PSA Baltics N.V., a subsidiary of PSA International (PSA), has signed an agreement to acquire an 85% majority stake in Loconi International S.A. (Loconi), one of Poland's major intermodal operators, from the publicly traded Polish freight forwarder ATC Cargo S.A.
"This strategic move aims to develop new rail products to support PSA's European container hubs, thereby offering its customers additional options to execute the modal shift from road to rail," the port operator said in a statement.
It added that with this acquisition, PSA intends to enhance existing hinterland connections from the Baltic Hub Container Terminal in Gdansk, Poland and extend the port's reach into new markets in Central and Eastern Europe.
PSA said the transaction is still subject to approval from the relevant authorities.
Established in 2011, Loconi provides logistics solutions for shipping companies and freight forwarders that integrate rail transport, last-mile road transport and depot services for containerised cargo.
Loconi runs 220 trains every month across five corridors in Poland and handles approximately 250,000 TEUs each year. These corridors connect the ports of Gdansk and Gdynia on Poland's northern shore with its two independently operated rail terminals in Warsaw and Radomsko in the centre of Poland and five third-party terminals in Gadki and Poznan Franowo in the West and Katy Wroclawskie, Dabrowa Gornicza and Slawkow in the South.
Earlier this year, Loconi launched two additional corridors to Lodz in Central Poland and Oswiecim in Southern Poland.
Baltic Hub — a joint venture between PSA, the Polish Development Fund (PFR) and IFM Investment Fund — is a rapidly expanding deepsea terminal in Gdansk, Poland.
Its rail terminal currently handles more than 500 trains each month, providing critical container transport services through a number of independent partners within Poland with extensive connections across Central and Eastern Europe.
"With the acquisition of Loconi, Baltic Hub is poised to supplement its rail product offerings originating from Gdansk, thereby fostering greater operational efficiencies and streamlined services to its partners while continuing to operate as a multi-user rail terminal," PSA said in the announcement.
Vincent Ng, regional CEO of PSA Europe & Mediterranean and PSA Middle East South Asia, said PSA is looking forward to the potential positive impact this acquisition will bring in the companies' joint operations as well as the wider logistics industry in Poland, Eastern and Central Europe.
"Loconi will play an important part in our Node-to-Network strategy in going beyond terminal services and growing our role as a port ecosystem player through the development of port-adjacent services, such as intermodal connectivity and digitalisation," Ng said.
"This move underscores our commitment to innovation and superior customer service, paving the way for a more interconnected and efficient port and supply chain network in the region," he added.
Lidia Dziewierska, chief executive officer of Loconi Intermodal, noted that the company's intention was to "find a long-term partner who would support us onward in our exciting journey to enable the shift from road to rail."
"For years, we have paid special attention to developing effective rail-based transport solutions which can serve as a true alternative to road transport and thus genuinely add value to the ecosystems of our customers, partners and local communities. Our ambition has been to remain creative and dynamic as we grow and the journey continues," she said.
"We believe that PSA is an excellent partner to ensure that these Loconi values remain relevant and that all intermodal stakeholders take better advantage of the untapped potential of rail transport in this part of Europe," Dziewierska added.
