A direct container train from the Port of Rijeka has arrived in Tuzla, marking the opening of Bosnia’s first dry port and a major upgrade to the region’s logistics network.
The first direct container train from the Port of Rijeka has arrived at the newly opened intermodal terminal in Tuzla (Suha luka Tuzla), marking the start of regular intermodal rail–sea services linking north-east Bosnia and Herzegovina with global markets.
The train, carrying 16 containers, is the first to use Tuzla’s new customs container terminal — the region’s first intermodal hub — which allows cargo to move between rail and sea without lengthy procedures or additional handling costs. Weekly services in both directions will now connect Tuzla with Croatia’s Port of Rijeka, enabling exports to reach overseas destinations and imports to arrive directly in Tuzla.
The service is expected to shorten delivery times, cut logistics costs and ease congestion at traditional border crossings. Nenad Lukanović of the Tuzla Canton Ministry of Trade, Tourism and Transport, said rail is becoming a more cost-effective option for companies, particularly for full container loads, while also reducing pressure on Bosnia’s road network.
The terminal, located in one of Bosnia’s key industrial regions, has been eight years in the making. The terminal is expected to be especially valuable for oversized and difficult-to-move cargo that previously faced delays and higher transport risks. At the initial stage, a second-hand Fantuzzi CS42KC reachstacker will be used for handling containers at the site.
Fantuzzi CS42KC reachstacker
Moving forward, the facility is expected to connect to Tuzla International Airport’s cargo centre, supporting plans for an integrated regional logistics chain.
The launch of the Rijeka–Tuzla service places Bosnia and Herzegovina on the map of European intermodal corridors, with the rail journey between the two hubs taking just one day. Depending on cargo demand, weekly volumes could range from 30 to 70 containers, with additional departures possible if needed. The Port of Rijeka, which now operates two container terminals following the recent inauguration of the Rijeka Gateway facility, will serve as Tuzla’s primary maritime connection.
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