Slated for full operation in spring 2010, DB Schenker's Sophia, Bulgaria terminal construction is on schedule, the company says. The €10 million center in Bozhuriste is 20 minutes from the center of Sophia.
Construction began in February 2009 and is on schedule, says Schenker. All buildings are nearly finished. The logistics warehouse is currently being insulated. The hall, which covers an area of 3,000 square meters and is ten meters high, can hold around 4,000 pallets and will be equipped with high-bay racking.
The 2,000 square meter cross-docking hall is also nearing completion. It has 30 loading bays, 20 of which have hydraulic ramps. Both buildings are equipped with state-of-the-art security technology and fire safety systems. An office complex covering roughly 3,500 square meters is also being built next to the center.
The terminal has two private rail sidings with a total length of approximately 220 meters. A ramp will enable three four-axle rail cars to be processed simultaneously. Up to six rail cars can be loaded and unloaded on the other track. "In our region, we are relying increasingly on railports - terminals where we can implement intermodal solutions that are profitable for our customers," stressed Elmar Wieland, chairman of Schenker & Co AG, Vienna, responsible for activities in Bulgaria. "Our Sofia site will open up new business opportunities thanks to its location and equipment," said Wieland. Opportunities will be opened up both for national distribution within Bulgaria and for transportation to and from Bulgaria since the Sofia terminal will be fully integrated into DB Schenker's European network.
