Since the beginning of December, Belgian private rail operator Lineas provides daily rail links between 3 terminals in the Port of Zeebrugge and the European Green Xpress Network. This optimized rail link enables the port and Lineas to work together to coordinate better the rail offering between the port and the most important European destinations and to turn Zeebrugge into a real rail hub.
Because the Port of Zeebrugge is directly connected to the Green Xpress Network – a network of direct, frequent rail connections between European economic centres –, cargo from Zeebrugge can reach its European destination (and vice-versa) with the shortest transit times. In this way, goods transport via rail becomes more attractive and more cost-effective than by road.
Thanks to these new connections, Zeebrugge is now linked with Switzerland (Basel), Austria (Vienna, Graz/Welz), Slovakia (Bratislava), Germany (Köln, Ludwigshafen/Mannheim), Italy (Milano), Spain (Madrid, Tarragona, Hendaye, Granollers), Czech Republic (Lovosice), Sweden (Malmö) and the ports of Rotterdam and Le Havre.
Lineas runs a departure and arrival service on every working day to and from 3 terminals in Zeebrugge (C.RO Ports and P&O Ferries for the shortsea and Cosco Shipping Ports Zeebrugge Terminal for the deep sea, so that cargos can be on their way to the international destinations on the same day. In this way, Lineas can provide a fast connection between Zeebrugge and a large number of European industrial hubs.
“For the Seaport of Bruges, this rail link means strengthening our intermodal offers deep into Europe. This intermodal transport is our strength,” Joachim Coens, CEO Port of Zeebrugge, said.
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