New railway undertakings for first and last mile traffic in Port of Antwerp-Bruges announced
Jul 29, 2025
From January 2026, new railway companies will organise first and last mile traffic in the Antwerp port area. This is part of an operational plan to optimise freight transport by rail and increase the share of rail in the port. A joint rail vision of Port of Antwerp-Bruges, Railport and INFRABEL lays the foundation for various initiatives.
On behalf of the industry and shippers, Railport has been organising traffic for conventional single wagon load (SWL) and block trains via fixed zones in the port since 2024. Railport appoints a railway company for each zone to carry out the first and last mile journeys. This offers a number of advantages, such as greater efficiency and flexibility, better use of port infrastructure and increased accessibility for smaller loads.
The following railway companies will be appointed per zone from 01/01/2026:
Area 1 – Kanaaldokken: Lineas
Area 2 – Buitenschoor: Lineas
Area 3 – Bevrijdingsdok: Lineas
Area 4 – Oorderen: Lineas
Area 5 – Old Port: Lineas
Area 6A – Petrol, IJsland, Amerika Zuid: HSL Belgium
Area 6B – Oosterweeleiland (Groenland, West Siberië, Rhodesië & Kongo): Lineas
Area 7 – Deep sea: Railtraxx
Area 8 – WLH: Railtraxx
Area 9 – Zwijndrecht: Railtraxx
The railway undertakings in area 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 will remain the same due to positive evaluations. The new tendering procedure for these areas will start in January 2026, informed a release.
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