RINNEN expands tank container chemical transport in Poland
The transport of liquid chemicals in tank containers is a promising segment of intermodal transport that has been gaining popularity for several years. RINNEN, one of the European pioneers in this type of logistics, is expanding its operations in Poland by offering specialized services at its own depot dedicated to tank container handling.
The global fleet of tank containers has been steadily growing since 2018, and by the end of last year nearly 900,000 such units were in circulation, according to an ITCO report. Intermodal transport using this type of equipment is an attractive option for the chemical industry, as it combines the advantages of sustainable rail transport for long-distance movements with the flexibility of road transport, which serves the so-called first and last mile. As a result, these transport services are accessible to a wider range of customers compared to the transport of chemicals in traditional rail tank wagons.
Despite these opportunities and the steady development of the intermodal transport market in Poland over the past decade, tank containers still represent a small share of the intermodal equipment fleet in operation. One of the key challenges faced by companies interested in this type of transport is the insufficiently developed supporting infrastructure, particularly the lack of depots specialized in tank container handling.
New depot in Silesia
In response to the growth of this intermodal transport segment, RINNEN—one of the largest providers of such services in Europe and beyond—launched in 2023 a depot in Bierawa, Opole Voivodeship, dedicated to handling tank units. The new facility provides comprehensive services, including storage, repairs, heating, and tank cleaning.
The RINNEN depot is designed to handle all types of transport tanks and vehicles and is adapted for the storage and transshipment of hazardous materials. The facility offers 13,000 square meters of storage space and can store up to 5,936 tonnes of products across various ADR classes.
The opening of RINNEN’s own depot in Poland has enabled the company to reduce empty runs of tank containers in intermodal transport, shorten equipment turnaround times, and ensure greater stability of transport services. The company can also offer a broader range of services to Polish customers.
RINNEN specializes in tank container transport using both rail, and road and sea modes. It operates a fleet of over 780 trucks, 4,400 tank containers, and 1,400 trailers. Each year, the operator carries out more than 150,000 intermodal and road transports across Europe. RINNEN’s extensive network of branches enables efficient planning and coordination of these operations, ensuring high flexibility as well as time and cost optimization.