Last week, starting shot for the first Swe[ds_preview]den Xpress has been given in the port of Ghent. The rail connection is the 8th in the European Green Xpress Network of B Logistics. It links the Belgian port with Sweden.
This way, B Logistics boosts the intermodal and conventional rail transport in Europe. Cargoes coming from Ghent port will be transported to Antwerp to connect with the Sweden Xpress.
The Sweden Xpress is the first Xpress connection that has been developed on demand by the intermodal market. But the train will also be completed with conventional cargoes. Considering the specific demand of a number of shippers in port of Ghent, a regular feeder train will be running in order to bring cargoes from the Ghent region to Antwerp to connect them with the Sweden Xpress.
Major port facilities with rail connection
Ghent Port Company continues to focus on sustainable transport between its port and the hinterland. Today, this transport takes up more than 10 % of the port’s modal split. The aim is to achieve 15 % in the future say the Belgians. Moreover, the larger part of the quays in the port is fitted with rails and extra rail (bundles) are being invested in at the Kluizendok.
Year after year, Sweden has been one of the major trading partners of Ghent port. This train connection will continue to stimulate this position. The Sweden Xpress links Belgium (with Antwerp-North as a hub) three times a week with Sweden (with Malmö as a hub). From the Swedish side, partner Green Cargo takes care of the ‘last mile’ and in the short term connections are planned with Denmark and Norway.
The train needs 21 hours from marshalling station to marshalling station.
