North Sea Port and ProRail’s rail logistics vision focuses on increasing rail freight transport

North Sea Port and ProRail have adopted a joint rail logistics vision for the Dutch section of the port. With this vision, we are focusing specifically on further growth in rail freight transport and strengthening our mutual cooperation.  

The rail logistics vision puts the previously signed ‘Letter of Intent’ into concrete practice and simultaneously marks the formal launch of the joint port rail team, the ‘Rail Core Team’. With this core team, we are combining our expertise with ProRail to further develop rail transport in and around the port area as a sustainable and efficient link in the logistics chain with the European hinterland. 

Modal shift to rail 

The joint rail vision sets out various concrete measures designed to accelerate the modal shift from road to rail. In the short term, the focus is on utilising the existing rail infrastructure as efficiently as possible. The use of sensor data provides a better and up-to-date insight into track occupancy and usage. In addition, we are jointly exploring new concepts to further stimulate cooperation and opportunities for consolidation between shippers and carriers, even in a challenging market environment.  

Safety is also prominently featured in the vision. Further improving the safety of level crossings in and around the port area will be a clear priority in the coming period. For the longer term, we are continuing to work on structural solutions to infrastructure issues. These include the cross-border Rail Gent–Terneuzen project and the expansion of storage and shunting tracks in the Sloehaven in Vlissingen.  

Rail network in Zeelandic Flanders ready for 740-metre-long freight trains 

The rail network in Zeelandic Flanders is now capable of handling freight trains up to 740 metres in length. ProRail has carried out modifications to several marshalling yards in the region to achieve this. This will make rail transport in and around our port more efficient and better aligned with the European rail freight network. Longer trains provide greater transport capacity per train and contribute to a more sustainable and competitive logistics system in the port area. 

At the Sas van Gent marshalling yard, one track has been made available for the marshalling of these longer freight trains. Trains bound for DOW, EVOS and Bertschi, on the west side of the Ghent–Terneuzen Canal, can make use of this facility. At the Terneuzen-Zuid marshalling yard, one track has also been designated for 740-metre-long trains travelling via the Sluiskil Bridge to the east side of the Canal. This must be coordinated in advance with ProRail’s Traffic Control via a TRS Terneuzen (Time-Space Slot). In addition, at the Axel Aansluiting marshalling yard, one track is now available for these longer trains serving the terminals in the surrounding area. 

A leading European port with a focus on sustainable transport 

At North Sea Port, we are committed to our position as a leading European port, firmly embedded in the European TEN-T freight transport network, running from north to south and from west to east. With the new strategic plan Impact 2030, we are placing a clear focus on intermodal and sustainable transport, safety and a future-proof connection with the European hinterland. A well-considered and shared vision for rail freight transport is an essential building block in this regard. Together with ProRail, the joint Logistics Rail Vision for the Dutch part of our port area has been endorsed. This marks the next step in making rail freight transport more sustainable and strengthening the sector.