{"id":432248,"date":"2026-05-19T16:05:00","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T06:05:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.railfreight.com\/?p=71221"},"modified":"2026-05-19T16:05:00","modified_gmt":"2026-05-19T06:05:00","slug":"second-activist-group-joins-rotterdam-blockades-tries-to-vandalise-the-tracks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vibewire.com.au\/?p=432248","title":{"rendered":"Second activist group joins Rotterdam blockades, tries to vandalise the tracks"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Rotterdam port railway has been heavily impacted by a week of activist blockades. The \u201cGeef Tegengas\u201d collective has targeted rail freight operations in the area to protest supposed Dutch involvement in the Gaza war, human rights violations and pollution. It now seems that a second group of activists has taken inspiration from Geef Tegengas.<\/strong>
\n<\/span>The activist group \u201cKappen met Kolen\u201d (loosely translated: \u2018Quit coal\u2019, a group linked to Extinction Rebellion) relieved their counterparts from Geef Tegengas on Sunday, after the latter had occupied the Rotterdam port railway for eight consecutive days.<\/p>\n

Beyond merely blocking the railway, Kappen met Kolen also tried to remove the track ballast in an attempt to vandalise the infrastructure. It did the same last year. Last Sunday, the police arrested 12 individuals who continued removing ballast despite police orders to stop. At the same time, Geef Tegengas blocked the freight railway in Elst, some 100 kilometres east of Rotterdam.<\/p>\n

Reputational concern<\/h2>\n

Dutch infrastructure manager ProRail says that the activists are inflicting reputational damage on the Netherlands. International customers and logistics partners consider predictability, availability and the reliability of infrastructure in their business decisions. \u201cLong disruptions can lead to businesses choosing alternative routes or other modes of transport more often\u201d, the infrastructure manager says.<\/p>\n

The reaction of the rail freight industry, as evidenced by comments on social media, has been one of disbelief. Entering the tracks is illegal, so why not charge these activists for trespassing?<\/p>\n

ProRail explained to RailFreight.com\u2019s sister publication SpoorPro in 2025 that it considers this to be a delicate question. \u201cThe moment people enter the tracks, that is of course an immediate safety issue, putting themselves and others in danger\u201d, a ProRail spokesperson explained. \u201cSo that is grounds for a report in any case. And it is also a punishable offense. That is also why the police come by to remove them from the tracks.\u201d<\/p>\n

The infrastructure manager also emphasises that it respects the right to protest. \u201cIt is an important right, but it is also important that people abide by the law. As soon as safety is compromised, we have to take action. And material damage must, of course, also be recovered.\u201d<\/p>\n