How do intermodal terminals tackle infrastructure challenges such as capacity constraints and coordination hiccups? Our students set out to find answers—and they did!

Intermodal terminals in Germany face numerous challenges. From infrastructure constraints and the urgent need to renew aging rail networks to the complexities of integrating various transport modes, today's logistics stakeholders must adapt quickly to ensure efficiency and resilience.

As part of our Logistics Live! excursion, 22 students from TU Darmstadt, accompanied by research associates Ren Kajiyama and Samira Ghaneian, explored real-world logistics operations up close:

Stop 1: Contargo Terminal, Frankfurt-Höchst

At the trimodal terminal, the students gained first-hand insights into how goods are transferred between road, rail, and inland waterways. The focus: managing capacity under pressure and building resilience into daily operations.

Stop 2: DUSS Terminal, Frankfurt Ost

After a guided tour of the site, one highlight stood out—climbing a 25-meter crane for a unique bird’s-eye view of intermodal logistics in action.

A heartfelt thank-you to Kawus Khederzadeh (Contargo) and Anil Aydogan (DUSS) for their time, hospitality, and for sharing how their teams navigate uncertainty in today’s complex logistics landscape.

Where theory meets practice—this is resilience you can see. We are already looking forward to the next time!