Why was the 158-tonne locomotive dismantled to 120 tonnes for the Berlin road segment?

Due to weight restrictions on the bridge along the 15-km route from Berlin West port to the exhibition centre, the locomotive had to be reduced to comply with local infrastructure limits. The article notes this was identified as the most challenging portion of the entire logistics chain, requiring special permits and tree cutting in addition to the weight modification.

What transport modes were used to move the cargo from Taicang to Berlin?

The shipment employed four distinct modes: ocean freight on Chipolbrok's 62,000 dwt multipurpose vessel Boym from Taicang through the Suez Canal to Cuxhaven (with a supply stop in Nador, Morocco), inland waterway barges from Cuxhaven to Berlin West port via German river systems, heavy road transport for the final 15 km, and assembly at the exhibition venue.

Which freight forwarder coordinated this complex move?

Polbrok Agency & International Forwarding, the freight forwarding arm of multipurpose carrier Chipolbrok, orchestrated the entire movement. Deufol Döhle Projects (DDP), a local German partner, handled the most demanding segment from Cuxhaven to Berlin via inland waterways and final road transport.

How did the cargo return to China after the Berlin exhibition?

The assembled composition was moved via inland waterways to the port of Hamburg and loaded onto Chipolbrok's multipurpose heavy lift vessel Paderewski for the return journey to China, using similar multimodal logistics in reverse.

What makes this logistics operation significant for supply chain professionals?

This case demonstrates the coordination required for moving oversized industrial prototypes internationally, including regulatory compliance, infrastructure constraints, specialized equipment, and multimodal orchestration. It highlights how freight forwarders and logistics operators must integrate multiple service providers and adapt plans when standard transport methods are insufficient.

Shipping & Freight

Moderate

CRRC Velforce Prototype Reaches Berlin via Complex Multimodal Supply Chain

Nov 2, 2026

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The signal

China Railway Rolling Stock Corporation successfully transported a prototype hydrogen fuel cell hybrid locomotive and metro carriages from Taicang, China to Berlin for exhibition. The 158-tonne Velforce locomotive required dismantling to 120 tonnes due to bridge weight restrictions during the final 15-km road segment, demonstrating the extreme complexity of moving large industrial equipment internationally.

This logistics feat involved four distinct transport modes: ocean freight via Chipolbrok's multipurpose vessel Boym, inland waterway barges through German rivers, heavy road transport with special permits and tree cutting, and return transit via the heavy lift vessel Paderewski. The successful coordination among Polbrok Agency, Deufol Döhle Projects, and Chipolbrok showcases how modern supply chains tackle unprecedented movement challenges for high-value industrial prototypes requiring exhibition globally.

#multipurpose-vessels

#crrc-velforce

#berlin-exhibition

#supply-chain-logistics

#transhipment

#special-permits