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CargoBeamer has increased the frequency of its Calais-Perpignan intermodal service from four to six weekly roundtrips, with the final expansion set for June 2026.
Market and operational impact
The service now offers daily departures from Monday to Saturday in both directions, connecting the CargoBeamer Terminal in Calais with the Perpignan Saint Charles Conteneur Terminal. The 28 hour transit time serves craneable and non craneable semi-trailers, refrigerated trailers, ADR and tank units, and containers. Each unit transported reduces CO2 emissions by around 93 percent, equivalent to over 1,100 kg of CO2 compared to diesel road transport.
The expansion responds to growing demand for intermodal solutions in France, linking UK flows via Calais with northern Spain through Perpignan. From Calais, road freight companies can extend journeys to the UK via the Eurotunnel or maritime connections or by road to northern France and Belgium. Perpignan’s proximity to the Spanish border enables CargoBeamer to serve customers with flows to and from the Greater Barcelona region.
Stakeholder reactions and next steps
Boris Timm, COO of CargoBeamer, stated that the sustainable growth on the Calais-Perpignan route has established the company as a leading intermodal operator for semi-trailers and containers in France. He added that the corridor’s reach from the Spanish border to the Channel and beyond strengthens its role in the network, with plans to further expand the network in France.
The service has been operated in partnership with Lineas as the rail traction partner since December 2025.
Wider context and industry outlook
The frequency increase aligns with CargoBeamer’s commitment to decarbonizing European freight by shifting transport from road to rail. The company’s patented system, including wagons, transshipment terminals, and logistics software, enables efficient rail transport of non-craneable semi-trailers, reducing both CO2 emissions and external costs. CargoBeamer currently operates trains across Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Romania, with a focus on expanding its terminal network to facilitate climate-friendly rail transport for hundreds of thousands of semi-trailers annually.
