Dear Customers,
With regard to our Newsletter No. 02/2025, where we outlined the restrictions for the coming period, we would like to provide you with specific information.
After intensive negotiations with the relevant authorities, which unfortunately did not result in a change of decision, we have an overview of the planned closures. As the closure and restrictions will be at major junctions, the planning and operation of our trains will be significantly affected.
Between 29/06/2025 – 04/07/2025 from 8:50 a.m. to 6:50 p.m., daytime traffic on the Bad Schandau – Pirna section of the Elbtal area will be completely stopped. At night, no additional capacity will be available beyond the regular trains introduced in the timetable at this time. For our services, we will also be using the alternative diversionary route Cheb – Schirnding, where we will be limited both by line capacity and by train weight and length parameters, which will result in lower transported volumes and delays.
Our customer services have information on whether a particular train is running at night time without complications, or if it is running on a diverted route during the day.
The Elbtal closure will be followed by a complete track closure on the approach to Hamburg Waltershof station. Due to construction work, the movement of trains to this station will be completely disabled between 04/07 and 08/07/2025. As a result of this restriction, we will not be able to serve the Hamburg CTA, CTB and Eurogate terminals. All trains to/from Waltershof Station will be cancelled during the closure. During the lockout, volumes will accumulate at the mentioned terminals. After the resumption of operations, we will probably face complications in the form of extended handling times.
At the Port of Hamburg, trains will be operated to CTT terminal.
We have not yet faced a restriction of this magnitude. We are facing a very complicated period which will have a major impact on services to/from the North German ports of Rotterdam, Antwerp and Duisburg.
Please expect reduced capacity on our trains and delays that could occur as a result of the closures.
We will do our best to reduce the negative impact of these operational constraints as much as possible, but we are also aware of the seriousness of the situation.
Our Customer Service Department will be available to provide you with specific information about your shipments.
Thank you for understanding.
METRANS Team
