The North Sea Port in Ghent, Belgium, now has six modernised 750-metre tracks in the Mercator rail yard. The infrastructure is important for a number of big companies in the area.
The 750-metre tracks enable longer trains to arrive and depart from the rail yard. That helps reduce costs and induce a modal shift from road to rail, in line with European sustainability goals.
“The expansion of the Mercator rail yard is a key lever for a more efficient and sustainable flow of goods in Ghent, at North Sea Port”, commented Flemish Prime Minister Matthias Diependaele. “Flanders is fully committed to multimodal accessibility: we do this via waterways, among other means, but our railways also offer opportunities.”
Companies such as Volvo Cars, Volvo Trucks, DFDS and ArcelorMittal stand to benefit from the Mercator expansion. They are all located in the vicinity of the rail yard. The infrastructure is of “great importance” to the companies, according to North Sea Port.
Future connection with the Netherlands
With the construction work now finalised, the Mercator rail yard has six tracks that are 750 metres or more in length. The three remaining tracks are 545, 580, and 623 metres long. The total investment for the upgrade amounted to 12,5 million euros, of which 8,5 million euros came from European funds. By 2029, the track bundle will also be equipped with signals and automatic switches.
North Sea Port says that a future investment will give the port a direct connection with the Netherlands. “This should allow shipments from Dutch companies to be combined with those from companies at the Kluizendok.” Kluizendok is a dock in the north of the port. “This will make rail transport in and around the port area more accessible for companies with smaller volumes.”
The Mercator rail yard expansion fits into a broader strategy to improve rail infrastructure in the port. Belgian infrastructure manager Infrabel has invested 17 million euros in 750-metre tracks elsewhere in the port in recent years.