Author: Nicole de Jong

POHM: How have the long-standing relationships with HHLA (30 years) and the partnership between Hamburg and Prague (35 years) influenced the development of METRANS?

Peter Kiss: For more than three decades, our partnership with HHLA and the long-standing connection between Hamburg and Prague have shaped who we are today. These relationships are the foundation on which METRANS was built. Our close cooperation with the HHLA Group has provided us with the strategic stability necessary to realise our vision. This has allowed us to grow from a local rail operator into one of Europe’s leading intermodal logistics service providers. The Port of Hamburg has long been the primary gateway to world trade for the economies of Central and Eastern Europe. This is why our first METRANS trains were carrying containers destined for Hamburg.

The collaboration between Hamburg and Prague is more than just symbolic. It is founded on a shared commitment to connecting Europe through efficient, sustainable and reliable rail logistics. Thanks to these partnerships, we have been able to invest continuously in terminals, locomotives, wagons and employees, enabling us to offer our customers the highest quality and flexibility.

„When considering new
markets,we focus on regions
with strong potential for
shifting freight from road
to rail."

Have these partnerships changed over the years? What role do they play in METRANS' success today?

Regarding HHLA, our partnership has evolved naturally from close cooperation to full integration, while the METRANS spirit has remained the same. What began as a strategic alliance has become a true joint success story. With HHLA’s support, METRANS has been able to expand its network, to modernise its fleet, to invest and to innovate, all the while maintaining our entrepreneurial agility and strong customer focus. These partnerships are now a cornerstone of our success. They allow us to combine the strength of an international logistics group with the responsiveness of a specialised intermodal operator. Together, we ensure that European industry remains efficiently connected to global markets.

METRANS operates terminals in Central and Eastern Europe. How well does this network cover the European hinterland?

With 20 strategically positioned terminals across Central and Eastern Europe, METRANS provides extensive hinterland coverage. Our network stretches from the North Sea ports to the Adriatic and the Black Sea, linking major economic centres with Europe’s main seaports. This setup enables us to offer our customers direct, high-frequency rail services and seamless intermodal solutions. Our hub-andspoke system ensures efficient connections between inland production sites and ports. With this set-up, METRANS has built one of the most comprehensive and reliable rail logistics networks in Europe.

Do you still see gaps or potential for further growth?

We continue to see great potential in shifting more freight from road to rail. This vision has guided us from the very beginning and remains one of the strongest drivers of our future growth. Rail transport is not only more environmentally friendly but also offers solutions to today’s challenges, such as congested highways and the shortage of truck drivers. Many indicators show that combined transport is the way forward. In addition, digitalisation, automation, and sustainable technologies represent important avenues for growth. We are investing in smarter terminal systems, advanced wagon concepts, and innovative scheduling solutions to make intermodal transport even more environmentally friendly.

Did you establish new connections recently?

Yes, for instance we have established a new connection to Constanța this year. Our route now runs from Budapest via Arad in Romania to the Yusen terminal in Bucharest. Thanks to our agreement with Yusen, which operates a direct link from Bucharest to the Port of Constanța, we can now offer our customers seamless transport all the way to Constanța. New connections always open up new opportunities for our customers. We offer a reliable and sustainable route to the Black Sea region, further strengthening economic exchange between Central Europe and Southeast Europe.

What role does the Inđija terminal, your youngest, play in the METRANS network?

The Inđija terminal in Serbia is a vital transport hub on the corridor linking Budapest, Belgrade and the Adriatic ports. It strengthens METRANS' presence in the Western Balkans, playing a vital role in integrating this dynamic region into the European logistics network. As part of the METRANS network, the Inđija terminal provides efficient rail connections for customers across Southeast Europe, promoting regional development. As part of the Silk Road connecting Asia and Europe, our Serbian terminal will accelerate the flow of goods and intensify global connectivity.

You are currently building two new terminals. Could you please describe us where these are being built and what strategic goals METRANS is pursuing?

We are building two new terminals in Hungary, in locations that are important for our future business. These investments form part of a clear strategy to strengthen our network, increase capacity and improve connectivity between ports and the European hinterland. Each terminal is being constructed to meet latest technical and environmental standards and will feature electric cranes, optimised track layouts and digital control systems. We are building infrastructure for the long term.

Are there any other locations in the pipeline, and what criteria do you use to evaluate new markets?

When considering new markets, we focus on regions with strong potential for shifting freight from road to rail, in areas where METRANS can clearly add value. Each location is carefully evaluated based on several key factors: strategic position within major transport corridors, customer demand and industrial activity in the region, quality of rail infrastructure and intermodal connectivity and environmental impact and potential for sustainable transport. Our goal is smart growth, not just expansion. We ensure that every new terminal strengthens our network and meets the long-term needs of our customers.

Rail freight transport is considered the backbone of sustainable logistics. Do you have plans for alternative drive systems, hybrid locomotives, or innovative wagon concepts, in order to become even more eco-friendly?

Sustainability is at the heart of METRANS’ strategy. As part of the HHLA Group, we are committed to becoming climate neutral by 2040. Above all, we want to offer solutions that make transport more environmentally friendly overall. Our solution is the “HHLA Pure” product, which uses trains that already operate with certified CO₂-neutral electricity and energy-efficient electric cranes at our terminals. We have also recently added six e-trucks to our fleet to make first- and last-mile transport as sustainable as possible. In addition to these e-trucks in the Czech Republic, we are testing the first hydrogen-powered truck in Slovakia.

We are continuously investing in more sustainable trucks and innovative locomotive technologies, including hybrid and dual-mode systems, with the aim of further reducing emissions on non-electrified routes. METRANS is developing lightweight wagons that increase payload efficiency while lowering energy consumption. These initiatives ensure that we remain at the forefront of sustainability.

Next year, METRANS will celebrate its 35th anniversary. What are you particularly proud of when you look back, and what are the learnings?

2026 will be a significant year for METRANS. To mark our 35th anniversary, we would like to reflect on our journey and our achievements, from our beginnings in Prague to establishing a network of 20 terminals and operating over 650 trains per week. We are particularly proud of our employees — the engineers, dispatchers, terminal staff and partners — who have played a key role in shaping METRANS into the company it is today. This anniversary is not only a celebration of our history, but also of our ongoing commitment to innovation, sustainability and excellence in intermodal logistics.

This anniversary provides us with the momentum to continue working towards our vision of developing the most sustainable and efficient intermodal network in Europe. To this end, we will expand our reach, integrate new corridors and drive the digital and green transformation of rail logistics forward