Rail freight volumes in the Netherlands fell by ten per cent in 2023. In its annual rail freight report, Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail explains that it was mostly external factors that contributed to the drop. As a result, operators have cancelled various charters throughout the past year.
Rail freight volumes amounted to 42,7 million tonnes of goods, which is ten per cent lower than in 2022. ProRail points out that freight volumes were exceptionally high in 2022, and that last year’s drop can be explained by a return to normal.
For example, there was a relatively high demand for coal after Europe sought to replace its Russian gas imports in 2022. Increased coal consumption subsequently boosted freight volumes on the Dutch network. Simultaneously, rail diversions from Belgium contributed to higher amounts of freight being transported in the Netherlands. In 2023, the relatively high demand for coal subsided and detours for trains from Belgium were no longer needed.
Freight turnover
Another important factor in the reduction of freight volumes was the loss of freight turnover in Dutch ports. According to ProRail, the stagnating Chinese and German economies led to lower demand for transportation of goods and resources. Similarly, limited capacity in the Panama Canal due to drought, as well as various conflicts around the world disturbed global trade. Consequently, Dutch ports imported fewer goods and there was lower demand for rail freight transportation.
Infrastructure works around the largest Dutch shunting terrain Kijfhoek also hindered freight trains. While a temporary fifty per cent capacity reduction from June 2023 was planned, unforeseen water damage in September prolonged the hindrance.
Cancelled services
As a result of the ten per cent loss in freight volumes and a subsequent fall in demand, various services were cancelled. According to ProRail, shuttle trains no longer service routes such as Tilburg to Poland, Amsterdam to Duisburg and Lutterade to Moerdijk. In some cases, frequencies were reduced. ProRail mentions the routes Rotterdam to Venlo and Rotterdam to Duisburg/Rheinhausen as examples. However, new services were also started, such as Rotterdam to Warsaw and Rotterdam to Magdeburg.
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