Freight Village Schönefelder Kreuz: Logistics hub at the gateway to Lusatia

On 5 September 2024, a meeting of the brand alliance partners of Airport Region BB took place at the freight village Schönefelder Kreuz. Mr. Michael Fiedler, Managing Director of LUTRA GmbH, presented an overview of the current developments and future prospects of the freight village. Ms. Michaela Wiezorek, Mayor of Königs Wusterhausen, then presented an overview of the ongoing transformation of the region, planned projects, and the associated opportunities and challenges for the region. The GVZ Schönefelder Kreuz is positioned as a gateway to Lusatia and plays a pivotal role in the regional economic transformation.

GVZ Schönefelder Kreuz in brief

In recent years, the freight village has evolved from a coal transhipment hub into a modern logistics location with new mainstays: heavy-duty transhipment, intermodal transport and tourism.

The freight village encompasses an impressive 650,000 square metres, with 400,000 square metres dedicated to industrial use. Approximately 450 employees are currently based at the site, with around 28 companies located there. The freight village is operated by LUTRA GmbH, which is wholly owned by the town of Königs Wusterhausen and currently employs 27 people. With a total goods transhipment volume of over one million tonnes in 2023, including over 500,000 tonnes by inland waterway vessel, the Schönefelder Kreuz freight village is a central hub for freight transport.

Infrastructure and transport links

The GVZ Schönefelder Kreuz boasts a strategic location with convenient access to multiple transportation infrastructure options. It is also worth noting the direct connection to the Berliner Ring (A10 motorway), which enables efficient handling of road freight traffic. The proximity of the site to Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) – which can be reached in approximately 15 minutes – provides companies with access to global air freight connections, offering additional flexibility.

The connection to the European inland waterway network is of central importance. The port of Königs Wusterhausen provides an additional option for handling freight traffic by water, which is particularly advantageous for heavy-duty transport. This makes the GVZ an especially attractive option for companies that have to transport large and heavy goods over long distances.

Furthermore, rail transport represents a significant component of the GVZ's infrastructure. The existing rail connection will be expanded by 2028 to accommodate longer trains (up to 740 metres) approaching the centre. This will facilitate even greater integration of the GVZ into the European rail network, enabling it to accommodate larger transport volumes.

This multimodal structure enables companies to respond flexibly to varying transport requirements and to select the most appropriate mode of transport for their goods.

Expansion

The future outlook is promising. The planned Terminal 2 for intermodal transshipment is set to commence operations in 2026, further enhancing the facility's capacity. The expansion of the container terminal and the development of heavy-duty transshipment options present further opportunities for growth.

The planned expansion of the port over the next seven years will provide a further 75,000 square metres of industrial and commercial space, representing a significant increase in available facilities. With over €30 million already invested in infrastructure, the GVZ Schönefelder Kreuz is well-positioned to establish itself as a central hub for next-generation logistics. A notable aspect of the port of Königs Wusterhausen is its commitment to sustainability. In 2023, the port achieved its most successful year to date without handling fossil fuels.

Tourism and regional development

In addition to freight transport, tourism also plays an important role in the GVZ. The establishment of boat-building companies, a marina and a houseboat shipyard has created additional tourist attractions that contribute to the economic diversification of the location.

We would like to thank LUTRA GmbH for the invitation and all those who attended on the evening. We look forward to the next meeting of the brand alliance partners on 21 November.