Baltic Container Terminal (BCT) in Gdynia, Poland has joined the EU-backed COMODALCE project, designed to take intermodal rail operations to a new, higher level.

Participation in the COMODALCE initiative is the latest in a series of measures implemented by BCT that have combined to lift intermodal rail traffic to 30% of BCT’s annual container throughput.

“For BCT and other system users COMODALCE represents a major area of opportunity to drive cost and qualitative efficiencies across the board,” said Wojciech Szymulewicz, BCT chief executive.

“It presents a new dimension through which we can further streamline intermodal train reception and despatch,” he added.

COMODALCE is an abbreviation of the project’s principal objective defined as ‘Enhancing COordination in multiMODAL freight transport in Central Europe’. The project originated with the ‘Docks of the Future’ scheme funded under the EU’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme which aims to digitalise rail transport at a transnational level in Central Europe.

BCT is a key participant in the pilot project to create an electronic data interchange platform for rail wagons and the associated handling activity. This involves the integration of BCT’s Terminal Operating System with the INCOS element of the Gdynia Port Community System.

Currently under construction, INCOS will give stakeholders a flexible, low-cost method of connection that enables all parties to supply the platform with data. For stakeholders who are not ready for digital exchange, there will be a web user interface for upload and download of spreadsheets.