Steel Intermodal Transport in Europe
Coils, Profiles & Pipes
We move steel coils, profiles, pipes and other metal products in our own cranable curtain-sided trailers between Italy, Germany, the Baltic States, Sweden and Denmark — by road only at both ends, by rail or sea in between. Loaded once at your mill or warehouse, the trailer goes through every terminal transfer with the original securing in place.
cranable curtain-sider
instead of 40t by road
forklift from both sides
Why Intermodal for Steel
- More steel per trailer. Steel is dense: a trailer reaches its weight limit long before it is full. In combined transport the gross weight may be 44 t instead of 40 t by road, and our trailers carry up to 28 t of cargo.
- Fewer handling points for heavy cargo. Coils and bundles are not lifted, restacked or re-strapped at the terminals — the crane lifts the whole trailer by its four corner points.
- Long distances off the road. The long haul runs on fixed rail and ferry timetables and is not affected by weekend or holiday driving bans.
How It Works with Cranable Trailers
Every shipment runs in our own cranable curtain-sided trailers — 13.6 m long, with a 2.65 m side opening for forklift loading from both sides and the securing equipment on board: straps, edge protectors, anti-slip mats, distancing boards and pillows.
- Loading at your site. Coils, bundles of profiles or pipes are loaded from the side by forklift and secured for the whole trip — road, rail and sea.
- Truck to the terminal. A truck takes the loaded trailer to the intermodal terminal.
- Crane lift. A gantry crane or reach stacker lifts the whole trailer by its four corner points onto a rail wagon or a RoRo ferry deck. The cargo itself is not touched or re-secured.
- Main leg by rail or sea. The long haul runs by rail or RoRo ferry, connected through our hub in Lübeck.
- Destination terminal. The trailer is lifted off and handed over to a local truck.
- Delivery. A local truck delivers the trailer with the original securing intact; your consignee unloads it from the side by forklift.
What to Know When Shipping Steel
- Weight distribution matters as much as total weight. A few heavy coils can reach the payload with most of the floor still empty. Send us unit weights and dimensions and we will plan the loading with you.
- Coils must be blocked against rolling. Whether a coil travels eye-to-side or eye-to-sky, it needs chocks, cradles or another blocking method that suits the trailer. Agree the method with us before loading.
- Secure for rail and sea, not only for road. On the main leg the cargo is exposed to rail shunting and ship motion as well as road braking. EN 12195-1 is the European standard for securing calculations on road vehicles; the CTU Code covers packing cargo transport units for rail and sea legs.
- Sharp edges and moisture. Sharp edges cut straps — edge protectors are part of our securing kit. Cold-rolled and coated steel should stay wrapped: the curtains keep rain out, not condensation.
- Length. Profiles and pipes have to fit inside the 13.6 m trailer. Longer pieces and unusual dimensions are a case for road transport.
Corridors We Run
For steel we run these lanes between Italy, Germany, the Baltic States, Sweden and Denmark:
- Italy ⇄ Germany — road and rail via our Lübeck hub
- Baltics ⇄ Italy — the Baltic States to Northern Italy via Lübeck
- Italy ⇄ Sweden — road, rail and ferry, door to door
- Italy ⇄ Denmark — Northern Italy to Aarhus and Denmark, road only at both ends
By destination: intermodal transport to Sweden · intermodal transport to Denmark.
All our lanes and how they connect: combined transport in Europe.
CO₂
Per tonne of cargo, our intermodal lanes emit up to 66% less CO₂e than the same shipment by road — well-to-wheel, calculated with EcoTransIT World (ISO 14083 / GLEC methodology), with first and last mile by truck included. The saving differs by lane; ferry legs reduce it. Assumptions and sources: methodology. For steel, where every trailer is full on weight, the per-tonne figure is the one that counts in your emissions reporting.
Compare your own volumes: CO₂ calculator — intermodal vs road
FAQ: Steel
Can steel coils travel in a curtain-sided trailer?
Yes, if the coils are blocked against rolling and secured for road, rail and sea. Send us coil weights, diameters and widths, and we will plan the loading with you before booking.
How much steel fits in one trailer?
Up to 28 t of cargo per cranable trailer. In combined transport the gross weight may be 44 t instead of 40 t by road. With heavy coils the limit is usually how the weight is distributed, not floor space.
Is the steel handled again at the terminals?
No. The whole trailer is lifted by crane at its four corner points; the steel stays loaded and secured from your site to the consignee.
Which routes do you run for steel?
Lanes between Italy, Germany, the Baltic States, Sweden and Denmark: combined transport Italy ⇄ Germany, Baltics ⇄ Italy, Italy ⇄ Sweden and Italy ⇄ Denmark, with collection and delivery by road at both ends.
Which securing equipment is on the trailer?
Straps, edge protectors, anti-slip mats, distancing boards and pillows travel with every trailer. Blocking for coils, such as chocks or cradles, is agreed for each load.
Other industries: paper rolls and pulp · timber and sawn lumber · cement and building materials.
Shipping Steel on Regular Lanes?
Send us your lanes, volumes and unit weights — as a tender file or as a single request. We come back with a quote and a CO₂ estimate for each lane.
Send your tender → Get a quote