Trains have been absent from the Belgian Port of Ostend for 15 long years, but that time has now come to an end. Rail freight made its return on 15 May with operator Lineas sending an automotive train to the port.
“Lineas, Europe’s largest private rail freight operator, made history today together with the Port of Ostend with the arrival of the very first car train ever in its port area”, Lineas writes. “This milestone marks not only an important step in the transformation of the port, but also the reactivation of block train rail traffic in the Port of Ostend after more than 15 years.”
That is a long time for trains to be absent. The return of trains therefore also took some serious preparatory work: “For a year and a half, intensive cooperation took place with [Belgian infrastructure manager] Infrabel to make the existing railway in the port operational again. Investments are being made in signaling, rail transshipment, and the necessary infrastructure to enable the restart of freight traffic by rail.”
More than just ships
All of that work is supposed to help the port achieve its strategy plan for more sustainable and diversified transport, Lineas continues. Rail should turn into an important alternative to shortsea traffic. Trains will, in due time, offer connections to various destinations in Europe three times a week. When it comes to the car train of 15 May, it is part of “a larger intermodal story in which the port is further developing its Tilbury terminal”, specifies Lineas.
“This car train symbolizes more than just a new connection. It is tangible proof of our transformation into a Safe, Full, and Innovative port. Here, we are bringing road, water, and rail together in a smart way”, commented Ostend port CEO Dirk Declerck.