology to transport containers in large logistics hubs can reduce the costs of their operations and increase throughput. This is possible thanks to the use of a linear motor, which allows you to increase the amount of transported loads without the need for long and expensive line modernizations. MagRail is to offer the possibility of integration with existing railway lines, thanks to which it can be used in ports and terminals, because both conventional trains and magnetic railway cars can run on one line.

"Nevomo's MagRail technology is ideally suited to achieve our strategic goals and maximize efficiency in duisport. Increasing the capacity and flexibility of our existing network by maintaining full interoperability with existing operations is critical to our business. We are delighted to be partnering with an innovative company like Nevomo," comments Alexander Garbar, Head of Development and Corporate Strategy at duisport.

Automated MagRail system

MagRail is a fully automated system, characterized by high frequency of vehicles and the possibility of flexible adjustment of timetables. Last year, Nevomo started the construction of a test track for a new system in Nowa Sarzyna in the Podkarpacie region in cooperation with Ciech. This investment is co-financed from the Smart Growth Programme. Tests of the technology are planned for the years 2022-2024 and in 2025. MagRail is to be ready for commercial implementations. Duisport is not the only German logistics hub interested in using magnetic rail to transport containers. Last year, the operator of the container terminals in Hamburg, HHLA, concluded an agreement with the American company HyperloopTT on the design and construction of a magnetic vacuum railway system to be used for freight transport.

Author: Łukasz Kuś