Poland Just Dropped EUR 180 Million on Rail Freight—Why Can’t the Rest of Europe Keep Up?

Poland’s moving fast on rail freight—with EUR 180 million going into new intermodal terminals and zero-emission trains. Across the border, the rest of Europe is watching closely. While Poland builds momentum, others are still figuring out how to get on track.

While Poland moves decisively to modernise its rail and intermodal infrastructure, the Czech Republic continues to fall behind in public support and strategic execution. The Polish government has committed EUR 180 million to co-finance 17 intermodal and rolling stock projects, setting a clear example of how national and EU funds can be combined for impactful transport development.

The decision, announced by RailFreight, shows both the scale of Poland’s ambition and the increasing competitiveness of its logistics sector. Of the 60 submitted applications, 17 were selected—twelve focused on terminal construction or upgrades, and five on the rolling stock acquisition and handling equipment. Each project will receive up to 50% co-financing from public sources.

EIB supports sustainable rail transport in #Poland: by 2028 more than 30% of @PKPIntercityPDP fleet will be modernised as first €434 mn loan signed today by VP @TeresaCzerwnska & PKP. It will make train travel more safe, attractive & environment friendly👉//t.co/rIVrXqmsz6 pic.twitter.com/DoK4auX6wi

— European Investment Bank (@EIB) December 10, 2021

Poland Sets the Pace as Europe Struggles to Keep Up

Poland’s targeted investment of EUR 180 million into intermodal freight and rail vehicle projects serves as a wake-up call for many EU member states, not just its southern neighbor. While countries like Czechia face hurdles in launching comparable support schemes, Poland has demonstrated that strategic coordination between national policy and EU funding mechanisms can fast-track rail modernisation.

In contrast, many European states continue to grapple with bureaucratic bottlenecks, fragmented planning, and outdated procurement models. For example, the Czech Republic, despite securing loans from the European Investment Bank (EIB)—including EUR 527 million in 2024 and EUR 466 million in early 2025—has channelled most of this support into rehabilitating existing infrastructure, particularly on key TEN-T corridors. Large-scale support for new intermodal terminals or green rolling stock, such as that seen in Poland, remains largely absent or limited to small pilot initiatives.

Furthermore, Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs)—which Poland has firmly rejected for rail projects—are still being tentatively explored in other EU countries. Czechia, for example, plans to launch its first PPP rail project connecting Prague to Václav Havel Airport in 2024, but the approach remains experimental and untested in the railway sector.

Outside Central Europe, the situation is not much brighter. In countries such as Slovakia, Hungary, and parts of Southern Europe, rail freight and intermodal strategies are often underdeveloped, with insufficient integration into broader EU funding frameworks. Poland’s success in securing EU co-financing of up to 50% for a range of public and private sector initiatives shows deep alignment with Brussels' climate and transport goals—a level of alignment many other governments have yet to achieve.

Breakdown of Poland’s Funded Projects

Poland’s Ministry of Infrastructure selected a diverse set of proposals that showcase innovation, green technology, and strategic geographic positioning.

Some of the key recipients include:

• Baltic Container Terminal Gdynia: Will receive EUR 30.8 million to equip its terminal with modern handling equipment, enhancing intermodal performance.
• Cargounit (Three Seas Initiative Fund): Awarded EUR 26.9 million to purchase multi-system electric locomotives with zero emissions.
• Rail Capital Partners: Gained EUR 25.7 million for the acquisition of ten modern electric locomotives, also emission-free.
• CLIP Terminals: Granted EUR 17.3 million to build a new intermodal terminal in Zabrze, strategically located on the EU–Ukraine corridor.
• METRANS Polonia: Received EUR 16.9 million to expand terminal infrastructure in Gądki near Poznań, boosting capacity and service efficiency.

Strategic Projects at Key Logistics Hubs

Other projects are aimed at border terminals and electrification of strategic sites:

• Malaszewicze Border Terminal: Awarded EUR 12.2 million to construct a new intermodal hub in the EU customs-free zone, key for east-west freight flow.
• Baltic Container Terminal (second grant): Will use EUR 12 million for the purchase of zero-emission port cranes, improving sustainability and terminal competitiveness.
• Wascosa Freight Wagons Polska: Allocated EUR 10 million to purchase 100 intermodal freight wagons, significantly boosting transport capacity.
• Laude Smart Intermodal: Secured EUR 9.2 million for its Time for Revolution project—new interoperable locomotives and wagons for EU-wide intermodal services.
• EuroWagon Intermodal: Received EUR 7.2 million to procure wagons for rental-based intermodal operations.

Smaller Projects Supporting Broader Network Expansion

Several smaller-scale projects also received significant funding, showing Poland’s commitment to supporting both large players and regional terminals:

• Baltic Container Terminal (third grant): Gets EUR 6.4 million to fund electrification and efficiency upgrades.
• Schavemaker Invest: Awarded EUR 3.1 million for the construction of a reloading terminal in Mietków.
• INBAP Intermodal Terminal: Receives EUR 2.7 million to acquire essential operating equipment.
• Adampol Terminal (Malaszewicze): Gains EUR 1.9 million for development works, marking phase one of terminal expansion.
• Gdynia Intermodal Port Terminal: Assigned EUR 1.8 million for infrastructure enhancement.
• Centrostal Łódź: Granted EUR 1.1 million to expand and upgrade a freight terminal in Łódź, a key logistics hub.
• Euroterminal Sławków: Secures EUR 750,000 to purchase two reach stackers, supporting intermodal transfer operations.

Sources: RAILTARGET; RailwayPRO; EIB