Transporthallen

Transporthallen, literally “the transport hall” in several Nordic languages, is a term used to describe large indoor facilities designed to support the movement, storage and transfer of people and goods within a transport network. The expression can refer to a generic type of building or to specific venues that bear the name.

In logistics, a transporthallen functions as a freight terminal or warehouse equipped with loading docks, vehicle access points, and sometimes rail sidings or cranes. It may form part of an intermodal hub linking road, rail, maritime, and air transport, and is often used for storage, sorting, and staging of cargo. In passenger contexts, the term can designate terminals or concourses used by buses, trams, or local trains, including waiting areas and ticket facilities.

Architecturally, transporthallen are typically robust structures with wide interiors, high ceilings and reinforced floors to handle heavy loads. Design priorities include efficient traffic circulation, safety, climate control for sensitive goods, and the possibility of modular expansion as volumes grow.

Historically, such halls emerged with the expansion of rail and road transport in the 19th and 20th centuries and have since adapted to containerization and digital logistics. Some former transporthallen have been repurposed as cultural centers, marketplaces, or mixed-use logistics campuses while retaining their original identity.

See also: logistics terminal, intermodal terminal, freight terminal, transport hub.