Rail terminal at Schwedenkai
to be enhanced by third track

Cargo traffic transferred to rail transport reduces CO2 emissions.

Caution: bulky
As bulky as the expression „seaport hinterland transport“ sounds, it actually is very fitting because the hinterland connections of a seaport are of tremendous importance. In order to stay operational, seaports need a multimodal logistics infrastructure so that they stay in the position to manage the ever increasing international flow of goods.

The third track
The third track at the Bahnhofskai will now complement the existing two entry tracks. The construction of the new 300 m long track makes the shunting operations more efficient, it reduces the number of train rides from and to the Rbf Meimersdorf and it will get quieter. By enabling a modal shift from road to rail and ship, we do our part in protecting our climate. As part of the third track project two rows of existing trees need to be removed to make space for the new track. These will be replaced by new trees of better quality. 49 deciduous trees will replace the existing partly sick trees currently standing directly at the track, in addition 40 deciduous trees and 20 fruit trees will be planted at the nearby “Hörnbad” swimming pool. On top of that, a meadow orchard will be created in the adjacent Gaarden city district. So one can certainly say, urban vegetation and rail freight traffic contribute to better air quality in Kiel.

Blue port. Blue tracks.
In the sense of the term “Blue Port” the tracks in the port of Kiel should actually be coloured blue. The construction of the third track at Schwedenkai is an important measure from an ecological point of view because longer trains make combined traffic not only more efficient but also more sustainable. Road transport causes relatively high CO₂-emissions per transported cargo ton when compared to the figures for sea and rail transport. Every additional cargo unit transported by rail  has a direct positive effect on the ecological lifecycle assessment. More specifically, 60 grams of the greenhouse gas carbon dioxide (CO₂) can be avoided per tonne-kilometre. At the Schwedenkai Terminal alone, 32,000 units are expected to be transshipped via combined traffic rather than being transported by road in 2020: this means savings of approx. 35,000 tons of CO₂. There will be a noticeable easing not only for Kiel’s citizens but also for the entire traffic network.

The total investment in the track, the switches and the compensatory measures amounts to 1.5 million Euros and was founded by the European Union.