Lineas and chemical company Evonik announce the relaunch of a strategic rail connection in the Port of Antwerp. Since mid-November 2024, a weekly train service now connects Evonik’s production sites in the Port of Antwerp with Lineas’ Mainhub terminal. Here, seamless connections are provided to the LoRo (Left Bank-Right Bank) and RoRo (Right Bank-Right Bank) networks, further increasing transport efficiency.
This Intraport connection, which was initially introduced in 2008, was discontinued in 2022 and replaced by road transport. With its reinstatement, Evonik is not only reducing the number of trucks on the road but is also making an intentional modal shift to rail. This sustainable alternative aims to reduce traffic congestion while also bringing greater efficiency, reliability and a smaller carbon footprint.
The renewed service takes 5700 trucks off the road every year. Thanks to technological innovations and accurate planning, rail transport is an alternative to road transport and can deliver goods at the right speed. This makes rail a viable and smart link in the modern supply chain, even in complex port environments.
Evonik emphasizes that this connection fits within their broader sustainability goals. “With this service, we show that rail transport is not only more sustainable, even when it comes to short-haul intermodal transport, but also fits perfectly with our vision to further optimize our supply chains,” says Tim Mertens, Assistant Logistics Solutions at Evonik. “This project is an excellent example of how cooperation with the right partners can lead to impactful results.”
“This project illustrates the essential role rail transport can play in logistics strategies. Thanks to our shared vision, we have achieved a fantastic result: transport that is both more sustainable and more efficient. We are proud of this collaboration with Evonik and hope it will inspire other companies to make the shift to rail,” Luc Pirenne, CCO of Lineas, adds.
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