Freight Transport Center in Frankfurt Oder

GVZ Frankfurt (Oder) – The strategic gateway to Eastern Europe

In the modern logistics world, choosing the right location is more than just a question of rent and square meters. It is a strategic decision that determines the efficiency, reach and future viability of supply chains. One location that is increasingly coming into focus in this context is the freight transport centre (GVZ) Frankfurt (Oder). But what makes this location on the German-Polish border so special? Is it just another business park or is it a highly specialised logistics hub with unique advantages? This non-fiction text analyses the GVZ Frankfurt (Oder) in all its facets – from the hard infrastructure to the soft location factors.

General Description: A Hub with a European Vision

The freight transport centre in Frankfurt (Oder) is no ordinary logistics area. It was specifically designed as a multimodal interface in order to intelligently bundle and distribute the flow of goods between Western and Eastern Europe. Covering a total area of around 130 hectares, it offers space for logistics, distribution and production companies looking for a direct connection to the main European transport corridors.

The core concept of a freight transport center is based on the idea of linking different modes of transport – road, rail and waterway – as efficiently as possible at a single point. The aim is to minimise pre-carriage and onward carriage by road and to switch to the more cost-effective and environmentally friendly modes of transport rail and ship for long-distance journeys. The GVZ Frankfurt (Oder) fulfils this requirement through its trimodal orientation and has thus established itself as an essential building block on the "New Silk Road" (Belt and Road Initiative) from China to Europe.

Strategic Location: At the Heart of the Trans-European Transport Network

Perhaps the greatest strength of the GVZ is its geographical position. Frankfurt (Oder) is located directly on the German-Polish border and acts as a natural bridge between the established markets of Western Europe and the dynamically growing economies of Central and Eastern Europe.

• Paris-Berlin-Warsaw-Moscow axis: The GVZ is located directly on the Pan-European Transport Corridor II. This is one of the most important east-west main roads in Europe.
• Proximity to metropolises: The German capital Berlin with its huge consumer market and the international airport BER is only about 90 kilometers away. On the Polish side, the economically strong region of Poznań can be reached in around 170 kilometres.

This location not only minimizes transport times, but also gives companies access to two complementary economic areas with different cost structures and market potential. The question for internationally active companies is therefore not whether, but how they can use this strategic position for their supply chains.

Infrastructure in Perfection: The Trimodal Promise

What does "trimodal" mean in concrete terms for a company in the Frankfurt (Oder) freight transport center? It means maximum flexibility and efficiency in the choice of mode of transport. Each of the three paths is optimally developed and integrated directly into the area.

Road access

The direct connection to the A12 (E30) federal motorway  is the backbone of road freight transport. The A12 is the German extension of the Polish A2 motorway and seamlessly connects Berlin with Warsaw and beyond. From the GVZ it is only a few hundred meters to the motorway entrance, which ensures a fast and congestion-free flow of traffic.

Rail connection

The heart of the GVZ is the DUSS terminal (Deutsche Umschlaggesellschaft Schiene-Straße), a state-of-the-art CT terminal (Combined Transport).

• Capacity: The terminal has several transshipment tracks and gantry cranes that enable fast handling of containers, swap bodies and semi-trailers between trucks and freight trains.
• International connections: Regular block train connections connect Frankfurt (Oder) with the German seaports (Hamburg, Bremerhaven), important economic centres in Western Europe (e.g. Ruhr area) and, above all, with terminals in Poland, Belarus and further to China. This rail connection is a crucial factor for companies operating on the Eurasian land bridge.

Water connection

The often overlooked but strategically important third mode of transport is the waterway. The GVZ has its own inland port on the Oder.

• Connection to the seaports: The Oder offers a direct navigable connection to the port of Schwedt and further via the Hohensaaten-Friedrichsthaler waterway and the Niederfinow ship lift to the Szczecin Lagoon ports (Szczecin/Stettin) and thus to the Baltic Sea.
• Potential: Even though water transport currently has a lower volume than rail and road, it represents a valuable, cost-effective and ecological alternative for non-time-critical bulk and heavy cargo. The planned expansion of the Oder as a waterway could significantly increase this importance in the future.

Nearest airport

Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER) is the nearest international cargo and passenger airport. It can be reached via the A12 and A10 in about an hour's drive (approx. 90 km) and offers access to the global air freight network.

Top Logistics Region: Why Frankfurt (Oder) Scores

The classification as a "top logistics region" depends on more than just the infrastructure. It is the interplay of several factors that makes the location so attractive for logistics companies.

1. Gateway function: The GVZ is one of the few trimodal centres at the EU's external border and therefore a predestined customs and clearance location.
2. Cost efficiency: Compared to established hubs such as Hamburg or the Ruhr area, the region often offers more favourable conditions for land and operating costs.
3. 24/7 operation: The terminals in the GVZ enable round-the-clock operation, which is essential for time-critical logistics chains.
4. Funding opportunities: As a location in a region classified as structurally weak, companies benefit from attractive investment grants and funding programmes from the state, the federal government and the EU. The Investment Bank of the State of Brandenburg (ILB) is a central point of contact here.

Economic Development and Companies Located

The development of the GVZ is a success story. The steadily growing throughput figures in the CT terminal, especially on the route to Poland, are proof of the increasing importance. The settlement of well-known companies underlines the attractiveness of the location. The companies operating in the GVZ and the adjacent industrial park include logistics service providers, freight forwarders and industrial companies that take advantage of the multimodal possibilities. A well-known example is Poco's logistics center, which supplies its markets in Eastern Europe from here. Companies such as Alcar or BEGA Gantenbrink-Leuchten KG also  use the location. The presence of these players creates a dynamic environment and synergy effects for newly established companies.

Key Facts at a Glance

Cost Analysis: Rent, Land Prices and Tax Rates

Costs are of central importance for an investment decision. What financial conditions do companies find in Frankfurt (Oder)?

Land prices:

Commercial properties in the GVZ area are significantly cheaper compared to western German conurbations. Prices vary depending on the location and degree of development, but are within a competitive range. Exact and up-to-date prices should be requested directly from the Investor Center Ostbrandenburg (ICOB), the central marketer of the space. Historically, prices have often been in the range of €20-40/m².

Prices:

The rents for modern logistics and warehouses are also attractive. According to logistics real estate market reports, prime rents in the Berlin-Brandenburg region outside the immediate vicinity of Berlin are significantly lower than in top locations such as Hamburg or Munich. This allows for significant savings in operating costs.

Tax rates:

An important and often underestimated factor is municipal taxes.

• Trade tax rate: The city of Frankfurt (Oder) has a trade tax rate of 400% (as of 2023/2024). This value is in line with the German average and is competitive compared to many large cities (e.g. Berlin with 410%, Munich with 490%).
• Property tax B: The assessment rate for property tax B is 550% (as of 2023/2024).

Source for the assessment rates: City of Frankfurt (Oder), Chamber of Industry and Commerce of East Brandenburg.

These moderate rates contribute to the overall profitability of a settlement.

Workers and Skilled Workers: The Potential of the Border Region

The availability of qualified personnel is a critical success factor. The situation in Frankfurt (Oder) is characterized by a special duality.

• Regional potential: The East Brandenburg region has a reservoir of workers. Although the unemployment rate is higher than the national average, this also means a potential of available employees for semi-skilled and unskilled jobs in logistics.
• Cross-border labour market: The direct proximity to the Polish city of Słubice and the entire Lubuskie Voivodeship opens up access to a large pool of motivated and often well-educated Polish workers. Many Polish commuters already work in the region. The European University Viadrina in Frankfurt (Oder) also ensures a steady supply of internationally trained, multilingual graduates, especially in economics and law.
• Challenges: As in many regions of Germany, the lack of specific skilled workers, such as professional drivers or specialized logistics specialists, is a challenge. Companies that settle here should therefore proactively invest in training, further education and cross-border recruitment strategies.

Conclusion: For whom is the GVZ Frankfurt (Oder) the Optimal Choice?

The freight transport centre in Frankfurt (Oder) is much more than just a logistics park. It is a highly specialized, trimodal hub at one of Europe's most important geostrategic interfaces. The location is the optimal choice for companies:

1. which are heavily involved in trade with Poland and Eastern Europe.
2. who want to optimize their supply chains on the Eurasian land bridge (New Silk Road).
3. who value multimodal flexibility to reduce costs and reduce their carbon footprint.
4. who want to benefit from an attractive cost environment of rents, land prices and taxes.
5. who can use the workforce potential of a German-Polish twin city.

The combination of first-class infrastructure, strategic location and solid economic conditions makes the Frankfurt (Oder) freight transport center one of the most promising logistics locations in Central Europe. It is a prime example of how thoughtful planning and geographical advantages can open a gateway to the markets of tomorrow.