Port of Antwerp Expands Use of Rail Shuttles to Surrounding Areas

June 24, 2020 - The Port of Antwerp announced railway operators are offering extra train connections between Antwerp and the hinterland due to low water levels on the Rhine, which continue to cause problems for inland waterway transporters.

According to the Port, this year the low water levels will again impact the capacity of inland waterway transport between the Port of Antwerp and the hinterland. The roadworks on the Oosterweel connection will also create issues for road transport. It is more vital than ever to use the various transport alternatives.

Various railway operators are expanding capacity in relation to their connections or introducing new shuttles. This, in turn, supports intermodal connectivity from the Port of Antwerp. In the first 6 months of 2020, this concerns the railway capacity to Poland, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Slovakia and Czech Republic.

• New shuttle with Poland to destinations, Kutno, Brzeg Dolny, Gliwice, Kolbuszowa by operator PCC Intermodal, 3 x per week direct connection, terminals in Antwerp: MPET, AG, PSA, Main hub
• Expansion of railway capacity in Germany on shuttles Mannheim, Recklinghausen, Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, operator Lineas Intermodal, 3 x per week, terminals: MPET, AG, PSA, Main hub
• Expansion of capacity at Duisburg by Kombiverkehr, 3 x week, terminal: Combinant
• Improved shuttle with Switzerland at destination Frenkendorf via Neuss, operator Swiss Terminal, 3 x per week, terminals in Antwerp: MPET, AG
• Increased frequency of shuttle Basel Switzerland from 5 to 8 per week, operator Lineas Intermodal, terminals: MPET, AG, PSA, Main hub
• Increased frequency of shuttle with Austria at Vienna, from 3 to 6 per week, operator Lineas Intermodal, terminals: MPET, AG, PSA, Main hub
• Increased frequency of shuttle Slovakia at Bratislava from 3 to 6 per week, operator Lineas Intermodal, terminals: MPET, AG, PSA, Main hub
• Increased frequency of shuttle Czech Republic via Recklinghausen from 3 to 5 per week, operator Lineas Intermodal, terminals: MPET, AG, PSA, Main hub
• New shuttle with France at Metz via existing shuttle Athus (Antwerp-Athus-Metz) 2 x per week, operator Luxport, terminals Antwerp: MPET, AG, PSA

Various railway operators are also planning new shuttles or expansions to the capacity of their railway connections between Antwerp and European countries (e.g. MSC Medlog, Lineas Intermodal, Hupac and others) in the spring, the Port said.

In addition, railway connections from the Port of Antwerp with China are also gaining ground.

SOURCE: Port of Antwerp