Reopening of transport route linking Koblenz/Cologne and Bremerhaven via Bremen - City officials in Bremerhaven and the Mobility Senator express regret over Deutsche Bahn's decision.
Deutsche Bahn's decision to discontinue the Intercity (IC) connection between Koblenz/Cologne and Bremerhaven, introduced at the end of 2021, has left the city significantly dependent on tourism isolated from long-distance traffic. The IC line, which runs from Koblenz/Cologne via Münster, Osnabrück, Bremen, and Osterholz-Scharmbeck to Bremerhaven, was frequently cancelled due to lack of personnel or technical problems.
Mayor Melf Grantz of Bremerhaven finds Deutsche Bahn's decision unacceptable and demands not only the reversal of the current railway decision but also a significantly improved connection of Bremerhaven to long-distance traffic. Dr. Ralph Baumheier, State Secretary in the Senator for Construction, Mobility and Urban Development, considers the loss of the direct connection a setback for Bremerhaven.
The discontinuation of the Intercity connection leaves a gap in long-distance travel for the city, which is heavily reliant on tourism. However, there is potential for alternative long-distance connection options.
After the discontinuation of the IC line, alternative long-distance connection options primarily involve combined rail and logistic networks focusing on freight and intermodal transport rather than traditional passenger long-distance services.
One such alternative is the Rail Gate Bremerhaven transshipment facility, opened in July 2025. This large rail terminal is directly connected to the container terminals at Bremerhaven port and is designed for extensive combined transport between maritime and inland freight routes with six transshipment tracks and advanced remote-controlled cranes. While this facility is freight-oriented, its enhancement of rail capacity and infrastructure suggests potential for improved regional and national rail connections that might be leveraged or adapted over time.
Between 2026 and 2027, the Bremerhaven–Bremen rail line is scheduled for comprehensive modernization as part of Germany’s ‘Generalsanierung’ (major renovation) plan. These upgrades could facilitate faster or more reliable long-distance regional connections.
Rail Cargo Group’s TransFER network and other intermodal rail freight connections are expanding, offering strong transit linkages across Europe with timely, reliable logistics services. Though these are freight-focused, the infrastructure and operational improvements in the region may indirectly support passenger service alternatives or future reinstatements.
Currently, there is no direct passenger long-distance replacement explicitly mentioned for Deutsche Bahn’s discontinued IC line to Bremerhaven among the search results. However, the emphasis on infrastructure upgrades, combined freight-rail facilities, and improved rail corridor capacity from Bremerhaven to major hubs like Bremen indicates potential for regional train services or alternative long-distance connections via Bremen or other hubs, possibly through regional trains (e.g., Intercity or Intercity Express reroutes) or alternative operators in the future.
For immediate travel, passengers likely need to rely on regional trains connecting Bremerhaven to Bremen or Hamburg, then transfer to long-distance services from those larger hubs.
The city of Bremerhaven and the mobility department hope to find viable solutions to reintegrate Bremerhaven more strongly into the long-distance network. Deutsche Bahn will remain in exchange with the city of Bremerhaven and affected regions to examine alternative long-distance connection options. Grantz believes that instead of cutting services, railway authorities should look for the reasons for the sluggish demand.
[1] Rail Gate Bremerhaven transshipment facility [2] Bremerhaven–Bremen rail line renovation [4] Rail Cargo Group’s TransFER network
- The Rail Gate Bremerhaven transshipment facility, opened in July 2025, while primarily designed for freight transportation, potentially offers raw materials for improved regional and national rail connections, which might be utilized or adjusted over time, thereby serving as a possible alternative long-distance connection for Bremerhaven.
- The upcoming modernization of the Bremerhaven–Bremen rail line between 2026 and 2027, as part of Germany’s ‘Generalsanierung’ plan, holds potential for faster or more reliable long-distance regional connections, which could serve as a stepping stone for alternative long-distance connections to Bremerhaven.
