Construction is set to begin this summer on a major, multi-phase project to enhance rail freight container traffic at the Port of Rotterdam. The first phase or ‘bundle’ of the Maasvlakte-Zuid railway yard (EMZ), will comprise six process tracks and associated general facilities, a spokesperson for the Dutch maritime gateway told RailFreight.com in an interview.
It is scheduled to be operational in the third quarter of 2027 with an investment from the port authority amounting to 140 million euros. A second bundle of similar rail infrastructure, to be developed over the period 2030-2035, will attract investment of approximately 100 million euros, also funded by the port authority, the spokesperson said.
The EMZ project also makes provision for third and fourth phase work, to be financed by the Dutch Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, with an additional investment of 75 to 100 million euros. But this will depend on capacity requirements in the long-term, between 2040 and 2050.
Modal shift
Rail’s modal share for container traffic at the port of Rotterdam currently stands at 8% – compared to 58% for road and 34% for inland shipping. While the port has not said publicly what percentage increase it is targeting in the coming years, it is a strong advocate of facilitating and encouraging the further growth in train-borne freight traffic, the spokesperson noted.
“With a focus on southern Germany, Austria, Italy and eastern Europe, Rotterdam aims to shift more freight transport towards rail and inland waterways, reducing reliance on trucks. This ‘modal shift’ ambition is driven by the need for more sustainable and efficient logistics, particularly for hinterland connections.”
The port is also actively promoting intermodal transport and enhancing connections. “We aim to make it easier for shippers to combine different modes of transport, for example, from ship to train, to optimize logistics. The port is also working to improve connections with the European hinterland via inland waterways and rail networks. We are in discussions with shippers and market participants to see if rail and inland waterways would be a better fit than road for certain (traffic) flows through our port,” the spokesperson noted.
Project overview for the Maasvlakte-Zuid rail yard. Image: © Port of Rotterdam
Digitalisation
Complementing rail infrastructure development at Rotterdam are digitalisation initiatives. For example, Rail Connected is a digital programme designed to streamline information-sharing between carriers, rail operators and terminals. It includes the implementation of advanced technologies such as track sensors and cameras to provide estimated time of arrivals (ETA) – crucial for efficient planning and can significantly reduce wait times and improve asset utilisation.
400 international rail connections
Asked to give a snapshot of Rotterdam’s current rail freight offering, to and from the Maasvlakte, the spokesperson highlighted a broad range of services which operate to both fixed and variable schedules.
“Trains transporting boxes typically operate on fixed schedules (400 international container rail connections per week) and represent the largest share of rail traffic to and from the Maasvlakte, followed by trains carrying liquid bulk, which may run on fixed schedules or on an ad hoc basis. “Trains loaded with ore and coal – also operating on fixed schedules, rank third and fourth in terms of volume while to a lesser extent, the port handles multi-customer single wagon/groupage services too,”
As for services with variable schedules, they provide factories with the flexibility to better respond to the supply of raw materials or the dispatch of semi-finished products, the spokesperson added.