METRANS, a subsidiary of Hamburger Hafen und Logistik AG (HHLA), wants to invest in the construction of a large transshipment terminal at the fuel depot in Krailling, Bavaria. METRANS' intention was reported by the Munich newspaper Merkur. As the project is still at an early stage, neither the timetable nor the amount of the planned investment is known. The project would also aim to connect to the Brenner Base Tunnel, which will link Italy and Austria underground from 2032. Ultimately, the project could also speed up transport to Germany, as the tunnel is part of the Berlin-Palermo trans-European corridor.
The Krailling site was once built during the Nazi era in preparation for World War II, then belonged to the Federal Republic of Germany and is now owned by G1 Krailling Real Estate, operated by Krailling Oils Development GmbH. In the past, Krailling was also used by the Czech Republic to store its strategic reserves.
METRANS emphasizes the environmental benefits of construction. However, according to the Merkur, local politicians and representatives of the surrounding municipalities disagree with the project, considering the construction plan to be too oversized and, in their opinion, endangering the surrounding nature. The mayors of the surrounding villages reject deforestation and are concerned about night-time railway traffic. Critics also point out that the fuel depot already has three stations. The Bavarian Ministry of Transport has therefore encouraged the investor to engage in intensive negotiations with all local stakeholders to discuss and openly debate the objectives of the project, the current state of planning, and the impact on local people.
