Afluent Arad South Terminal, investment plan by 2030.

The long-term vision is the basis of the success of Afluent Arad South Terminal, 2024 representing a growth stage for the intermodal terminal in Arad. The remarkable progress made last year translated into the doubling of turnover, the introduction of new services in the company’s portfolio, along with the increase in capacity and efficiency.

Afluent recorded an increase of approximately 15% in its core activities, consolidating its role as an important player in the logistics and transport industry in Romania.

“Afluent Arad South Terminal has recorded a constant increase in volumes, reflecting the general trends of the logistics market in Eastern Europe, this growth being also the result of the trust and support of our partners and collaborators. In 2024, the terminal mainly handled sea containers, agricultural products and various transports, thus strengthening its position as a regional hub.

The terminal operated an average of 6-8 trains per week, these being both container trains, but also general cargo transports or grain and fertilizer transports.

Due to its proximity to the industrial areas of Arad and Timisoara, the terminal has managed to attract a significant number of customers from industries such as production, renewable energy and agriculture, thus strengthening its importance in the logistics network in the region,” explains Nicoleta Oala, Commercial Manager Afluent Arad South Terminal.

According to her, intermodal transport in Romania is gaining ground, especially in terms of initiatives to reduce emissions and optimize logistics chains that companies include in their development strategies.

“The demand for intermodal transport services comes mainly from logistics, the agricultural sector and the automotive industry. Afluent Arad South Terminal has become a point of interest for companies looking for sustainable and efficient logistics solutions, especially for long-distance transports,” points out Nicoleta Oală.

New intermodal routes in 2025

For the current year, the intermodal terminal in Arad aims to optimize the existing routes by increasing the frequency of trains. This initiative aims to ensure greater capacity for current partners and will attract new customers. “In addition to the connections existing at the moment between Afluent and Constanta, Budapest, Koper, Bremerhaven, Hamburg and Rijeka, among the terminal’s priorities is the development of direct connections with strategic intermodal terminals in countries such as Turkey, Poland, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands.

These routes will significantly reduce transit time for goods, facilitating a faster and more efficient logistics flow between Eastern and Western European markets.

This will increase the attractiveness of intermodal solutions, offering a sustainable and competitive alternative to road transport,” emphasizes Nicoleta Oală.

To support the development of the intermodal network, Afluent Terminal collaborates with international railway operators and leading logistics transport companies. Through these partnerships, the terminal integrates its services into global logistics flows, providing customers with direct access to major European transport corridors. These collaborations ensure a high level of reliability and contribute to the creation of customized solutions for the varied needs of the market.

Investments in digitalization

Afluent Arad South Terminal uses advanced technologies to improve operational efficiency and provide competitive solutions in the intermodal market. In 2024, the company implemented a digital system dedicated to managing logistics flows, allowing efficient coordination of operations, reduction of errors and the possibility of direct EDI connections with partners.

“Within the terminal, Afluent uses modern equipment, such as 45-ton reachstackers, but in the future, with the completion of the expansion projects, RMG portal cranes will be installed, which will optimize the handling of containers and semi-trailers, increasing the speed and efficiency of operations.

It is also planned to implement a state-of-the-art complementary information system more complex than the existing one, for the management of operations. We intend to diversify the range of services offered and we will benefit from a considerably higher storage capacity, in order to better meet market requirements and to support sustainable development in the logistics sector,” says Nicoleta Oală.

EMA Rail – a new rail traction company

At the beginning of 2025, Afluent Arad South Terminal has also developed a railway traction company. “EMA Rail aims to transform freight transport and support the development of new networks. By moving goods from the road to the rail, we are helping to reduce road traffic and build a more sustainable future. It is an important step that we are all very excited about.

Through EMA Rail, we bring added value to the Afluent Arad South Terminal, optimizing traction operations and reducing costs. The solid partnership between METRANS and AFLUENT is the foundation of the success of this new initiative, and our collaboration supports the growth and success of all partners involved in this project,” concludes the Commercial Manager of Afluent Arad South Terminal.

Investments in the expansion of the terminal

By 2030, Afluent Arad South Terminal has a large investment project planned. The expansion would be implemented in stages, so as to support the increase in volumes, but also to attract new partners from different economic sectors. The terminal expansion project includes the creation of a regional hub with railway lines of at least 750 m, along with a logistics center dedicated to the storage and distribution of goods. With a total area of 82 hectares available for development, this project responds to the growing demand for logistics services.

https://www.intermodal-logistics.ro/afluent-arad-south-terminal-plan-de-investitii-pana-in-2030